Tiddlywinks Day Nursery Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), flourish and succeed at this remarkable nursery. Classrooms are full of chatter and excitement as there is so much to talk about. Children behave exceptionally well. They learn to respect each other because of staff's expert modelling and guidance for how they should behave. Children are happy at the nursery and make lots of friends. Staff are very respectful to new babies when they arrive. They gently rock babies in their arms and hum quietly. Babies respond by gazing into their key carer's eyes. This helps them to settle and feel at ease.

Children learn to think carefully and to ask questions. They develop a thrill and desire for learning new knowledge, such as when staff expertly help them to dissect an ox's heart. Children develop an impressive depth of knowledge, including about science. This is because staff believe that children deserve the very best curriculum. They teach children to use and understand fascinating new words, such as 'investigate' and 'heart valve'. Children learn innovative new words in context.

The children observe the behaviour of the nursery's Giant African Snails, Julia and Donald. They keenly protect Pat the chicken, as well as learning where eggs come from. Two-year-old children learn to implement the agreed plan for caring for Toto, the nursery tortoise. They use small toothbrushes to gently clean the tortoise's shell. Through these well-organised learning activities, the children develop a deep, meaningful understanding of the world around them.

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

• Leaders provide children with an exceptional curriculum. Highly expert staff develop children's knowledge, skills and interests very well. Children know what they are learning about and why. For example, every morning, children, including two-year-olds, make their own play dough by following written and pictorial instructions. Children are very well prepared for their future learning.
• Staff know what to teach children and when. They help babies to grasp a spoon at mealtimes. Staff deliberately build on this learning in well-considered steps. They guide older children to use serving tongs to serve food to themselves and other children at lunchtime. Staff's expert teaching helps children to develop their knowledge and many new skills.
• The superbly trained staff team welcome children's chatter, babies' babbles and inquisitiveness. This encourages babies and children to want to talk even more. Staff make skilful use of well-chosen stories and songs to develop children's love of language. Children become confident and articulate talkers.
• The manager and staff go above and beyond when supporting children's personal development. Children develop a deep understanding of how to look after their local environment, for example through their regular litter picking outings with staff. They frequently share stories and sing songs with residents at a local elderly care home. Children have an exceptionally well-developed respect for older people.
• Nursery staff provide high-quality nutritious meals for children. The nursery's catering manager takes extra care to ensure that she knows every child's dietary needs, such as if a child has food allergies. She contacts all new parents to check on children's food experiences and enhances this even further. Babies receive individually tailored meal plans when weaning. Children develop a very healthy attitude towards eating and keenly eat up all their lunch.
• Staff accurately assess what children can do. They skilfully use this information when deciding what children will learn next. Staff spot when children need extra help in their learning. They act quickly to ensure that children are included and have their needs met. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) works expertly with staff and other professionals to ensure that children with SEND are fully included and have the same opportunities as their peers. Children with SEND experience an exceptionally well-planned transition to primary school.
• Staff provide wonderful opportunities for children to talk about their feelings and needs. Children develop empathy and the ability to respond sensitively to the feelings of others.
• Leaders use their detailed knowledge of the nursery's strengths and priorities to provide staff with extensive support and exceptional training. Staff very competently improve the curriculum and their work with children. The manager ensures that staff have a very well-balanced workload.
• Parents are very appreciative of the strong relationships and regular communication that they have with staff. They are very complimentary of the staff's work with their children. Staff guide parents exceptionally well to support children's learning at home.