The Wolds Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children benefit from being in the care of an exceptional, motivated, and professional staff team. Children receive the highest level of care and support. All children benefit from exciting, stimulating, and well-thought-out learning and development opportunities.

Babies are eager to take part in song times with staff. They make noises and copy actions as the staff sing songs. Children choose large, exciting props for themselves from the song bag. The staff know the children very well. The children demonstrate they feel extremely safe and secure in the staff's warm and nurturing care. The babies smile, make noises and snuggle into staff members for comfort.

Children's behaviour is excellent. They know what is expected of them and they can follow instructions from a very young age. Young children know where to find their coats when dressing to go out for a walk in the village. They sit down on the carpet area and wait for staff to help them. Older children know how to follow safety rules during science experiments. The setting has a set of 'golden rules', which represent children's interests.

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

• Leaders use their extensive knowledge and skills to lead staff in achieving the highest standards. High-quality education is a top priority. The well-designed curriculum enables staff to deliver exciting experiences for children, which are fantastically thought out. They provide 'awe and wonder' and children are excited and are eager to join in. Staff build on what children know and are skilled in progressing children on to the next stage of their education.
• As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders reflected on what gaps children have in their learning. The owner has recruited a speech and language therapist, to work in the setting for a couple of days a week. The therapist works with all children to offer a high level of language support. Staff are trained and mentored by the therapist to ensure that speech, language and communication are high priority.
• Children have excellent opportunities to access books and develop a love for reading. There are many cosy reading areas, where children can sit and enjoy books. The areas have an excellent array of resources, such as comfortable pillows, soft rugs, and mood lighting. Story boxes with a book and items relating to the story are regularly sent home with children. A lending book library is available in the reception area of the nursery. The community library bus visits the setting every month. Children access the library bus and choose books for the nursery.
• Parents are extremely happy with the nursery. They talk about how the nursery is the 'best ever' and they would '110% recommend' it to other families. Some parents are members of the 'Parent Forum Group' and act as 'critical friends' for the nursery. They meet every term and collect feedback and share this with the owner. Parents, who spoke to the inspector, talk about how the owner listens to feedback and takes action. The parent group raises funds for the nursery and the local community.
• Leaders highly value their staff at the nursery. They provide extensive training opportunities, to build staff skills. Recently, the owner has encouraged staff to lead parts of training, on a team day. Leaders are also observed by staff members to offer advice on improvements. Staff report that this has helped build on their confidence levels.
• Skilled support staff are in place for children who require additional help. They focus on what children can do, setting small achievable steps for the next stage of children's learning. They have highly effective partnerships in place to seek support for children when needed.
• Home learning is a big focus for leaders to support children's education. Leaders and staff ensure that activities are regularly sent home for children of all ages. Parents talk about how their children can describe what they have learned.