The Old Station Nursery, Granta Park

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive very happy and settle incredibly quickly. They are at the heart of this distinctive nursery. Leaders and staff create a warm and stimulating environment that ignites children's curiosity and interests. Staff encourage children to make informed decisions about what they would like to explore next. For example, in the garden, babies have an amazing time exploring the slides with support from nurturing staff, which builds on their gross motor skills and stamina. Older children explore the mud kitchen and engage in pretend play with their peers, while staff prompt them to recall past experiences. This helps build on children's understanding of the world and strengthens their social interactions.

Staff and leaders are very nurturing and supportive. They have high expectations of the children, who rise to the challenge exceptionally well. Children follow the nursery's routines and boundaries with confidence. They are positive and independent learners. For example, at mealtimes, babies feed themselves using a spoon, and older children assist with serving their own food. This helps children feel valued and involved during their time at this nursery.

Children behave well and show high levels of respect and consideration towards staff and their peers. They form strong relationships with the staff, who, in turn, respond to their needs with kindness and empathy. Staff recognise and value children's achievements and offer praise and affirmation. This contributes positively towards building on children's emotional resilience.

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

• Leaders and staff offer a diverse and inclusive practice. They take into account children's needs, abilities and interests when planning a wide array of inspirational activities. Children who speak English as an additional language and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported effectively in their learning journey. As a result, they make good progress in their learning.
• Staff are exemplary role models. They have good knowledge and understanding of children's development. They complete regular observations and assessments to track children's progress. In addition, staff identify next steps in children's learning, which they review regularly and share with the parents. However, on occasions, staff do not identify when children need higher levels of interaction and more challenge to consolidate and extend their learning further.
• Staff create amazing opportunities for children to build on their problem-solving skills and sense of discovery. Children successfully sort pom-poms by colour, using tweezers, and they fill and empty jugs to a certain limit. Children concentrate intently and persevere when challenges occur. They show high levels of determination in completing the tasks and feel proud of the end result. This also supports children's fine motor skills and mathematical skills.
• Babies have a wonderful time exploring animals and coloured foam. Staff name the animals, alongside sign language, and demonstrate the animal noises. Babies are fascinated to explore the texture and smell of the foam, while laughing and giggling contentedly. Furthermore, staff encourage babies to count the animals' legs and point at their body parts to further develop their numeracy skills and understanding of the world.
• Children develop a passion for reading from a very young age. Their natural curiosity is fostered through reading books independently or with staff. Children enjoy their favourite story about a super worm. Staff motivate children to observe the pictures and talk about how the characters are feeling. This helps enhance children's early reading skills, communication and language and emotional development.
• Leaders have an ambitious vision for their nursery. They reflect on their practice and aspire to deliver high-quality care and education. Leaders value staff and create a very positive and supportive culture. Staff receive focused supervision meetings and tailored training opportunities to ensure they benefit from good professional development opportunities. Leaders are committed to ensuring all children receive the best start to their early education. This is embraced by all staff with dedication and enthusiasm.
• Partnership with parents is effective. Parents value the stimulating environment and the extra-curricular activities provided. They feel involved in their children's learning and are grateful for the progress their children make. Parents comment that their children are always safe and happy at this nursery.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to adapt the quality of teaching and their interactions to ensure children's learning is suitably challenged and extended.