Wimbledon Day Nursery II

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children flourish at this inviting nursery. Babies arrive extremely happily, holding their hands out to be cuddled, while older children run over to adults as they are greeted. Children have access to a calm, nurturing environment where they thrive and develop their individuality. The learning opportunities on offer are so stimulating that children spend most of their play highly engaged. Babies show their fascination and motor skills, delighting in sensory water play. Toddlers show exceptional concentration when using props to tell stories, while older children become engrossed in role play around aeroplanes.

Adults place a strong focus on well-being and self-regulation. They purposefully plan physical activities, such as yoga, at key times of the day. Children confidently manage their own behaviour extremely well, locating areas to rest and regulate feelings while smelling lavender to stay calm. Adults have established secure, trusting relationships with children. They consistently praise and encourage them to keep trying. This supports children to develop their confidence and strong self-worth.

Enthusiastic leaders and staff ensure that a broad, ambitious curriculum is in place. They support children to ignite their awe and wonder. Children harmoniously beam with delight as they hear communication through a walkie-talkie while learning about air marshals. All staff have high expectations for all children. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language are thriving. Leaders ensure early identification and intervention through language and social interaction groups to ensure these children make fantastic progress.

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

• Leaders and staff implement a curriculum that is inspirational and well structured. They know the children exceptionally well and develop individual milestones through their interests and abilities. The curriculum is rich in language, and cultural capital experiences are embedded strongly throughout. Children participate in focused language groups alongside reading and counting in languages that reflect the diverse children that attend. This supports children to make rapid progress in language development.
• Mathematical concepts are weaved throughout the curriculum. Children confidently count and use language relating to quantity and size during play. They measure and cut tape as they build their own cruise ships. This supports them to develop a deeper understanding of numbers. Younger children learn early prepositions by playing ball games using a parachute. They are encouraged to be creative, and adults show enthusiasm as they join role-play scenarios created by children. This enhances children's imagination and freedom of expression.
• Children are incredibly independent throughout the day. All ages of children serve themselves and tidy up after themselves. Older children confidently have self-help skills mastered, and adults build on these strengths by giving out responsibilities. Adults teach children essential skills for later life, such as democracy. Children use voting stations with scales and stones to make choices. This helps teach children about respect and living in modern Britain.
• Adults place a strong emphasis on embedding gross motor skills. All children are physically active, participating in large- and small-scale movements. Outdoors, children play cooperatively, use pedal bikes and navigate the space as they run. Adults use their expertise to purposely plan activities to support the development of large and small muscles. This sets children up for excellent progress in physical development and early writing abilities.
• Parents are extremely happy with the nursery and consistently comment on the fantastic support they receive from staff. Parents agree that their children thrive at the nursery and are extremely well-prepared for school. Parents receive an abundance of information through an app, including how to continue to support development at home. Staff use information shared by parents to build on the topics and interests of the children. They invite parents into the nursery to share their knowledge and skills and to celebrate cultural events. This supports children to learn about diversity within families.
• Leadership is exceptionally strong. Leaders provide robust and regular opportunities for professional development. They use supervision and targets to ensure that support has a direct impact on teaching quality. Leaders ensure that staff consistently use early identification for children with SEND, immediately putting support in place and working closely with local authority professionals. This ensures these children make excellent progress. Leaders are highly reflective and are dedicated to evaluating the effectiveness of the nursery.