Tiny Turtles Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children of all abilities are settled, confident and very happy during their time in the welcoming nursery environment. They are eager to join in with the motivating activities that staff plan with secure knowledge of what children will enjoy. For example, children develop their mathematical skills as they become 'pirates' to uncover numbered hidden treasure. Children recognise the numbers they find with confidence and staff help them to put them in order. Children enjoy bringing their imagination to life. They are confident to communicate their own ideas as they pretend to be 'doctors' and 'nurses'. Children learn about the different ways to be creative. For instance, they enjoy exploring the different patterns they can make in paint as they use a fork.

All staff are positive role models. Children fully understand the expectations of their behaviour. They are polite and behave well. They are empathetic and kind. For example, children are understanding of other children's different personalities and abilities. Staff teach children the importance of healthy lifestyles. For instance, they independently follow thorough handwashing routines that staff show them. Children gain good physical skills. For example, they confidently and safely use a wide range of equipment, such as climbing walls and vertical ladders.

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

• Children are excited to come into the nursery and enjoy the company of staff and each other. Children feel safe and secure and initiate their own games with confidence. For example, children invite each other and staff to join them in making 'magic potions' as they excitedly mix water, flowers and glitter together.
• Staff support all children to make good progress. This includes children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). For example, staff implement strategies that support children effectively. This includes providing them with a wide range of resources to help them focus and support their development, such as sensory toys.
• Overall, the manager and staff establish positive partnerships with parents, who speak highly of them. Staff keep them well involved and informed about what their children have been enjoying during their time at the nursery. However, there is less information shared with parents regarding their children's individual next steps and how they can help support their children's development at home. This means that children experience inconsistent approaches at home and nursery.
• All children demonstrate a positive attitude towards their learning and overall, they are engaged in their learning experiences. They are generally happy and independent. For example, they are confident to choose their own play. However, staff have not considered how to further support children to achieve the most out of the quieter activities they wish to engage in. For instance, children who are listening to books are quickly distracted by louder play experiences happening in close proximity. Therefore, children lose interest and focus during calmer activities, such as reading.
• The manager closely monitors the good quality of education and care that staff provide. She regularly observes staff teach children and provides them with constructive and helpful feedback. Staff evaluate their practice together and discuss daily what went well and what they would like to enhance further. They use their findings to support their future activity plans.
• All staff attend regular and beneficial training. They have recently learned about the different ways to manage any challenging behaviour. This has helped staff to understand how to support children to express their feelings in effective ways. As a result, children behave well and self-regulate their emotions maturely.
• All staff ensure that the setting is inclusive and diverse. They help children gain a good understanding of other cultures and countries from around the world, including their traditions. For example, children learn about the festival of Eid.
• The manager and staff use additional funding well to support children's individual needs. They plan experiences within the community that children may otherwise not have. These help to build on their interests. For instance, children have enjoyed visiting a castle and travelling by train.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen the consistency of children's care and learning opportunities between home and the nursery
• review the organisation of the learning environment to enable children to be able to fully engage in more quiet and focused learning experiences.