Willows Private Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy at the nursery. They have close bonds with staff, who are caring and nurturing. Babies show good attachments to staff, and babies play close to each other. This helps to promote children's social skills. Older children are confident and are independent individuals. They have good social and communication skills. Children are eager to learn and to know more about the world around them. Staff use stories to help children to learn about similarities and differences between the characters and themselves. Staff make stories interesting. They involve all children as they look closely at pictures and discuss what is happening. Staff check children's understanding and introduce them to new vocabulary. For example, children read a story about dressing up and pretend play. They select what they might like to dress up as and talk about pirates, wizards and dragons. Children explore the meaning of the word wand and relate this to their knowledge of 'people' being turned into 'frogs'.

Children behave well. Staff have clear expectations for children's behaviour. They make sure children are aware of the rules and of the boundaries in place. Children remind each other of the need to line up before they go outside so that staff can count how many children are present.

Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, parents are unable to enter the nursery building. Staff share information with parents on the telephone and through pictures to keep them up to date about their child's progress. Parents are happy with the setting. They speak highly about the staff and say staff share ideas to help them to support their children's learning at home.

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

• Leaders and staff work together to reflect on the setting and the service they provide for families. They identify any improvements that can be made and put plans in place to develop these. For example, the manager is keen to renovate the outdoor area. She intends to create an area where children can plant and grow fruit and vegetables. This will help them to learn more about the world around them.
• The management team monitors staff performance closely through regular observations and supervision. They provide regular training opportunities to help staff to develop their knowledge and skills. However, staff do not consistently utilise opportunities to fully extend and challenge children's learning to the highest level.
• Staff observe children during play to assess what they already understand, know and can do. They identify what children need to learn next and support them to achieve this through the experiences they offer. Staff use children's interests at nursery and from home to help them to maintain focus and engagement. Managers and staff work together to decide on wider topics they would like children to know more about. For instance, children learn about being healthy, different people, nature, the world and travel.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported particularly well. Staff quickly identify children who may need extra help. They work in partnership with parents and with outside agencies to provide children with the assistance they need to make progress.
• Overall, the quality of teaching is good. Staff help babies to develop their communication skills as they make pictures using glue and cotton balls. Staff ask questions and talk to babies throughout. They introduce words, such as 'sticky', 'drip' and 'spread'. Toddlers develop their social skills as they explore shaving foam with cars. They make marks and take turns to have races with staff, who are playful and energetic. Older children make mud pies outside. They share their creations with their friends and staff, counting out scoops equally. However, some activities are not always stimulating enough to fully engage younger children and to promote their learning to an even higher level.
• Staff encourage good hygiene procedures to help tackle the spread of infections. As a result, children learn why it is important to wash their hands regularly. Children have regular access to learn in the fresh air to support their health and well-being. Staff inspire children to keep active. Children ride on bicycles and on scooters, and they use a range of apparatus to support their physical skills.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• enhance teaching to give children further challenges to deepen and to extend their thinking skills
• provide more-stimulating activities to fully engage younger children and to promote their independence.