The Secret Garden

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are welcomed into a warm and inviting environment. They quickly develop a sense of security and belonging as they build positive relationships with staff. Children greet staff and their friends with a smile and hug on arrival. They develop high levels of confidence and self-esteem. For example, babies offer the inspector a spoon to join in an activity. Children tell the staff what they want and need to support their play. They show determination to continue trying when activities do not go as planned, such as when building with light-up blocks.

Children explore the wide range of activities and resources available to them. Babies develop their physical skills as they pull themselves up to stand. They use their senses to explore. Babies start to show good control as they use spoons to empty and fill containers, showing good concentration. Toddlers enjoy making marks using the wheels on small plastic cars and paint. They show good levels of engagement during singing time as they begin to join in with familiar songs. Older children develop their thinking skills through open-ended play activities. They show excitement to engage in new activities, such as making rainbows and potions. Children develop their vocabulary as they learn new words, such as 'transparent', during activities.

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

• The management team is passionate and dedicated to placing children at the centre of all it does. Managers' energy and passion sift down throughout the whole staff team. Management and staff work together to evaluate the nursery as they continuously strive to improve and embed good practices further. As a result, the staff team has a good knowledge of the areas of strength and the improvements needed for the nursery. For example, staff have recently developed additional learning experiences outdoors.
• Children's mathematical development is supported through a range of activities. Staff introduce simple counting as children build with bricks. They help children use new language to describe different sizes, such as 'taller'. Older children are encouraged to develop an interest in numbers through activities such as measuring.
• The staff know the children well. As a result, children's development is well supported. Staff complete accurate assessments and plan children's next steps with parents. They work with parents to find out about children's achievements and experiences at home. This enables staff to plan meaningful learning for children. Staff identify where additional support is needed and take steps to act on this quickly. However, at times, some children who need additional support are not always supported in practice as effectively as they could be.
• Children love outdoor play. Babies laugh as they splash in the water. Older children develop small-muscle skills as they design with the play dough and pretend to make birthday cakes and aliens. Children enjoy the sensory exploration of running their hands and feet through the sand. They explore the natural area, digging in the mud as they look for 'wiggly worms'. Children develop control as they explore different ways of moving, such as crouching and crawling.
• Parents speak highly of the nursery. They value the frequent communication and focus sessions that are available to them. Parents find the home-learning activities useful and enjoy doing these with their children. They describe the support for children's communication and language as 'amazing'. Parents feel well supported by the nursery team, which has created positive partnership working.
• Children learn about health and hygiene routines. They wash and dry their own hands. Children are encouraged to brush their teeth daily and take part in activities that support their understanding of oral health. They learn about healthy eating and are encouraged to try new foods, such as mushrooms. This supports children to develop healthy lifestyles.
• Communication and language are the main focus within the nursery. The language lead supports the team through modelling activity ideas and teaching. Staff develop children's interest in stories and singing as part of this focus. Children of all ages show high levels of engagement and enjoyment during these times. Babies look with fascination to see what object will come next from a story bag. They bang and shake instruments during singing time. Toddlers and pre-school children develop a love of books and favourite stories, and they become actively involved in story time, such as using props.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support children who need additional support in more consistent and effective ways.