White Stork Nursery at The Tannery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children make remarkable progress during their time in the nursery. The carefully thought-out learning environment reflects a precisely designed and sequenced curriculum. This means children have autonomy in their play and learning. They follow their interests and consistently build on what they already know and can do. Many children exceed the expectations for their age, particularly in communication and language. Throughout their play and learning, children are encouraged to use new vocabulary. Children confidently tell visitors that they love pouring water, that they are going to preschool soon, and the Gruffalo has 'purple prickles all over his back'. All children are highly motivated and excited to join in with activities. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) enjoy a wealth of tailored learning that helps them make the best possible progress.

Children's transition into the nursery starts with a visit to their home from their key person and buddy. This is a comfortable introduction to the staff who will be caring for them and helps parents share detailed information about children's home routines, interests and abilities. As a result, children settle quickly into busy nursery life. They soon form strong relationships with other staff and their peers. Children learn to be highly respectful of other people because they are guided by excellent role models. They behave very well. They gain exceptional social skills through cooperative play, listening to others, sharing ideas, and knowing what is expected of them.

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

• Leaders are highly ambitious in their drive to provide superb care and learning, not only in their nursery but across the early years sector. They connect with their community and other providers to share training and outstanding practice. Leaders' passion is reflected in the exceptional staff team, who are excited about the next steps for their professional development. Leaders systematically observe and analyse their practice, and actively encourage staff, children and parents to identify areas for change.
• Staff promote children's love of reading and books highly successfully. They carefully select stories that support children's communication through repetition and descriptive language. Children are highly engaged as they pay attention and listen, participating in the story when staff pause to explore what children can remember. Stories, such as the Gruffalo, are brought to life during trips to the woods. Children collect sticks that look like the Gruffalo's claws. They think about animal habitats. For instance, they know fish have gills to live under water, and foxes live in dens underground. Leaders extend children's love of books by hiding books in the community for children to find and read at home.
• Staff use their training well to provide children with innovative activities that support them to develop a wide range of skills. For example, they promote children's understanding of their community and what makes them unique. Children talk about who lives in their home, the people who are special to them, and the roles their parents have. During the activity, children depict their discussions in drawings of their families, using bright coloured crayons on polished blocks of wood. Staff introduce mathematical concepts when they encourage children to think about who is tallest or smallest.
• Children build their physical skills highly successfully during outdoor play. Leaders provide an exceptionally well-equipped outdoor area. Children develop balance, coordination and strength as they navigate wobbly obstacle courses. A stile provides them with a different challenge and a different way of moving. All children are busy, as they move and combine resources around the garden. They explore quantity and measure during their water play. Children grow vegetables in see-through troughs so they can monitor growth and change. Vegetables are used in a huge variety of delicious home-cooked meals prepared by the nursery chefs.
• Partnerships with parents and carers are outstanding. Leaders ensure they are fully involved in nursery life, promoting a shared approach that helps children to excel. Parents and carers receive a wealth of information to support children's learning at home and keep them safe. Parents say staff are naturally incredible at what they do. They describe leaders as knowledgeable, skilled and passionate, providing a truly enriching experience for children through days that are purposeful and filled with care.