United Reformed Church Pre-School and Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children flourish in this stimulating learning environment. They are extremely excited to arrive and separate from carers with ease. The dedicated manager and her nurturing, enthusiastic team are at the door to welcome them. Children thoroughly enjoy dressing up as story characters for book week. They delight in showing off their outfits to staff, who enthusiastically encourage them to find the corresponding book.

Children experience exceptional learning opportunities in the nursery. The manager and her team plan an extremely interesting and challenging curriculum based upon children's interests. All activities are very carefully planned and adapted with clear intent for individual children's learning. For example, sand is used exceptionally well to support children's sensory development and mark-making skills. Furthermore, staff skilfully incorporate children's mathematical development by encouraging them to sort and count insects buried in the sand.

Children display exceptionally high levels of confidence. Young children are excited to sing rhymes and demonstrate sign language extremely well in front of their friends. Pre-school children talk very confidently to their friends, staff and visitors about family customs and celebrations. Children learn about the Chinese New Year. They excitedly tell everyone which animal corresponds to the year they were born in. Children then proceed to actively encourage staff and visitors to discover their lunar zodiac animal.

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

• Children make excellent progress in the nursery. Staff plan and monitor children's learning exceptionally well. They deliver a broad ranging curriculum which challenges all children. Staff revisit activities regularly. This allows them to accurately measure the impact of their teaching on children's development.
• Children of all ages display exceptionally high levels of curiosity in their play. Staff consistently encourage children to explore their ideas further. Children learn about dinosaurs. They eagerly investigate their various features, size and the footprints they leave. Staff immediately build on the children's enjoyment, encouraging them to examine and create their own fossils.
• The manager and staff are well qualified and highly knowledgeable about how children learn. They understand their role in supporting children's development in preparation for school extremely well. The manager and staff have introduced 'finger gym' activities and frequent dough activities. This encourages children to develop hand and arm strength in preparation for their emerging writing skills.
• During the COVID-19 lockdown, the manager and staff maintained close contact with families. They provided excellent ideas on how to continue children's learning at home. Staff took part in regular online story sessions for children to enjoy at home. The manager also provided exceptional practical and emotional support for parents during this difficult period.
• Children who speak English as an additional language are exceptionally well supported in the nursery. Staff work closely with parents to identify key words and phrases when children start. Routines are also shared with families from the start. Staff produce visual schedules which are also translated into children's home languages. This supports children to settle quickly in the nursery.
• Relationships between staff and families are outstanding. All parents spoken to were incredibly complimentary about the nursery and staff. They deeply value the kindness and support shown to children and families. Several parents have older children who previously attended the nursery. They recognise the high-quality learning opportunities staff provide. These parents comment on how this has enabled their children to thrive in school.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are extremely well supported in the nursery. The dedicated setting coordinator swiftly identifies when children may require additional support. She works closely with other professionals, families and staff. This enables her to establish activities and routines which support children's needs both at home and in the nursery extremely well.
• The manager is very committed to developing staff practice. She conducts regular high-quality appraisals and staff supervisions. Staff participate in a wide range of training opportunities to further broaden their exciting very good knowledge and skills. The well-established team of staff praise the manager for her dedication to the children and for developing the nursery. They also value the emphasis she placed on staff well-being, particularly during the pandemic.
• Staff place an exceptionally sharp focus on developing children's communication and language skills. They create an environment rich in new and descriptive vocabulary. Children enjoy numerous opportunities to explore songs and stories. They have extensive knowledge of Makaton, which they demonstrate throughout the day, for example when selecting fruit at snack time.