Toad Hall Nursery Berkhamsted

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children show their enjoyment of attending this welcoming nursery. They settle quickly and build secure relationships with staff. Children enjoy their play and become engrossed in this. For example, older children pick mint and add this to the 'carrot and blueberry soup' they are making. They concentrate as they add further 'ingredients', comparing the colours of their mixture to the plants they are growing. Children persist at tasks, responding to staff's enthusiasm and their belief in children's abilities. For example, young children persevere at arranging bricks until they are satisfied that these represent the large, medium and small bowls in their story.

Children respond to staff's high expectations and their good role modelling. Their behaviour is good and they consider the needs of others. For example, older children pour glue into pots and ask their friends if they would like help with this or would like to try it themselves. Specific activities help children understand healthy practices. For instance, children using toothbrushes to clean laminated pictures of teeth explain how the brush removes food from the teeth. Vigilant staff ensure children are safe and support them in understanding safety. For instance, children finish playing with coloured dough and decide to pick up the dough from the floor 'in case someone slips over'.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support all staff to continue to develop their practice, to raise the quality of teaching to consistently high standards.