The Willows Daycare Limited

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this nursery because staff use their expert knowledge and skilful interactions to create a safe, rich learning environment for all children attending. A meticulously planned, ambitious curriculum captures children's interests and growing skills. Children demonstrate they are self-assured, confident and eager to explore activities available to them. Children arrive eager to start their day. They are greeted by kind, happy staff who are genuinely pleased to see them. Children quickly become engrossed in their self-chosen tasks. The nursery curriculum has a strong focus of supporting children's personal, social and emotional development. They follow children interests and also promote some principles of the curiosity approach. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make sustained progress from their starting points. They rapidly develop the skills they need to be ready for the next stage in learning and the move to school.

Children flourish in the large outdoor learning environment. They show complete fascination in everything around them. Children use authentic resources to investigate. They show resilience as they manage problems for themselves. Children invite staff and friends to join their bus ride and offer golden coins to use as payment. They are fully engrossed in their creative activities and explain about their magical journey and travels on the bus. Skilful staff engage children in meaningful conversations and children ask many questions. Children have established close and trusting bonds with the staff who are excellent role models. Staff speak respectfully to the children who understand the consistent, high expectations and their behaviour is very good.

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

• Quality of teaching is outstanding. This is because staff regularly monitor and review the progress of individual children. They use this detailed information alongside extensive reflection and discussion during staff briefings. Together, the management and staff plan sharply focused support to ensure each child has learning tailored to their specific interests and needs. Additional funding received is purposefully targeted to close gaps in learning and achieve the best possible outcomes for all children.
• Staff are highly motivated and committed to provide positive outcomes for all children attending. They speak with enthusiasm about their role and say they are fully supported by the management. They welcome opportunities to build on their already secure knowledge, through training opportunities, to enhance their own professional development.
• Staff know the children extremely well. They invest time getting to know what the children like and have established close bonds with all the children. Superb, professional relationships have been formed with the parents who are positively encouraged to share information about their children's development. They welcome the use of exciting learning and story sacks that are offered to continue learning at home.
• Staff provide a wealth of support for all children including those with SEND. They complete robust support plans that include all those involved in the children's learning and promote an inclusive environment. As a result, all children make very good progress and are fully integrated in nursery life.
• Children have a strong sense of self. They are confident and initiate their own games. Children demonstrate incredible imagination as they work together in small groups. They negotiate how to toast windfall apples they find on their pretend bonfire under their makeshift shelter. They show sustained concentration and perseverance as they attach apples to sticks. Staff are skilful in their interactions. They recognise the importance of allowing children time to discover for themselves, but are close by to facilitate and challenge their thinking.
• Babies thoroughly enjoy bouncing on trampolines, splashing in water play and learning the skills needed to use a spinner. Their individual routines are fully considered. They are made comfortable in cosy cots when they are tired and offered their comforters. Babies enjoy cuddles as staff soothe them to sleep.
• Parents speak highly of the homely nursery. They say it is 'such as special place' where their children are cared for by nurturing staff who celebrate their children's achievements, however small. They were keen to express their sincere gratitude for the support they receive as a family.
• Children demonstrate a wide and varied vocabulary. Children make progress in their speech and language as staff continually engage children in conversation. Children excitedly join in organised, singing and dancing sessions. They are keen to learn new things and proudly show their parents, who are invited to participate, their new skills and knowledge.