The WonderWorks @ Leavesden

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children enjoy their time in this welcoming nursery. They settle quickly and display high levels of confidence and self-esteem. They develop warm and caring relationships with staff and from a young age develop friendships with each other. This helps children to feel safe and secure.

Children engage in a wide range of stimulating and enjoyable experiences. They particularly enjoy the outdoor environment, which provides wonderful opportunities for them to use their imaginations, exploring the many different areas. Children learn about nature as they happily search for insects and build spider houses in the undergrowth. They gather water in their watering cans from the drainpipe waterfall, to put out 'the fire'. Children develop their physical skills and build confidence, as they negotiate and balance on the rope bridge or the tyre swing. Younger children develop their small-muscle control, as they concentrate on pinching and popping bubble wrap. They are surprised and delighted with their achievement.

Children's behaviour is good. They know the routines and play well together. Staff consistently praise children which enhances their sense of belonging and gives them a sense of pride and achievement. Toddlers learn to share toys and negotiate as they play with the activities. Older children recognise when to wait and take turns. They are kind and help each other to take part when playing together.

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

• Staff develop a broad and balanced curriculum, which considers children's interest and next steps. Staff create a positive and purposeful environment to ensure children make good progress developing skills for their move to school. Children are inquisitive learners who show good levels of motivation and concentration.
• The quality of teaching across the setting is good. Staff use information gained from their observations and assessments to accurately identify the next steps in children's learning. However, on occasion, some activities are not planned as well as they could be. As a result, some children do not fully benefit from the experience.
• Children learn to keep themselves safe, as they carefully focus and concentrate when using a small hammer and nails to complete a picture. They recognise the colours of different pieces of wood and the shape and size needed to replicate a design. Staff skilfully support their learning by asking if they need a shorter or longer piece and counting the number of nails. They encourage children to use their vocabulary to explain what they are doing.
• Children learn about good hygiene and healthy eating, as they prepare the snack fruits for all children. They carefully wash their hands to prevent the spread of germs and place a net hat on their head to prevent any hair falling into food. Children develop their communication and language skills, as they cheerfully talk with staff about different fruits and how these grow, and that the tomato is the only fruit that grows in the ground. Staff introduce mathematical language as children cut the fruits into quarters and halves and count the pieces of banana and pear. Children learn about recycling, placing their used hats in the correct bin.
• Staff promote children's independence throughout the day. Children carefully fill their water glass to manageable levels and are gently reminded by staff how to use cutlery. They skilfully serve themselves at mealtimes and tidy away their used plates when they have finished. Children, including toddlers, know the daily routines and put on their coats and wellies before going to play outdoors.
• Children expand their love of literacy. They listen and eagerly take part in story times and happily choose books throughout the day to sit and look through.
• Staff build strong relationships with parents. They speak highly about the service and communication they receive from the nursery and are extremely pleased with the progress their child makes.
• The manager supports staff effectively through supervision meetings and observations of their practice. Staff can access online training. However, some staff are less confident in aspects of their learning.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• consider the interests of all children during activities to enhance their enjoyment and engagement in their learning
• continue to sharply focus training to support staff to grow in confidence and further develop their knowledge and skills.