Winterton House Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children's sheer excitement for the day ahead is evident as they enter the nursery. They eagerly run up to staff and are met with cuddles from the kind and welcoming adults. Parents feel that the nursery staff go above and beyond to support their families and the local community. Where possible, staff translate and speak with parents in their home languages. This helps families to integrate into the nursery.

Children have a wealth of activities on offer that engage them in play. Children's interests are supported in the curriculum. For example, following a recent fire alarm, the children are beginning to understand fire safety. Staff extended this interest further by arranging for the children to visit the local fire station.

Supporting local families is at the heart of the nursery's ethos. The staff and management team put extensive efforts into meeting their individual needs. Staff support children's transitions very well. For example, settling-in sessions are flexible and child-led. Staff support children moving on to school by holding meetings with teaching staff and taking children to visit local schools.

Children's behaviour is exceptional. They learn to manage their feelings and emotions and treat each other with kindness. Children flourish through the secure emotional attachments that are established with nurturing staff.

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

• The manager is an inspirational leader who ensures that all staff have the highest aspirations for children. Staff are fully supported to further their careers and professional development through robust supervision, mentoring and training opportunities. Staff say that they are extremely well supported. They enjoy working at the nursery and say that their well-being is a high priority. The manager disseminates good practice to other settings and local authorities, offering visits to the nursery and training sessions.
• The support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is superb. Staff work in partnership with parents and relevant professionals to put highly effective individual plans in place. Staff place a particular emphasis on developing children's communication and social skills. Staff provide regular small-group activities that are tailored to develop children's attention and listening skills. This helps children to catch up and focus. All children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds and children with SEND, achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Staff are kind and supportive. They know the children extremely well. Care practices focus on giving children choice. Staff are extremely sensitive. They attempt to gain consent from the children before taking them to the toilet or changing their nappy. Children are becoming increasingly independent. They serve their own snacks and self-select their own resources. Staff support children to manage their feelings and have empathy for each other. Staff are excellent role models.
• Staff provide clear boundaries and structure to children's learning and play. Children feel safe and confident as they explore and become deeply involved in their learning. Managers deploy staff strategically to ensure that children get the maximum benefit from all the opportunities on offer. Staff systematically and regularly focus their attention on children's progress and reflect deeply on the steps required for them to progress even further. Staff share their findings with parents and encourage them to contribute to their children's next steps.
• Developing children's language and literacy skills is given the utmost importance. Staff consistently have high-quality interactions with all the children. Children are developing a love of books. Staff have excellent storytelling skills. They use tone and diction to bring stories alive. Children are totally absorbed as they listen intently. Staff have included books in each area of the nursery. For example, children look at different buildings in a book in the construction area.
• Staff support children's understanding of what makes them and others unique. Children learn about their own cultural heritage. Staff build on children's previous experiences. They regularly take the children to places in the local community, such as the library, parks and shops. The nursery holds regular community events, such as a recent Eid party, where parents and families made food and came along for singing, dancing and fun. Staff and children dressed up in cultural clothing. Parents commented that this makes them feel valued.