Wellington Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children and babies joyously enter the friendly nursery, welcomed by incredibly nurturing and caring staff. Flexible and reassuring settling-in sessions ensures they instantly feel safe and build trusting relationships with their key person. Soothing nursery rhymes and a focus on natural, real-life resources creates a calming and homely atmosphere. When children notice differences in some fresh tulips, highly skilled staff use this opportunity to extend their learning, discussing growth and introducing new vocabulary such as 'bud' and 'blossoming'. These purposeful, often one-to-one staff interactions mean all children, including children who speak English as an additional language, make rapid improvements in their speech and language development.

Emotional and physical well-being is paramount. Babies flourish and develop their confidence and muscle strength by climbing soft-play apparatus in preparation to walk. The cosy sleep room means they thrive from restful and uninterrupted asleep. Weekly forest school and regular trips to the allotment mean children learn to solve problems, build positive peer relationships and gain a respect for nature. Children are empathetic and exceptionally well behaved. Staff use visual prompts to support children's understanding about why behaviour rules exist. These strategies are phenomenally effective, demonstrated when children point to red boundary flags to tell visitors where it is safe to play in the forest.

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

• Overall, teaching is superb. The meticulously designed and ambitious curriculum for all, is embedded securely and consistently across the nursery. Staff know their children magnificently well, enhanced by gathering in-depth information from a home visit before they start. Consequently, children benefit from sequenced learning which builds on their unique interests and what they know and can do. For example, children who prefer learning though sensory play, contentedly develop their concentration skills when rolling different objects down tubes that splash into water.
• The way that staff champion children's individuality is exemplary. Babies respond with affirming smiles and giggles as they enjoy the familiarity of staff saying 'hello' and 'goodbye' to them in their native language. Diverse music, songs and stories they experience at home are shared in the setting. These contribute to children's appreciation of diverse communities and fosters a positive and respectful culture.
• Exceptional levels of parental involvement, robust assessment and highly knowledgeable staff ensure that any gaps in children's learning are identified promptly and reduced. The nursery recently introduced a family support practitioner which further strengthens partnership working with outside professionals and agencies. Additionally, small bespoke group activities ensure that all children, including children who receive additional funding, have tailored directed support to succeed. As a result, all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make significant progress in all areas of learning.
• Inclusive books and mark-making tools are strategically placed at activities. These prompt discussions and extend early literacy skills and prepare children for transitions to school.
• Staff consistently provide meaningful praise for children's efforts and kind actions to others. Staff are expert role models. They teach coping strategies through daily yoga, such as taking deep breaths when children feel overwhelmed or encounter difficulties. Parents report an overwhelming improvement in behaviour and self-esteem, as children are independently using these techniques at home to self-regulate.
• Healthy lifestyles are rigorously promoted. Children's specific and sometimes complex health needs are given top priority from staff. Children experience growing vegetables and herbs. They cook meals with these and learn about healthy diets. The implementation of a daily teeth cleaning routine is highly successful with an added visit from the dentist.
• Parents report how affectionate staff go above and beyond in providing effective care practices which promote children's confidence, resilience and independence. Babies and young children become increasingly independent in their self-care needs, empowered and motivated by their freedom to learn through trial and error. Children show determination and perseverance as they practise cutting their fruit for snack.
• Staff morale is high. The management team is extraordinarily passionate about supporting and listening to staff, children and families. Staff's professional development is motivated by this inspirational leadership, and they successfully deliver new initiatives which enhance children's learning experiences and positive outcomes.