Willowdene Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are settled and happy at the nursery. They form positive relationships with their key persons and other staff. In particular, babies develop warm, caring bonds with the staff looking after them and with each other. For example, older babies know the other children's names and show that they are pleased to see their friends. Children take part in fun activities, where they explore and experiment and become engaged in their learning. For example, babies tipped and poured pasta into different containers. Older children became fascinated with collecting raindrops using different sized containers. They used a good range of mathematical language as they collected the raindrops. Children build on their own play such as toddlers who dug in the soil and then brought a familiar book to staff to read to them about 'squelching' through the mud. Children develop their independence well. They learn to manage their care needs such as using tissues and older children use the toilet and wash their hands by themselves. Children develop good confidence, including being able to manage risks, such as when balancing on the crates outside. Children learn to make their own choices. For example, toddlers use 'song spoons' to sing a variety of nursery rhymes.

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

• Children develop the skills and knowledge they need for the future. The curriculum is planned to help children move forward in their development in appropriate stages. For example, staff teach babies new words and encourage them to repeat these and toddlers are encouraged to put words together to make sentences. The older children show great confidence in speaking in front of a group, such as about the activities they have taken part in.
• Staff show they understand the curriculum well. They know what they want children to learn and be able to do as they move through the different rooms. Children's key persons know and understand where children are in their development and identify how to support them to make further progress. Where children may be making less than expected progress, staff take appropriate steps to link with parents and outside professionals to help children to catch up.
• Children mostly behave well. Staff encourage children to use good manners and to be kind to their friends. Staff give children plenty of warm praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements. This helps children feel self-assured. Children are shown respect by staff. For example, when toddlers are engaged in activities they are not disturbed for routine care needs, such as nappy changes. At times, some children do not receive consistent support to help them manage their feelings and develop better relationships with other children. Although, staff have some good agreed strategies, these are sometimes not used effectively.
• Staff support each other to develop good practice, such as through observing each other and giving feedback. This helps staff to reflect on their practice and teaching and identify improvements. Sometimes, staff do not communicate effectively with each other. This leads to times when there is some disorganisation which, on occasion, affects children's individual needs being fully met.
• Leaders have reflected well on the quality of the provision since the last inspection. They have, despite the challenges of the pandemic, helped staff to develop their knowledge and understanding well. This includes through training days, staff supervision meetings and team meetings. This has helped to ensure new practices and staff's understanding is secure. Leaders support staff's well-being effectively. For example, through sharing positive feedback from parents and also having a staff member responsible for supporting their well-being.
• There are good partnerships and communication with parents. This promotes the sharing of information about children between parents and staff effectively. During the time of the nursery closure due to the pandemic, parents received regular information, including by email and telephone calls. Staff share ongoing information about children's care and learning at the nursery such as through an online system and discussions.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• build on the staff team work to ensure all children's individual needs are consistently identified and met
• support staff to implement the expected behaviour management strategies, to help children learn to manage their own feelings, and continue developing good relationships with other children.