Watcombe Children's Centre Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children feel safe and secure at this welcoming nursery. Key persons warmly greet families at the door and children show an eagerness to start their day. Staff ensure children feel settled. They ask parents to send in photos of the family to create a special book that children can access throughout the day. Children enjoy looking at photos and talking about family members to help provide them with reassurance and comfort.

The nursery curriculum is planned effectively to build on children's current skills and abilities. Staff ensure children's communication and language is at the forefront. Staff consistently use sign language with children from an early age. Children quickly learn how to make their needs known. For example, babies begin to learn gestures such as pointing and older children use words to accompany their actions.

Children behave well and have a positive attitude to learning. The nursery has puppet mascots, 'Smokey' the careful squirrel, 'Oliver' the thoughtful owl and 'Rosie' the kind robin. These help to promote positive behaviours and support children with their feelings and emotions. Staff also use these to help children learn social skills such as teamwork and sharing.

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

• Leaders and staff attend regular training and consistently research new ideas to help continue their good practice. For example, staff implement strategies to help older children learn how many items they have in a group without counting them to support their mathematical development. Additionally, staff recognise when children may become overwhelmed from sensory experiences and have created a 'well-being room' where children can relax in a quiet space.
• Babies show a keen interest in songs and maintain their attention well, such as during group singing time. Staff encourage older babies to copy the actions, say single words and to use props to support their communication skills. Babies listen carefully, waiting for staff to sing their name within the song. When it is called, older babies know it is their turn to go and wash their hands in preparation for lunch. They understand routines well.
• Toddlers show a keen interest in nature and the world around them. For example, they excitably go on a 'bug hunt', using their magnifying glasses. Staff encourage them to gently pick up their insect and to place it in a special pot so they can examine it more carefully. Children use clear sentences to talk about what they have found.
• Older children learn how to manage risks effectively. They confidently climb trees and hang upside down from branches. Children carefully balance wooden blocks to stand on so they can reach the higher branches, pretending to saw these off. They also enjoy batting balloons that staff hang from trees to encourage their hand-eye coordination. Children understand the risks and learn about their own capabilities.
• Children enjoy the responsibility of looking after the nursery guinea pigs 'Marigold' and 'Rosie-Posie'. Each day, a 'special helper' is nominated to look after them, providing children with the responsibility of caring for pets. Children learn about how to keep them safe and well cared for.
• Older children enjoy woodwork sessions. Staff teach them how to use specific tools, such as saws, hammers and a vice. Children practise cutting thick pieces of cardboard to begin with to help develop their skills. Staff celebrate their achievements.
• Overall, staff help build on children's current learning. For instance, they talk to children about their pictures using words such as 'artist'. They engage with children well, explaining how they are going to make a mosaic using dough and pasta sheets. Staff show pictures to children of stained-glass windows and what they will be creating. However, staff do not consistently help all children to recall prior knowledge to help them make connections to previous experiences to enhance their learning.
• The nursery has formed strong relationships with parents and carers. They provide a robust settling-in procedure, gathering important information from parents about children to ensure they settle quickly. Staff provide book bags and activity packs that children can take home, helping to promote a consistent approach to learning.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help children to recall and connect experiences to further enhance their learning.