The Old School House Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The nursery is a hive of learning, fun and activity. All children benefit from an extremely safe and stimulating environment. During national lockdowns, due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, parents appreciated the additional contact and support they received from the nursery to support children's development. Children benefited from activities they received and were able to listen to stories read by the staff. They were also able to participate in online gardening clubs. Children are completely engrossed in their learning from the moment they enter the nursery until the end of their session. Staff plan an awe-inspiring, precisely tailored curriculum and reflect children's experiences and interests all around the nursery. Children have formed wonderful friendships and secure attachments with staff. They are extremely busy and know what is expected of them. They behave exceptionally well and treat each other with kindness and respect.

All the children thrive on the rich experiences that help them to learn about the world around them. For example, children relish looking at the sticks and leaves they have found in the excellent outdoor area. They talk about the changing seasons and why leaves fall off the trees. They identify why the leaves change colour and shape. Children use their collected items to create stick people, butterflies, and wands.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

• Staff build highly effective partnerships with parents and other providers that children also attend. Parents know what staff are working on to support their child's development. Parents receive exceptional support and guidance from staff. Parents comment that 'the nursery has played a pivotal role in developing the children into confident, independent and sociable young people'.
• Staff plan a curriculum to give children excellent opportunities to develop their speech and language skills. For example, children learn new words, such as 'rough and 'bumpy', when painting on pumpkins. Staff ask older children questions that encourage detailed replies. This helps extend their thinking and vocabulary further.
• Children are extremely well supported to develop important independence skills and learn how to keep themselves safe. Prior to lunchtime, older children are selected to be helpers and set up the tables for others. Children relish the opportunity to chop their own Yorkshire puddings and toddlers learn how to hold the knife safely.
• Children develop positive relationships and make friends easily with others who attend. They work together on chosen tasks. For example, they build intricate three-dimensional structures. They follow the instruction plans they have drawn and create a farm. They find resources within the room to add to their farm, developing their creativity. For example, they use a fish slice to make a wind turbine and a wooden block to represent a hay bale. They stand back proudly with staff to look at their creations and they take photos to send to parents.
• Managers and room leaders undertake regular supervisions and peer-to-peer observations with staff. They deliver team training to ensure that staff feel valued and respected. The manager provides regular staff meetings and focuses on the mental health and the well-being of all staff. There is an exceptional drive to target professional development. This enhances the experiences for children and helps them to achieve their best. All staff feel extremely well supported and staff morale is exceptional.
• The manager and staff have a clear vision for the nursery. They have a highly effective self-evaluation. Parents positively share their views through the use of questionnaires and personal consultations.
• The nursery is part of a wider village community, which is at the heart of their curriculum. Managers and staff involve village residents in activities and seasonal celebrations. In addition, children deliver pictures and harvest gifts to the village residents. Children benefit from the use of resources and activities available in this welcoming community. This further enhances their knowledge and experiences of people and the community that they live in.