The Pelican Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children show they feel extremely safe and happy in this calm and welcoming learning environment. Staff are positive role models and plan a good range of activities to capture children's interest. Children show positive attitudes towards learning and good engagement as they play and explore. Staff have high expectations of children's capabilities. They evidently thrive and flourish under their care. Children have fun singing a variety of nursery rhymes, and staff join in with enthusiasm and give lots of encouragement to make singing an engaging and enjoyable experience. This helps children to hear new vocabulary and to develop an awareness of rhythm and rhyme.

Children show good concentration as they wash some dolls with water and soap. Staff support children to hear new words such as 'bubbles' as they play. They also encourage children to name the dolls different body parts, expanding their language skills. Furthermore, children like exploring different animals in soil and grass and discuss how an elephant is 'big' and a crocodile 'snaps'. This builds their knowledge of animals and the wider world.

Staff are very nurturing and encouraging. They give children lots of praise as they play and are skilled at helping them to share and take turns. Children behave very well and show that they have a good bond with their peers and the kind and attentive staff.

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

• The manager and staff build trusting relationships with parents and children. They implement a very 'child focused' settling-in process where they take time to get to know children's individual routines, interests and developmental needs. They then use this knowledge to plan motivating activities and a broad curriculum. This helps children to learn new knowledge and skills and to close any gaps in their development. Children make good progress and enjoy their time at this loving and fun nursery.
• Staff successfully support children to develop a strong sense of belonging. Staff know children very well and understand their unique personalities and preferences. Children show high levels of emotional well-being and are evidently content and secure.
• Children have very good opportunities to play and learn outdoors in the spacious and well-equipped garden. Staff provide daily opportunities for children to ride on bikes, to climb and slide and to develop their balance and gross motor skills. Furthermore, children enjoy exploring plants and flowers and gain an appreciation for nature and a love of outdoor exploration.
• Staff promote positive behaviour in an effective way. They provide children with clear explanations about sharing and being kind. Children show they understand routines and boundaries very well. They help to tidy up and listen attentively during small-group activities, showing positive interest and engagement.
• Children are well supported to lead healthy lifestyles. For example, they benefit from a varied and nutritious menu that contains low levels of salt and sugar. They also play outdoors for over two hours on most days and benefit from lots of fresh air and exercise. This positively enhances their overall health and well-being.
• Parents are very complimentary about their children's experiences at the nursery. They highly value the caring staff and happy atmosphere they create. They also express that communication is excellent and that they feel well informed about their children's day, development and new achievements.
• The manager regularly reflects on the strengths of the nursery and includes parents', children's and other professionals' views when evaluating the effectiveness of the nursery. Staff complete mandatory training, such as first aid and safeguarding training, to help keep children safe. They also comment on recently completing music and movement training that has enhanced their provision for singing, dancing and enjoying action songs with children.
• Staff frequently engage in conversations and offer age-appropriate commentary as children play. Children respond positively to this and repeat words and respond happily throughout the day. However, on occasions, staff do not always extend children's language and learning to the very highest level. For example, when children show interest in a model elephant, they do not expand their vocabulary to discuss 'the long trunk' and 'large ears'.
• Children show good levels of independence for their age. They enjoy making choices about their play and feed themselves independently. However, at times, staff do not routinely support children to attempt some self-care skills for themselves before doing it for them. For instance, staff sometimes wipe children's noses without supporting them to try this themselves first. They also do not always ask for their consent before helping them.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen staff members teaching skills to further extend children's language development and learning to the very highest level
• implement consistent strategies for staff to support children to further develop their self-care skills.