Wisdom Kids Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and build secure relationships with their key person and the other staff. The staff get to know the children extremely well, which helps children feel secure. Children receive a warm welcome upon arrival and settle in quickly. New children benefit from a gradual settling-in programme which staff tailor to meet the child's individual needs.

Children move freely around the room and outside area to explore and develop their own ideas. They particularly enjoy the outdoor nature area, where children are free to investigate natural materials and learn to grow fruit and vegetables. Staff provide children with a bright, well-organised environment. A wide range of interesting activities are attractively laid out which ignite children's curiosity and invite them to play and learn.

Children behave well throughout the day. They are kind to each other and are beginning to understand their friends' needs. Staff are on hand to support children with sharing, turn-taking and other interactions. This means there are very few instances of poor behaviour. Staff are good role models and promote positive interactions between children. Staff are aware of children's individual needs, and they collaborate effectively with parents. These positive relationships provide continuity and support children to make good progress from their starting points.

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

• The management team is keen to improve the setting even further. It has a good understanding of its roles and carries these out effectively. The management team meets regularly with staff to discuss good practice and identify training needs. Staff feel well supported by the management team. Steps have been taken to reduce staff workload and this enables them to spend more time with the children.
• Children can choose from a variety of resources. Staff have created spaces to support all areas of children's learning, such as a large literacy corner. Staff use a book of the month as a base to plan exciting and challenging experiences to extend children's learning. For example, using the story 'The Three Little Pigs', children learn about different buildings, how they are made and what building materials are used. They use this knowledge to plan and construct buildings using a variety of materials and blocks. This supports children to recount the story and build on what they already know.
• Staff speak a variety of languages which reflect the culturally diverse local area. They use these skills to support children and families who speak English as an additional language. Children learn English very quickly once they start at the nursery. Staff support this further by translating and using visual prompts. Staff plan enjoyable activities that promote children's developing language skills. However, sometimes, group activities are not organised well. Children are interrupted by noise from other group activities and at times this distracts them from their learning.
• The manager coordinates the provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. She liaises with other professionals to ensure children receive timely support and that no child is left behind.
• Staff teach children to be independent. The children confidently make their own sandwiches for snack. They practise using a knife to spread the butter and cut the sandwich in half. This also teaches them about healthy eating as staff reinforce healthy choices. Children independently access the resources they wish to use, which helps them to build their confidence and self-esteem.
• Children enjoy a range of creative experiences. However, at times, some planned adult-led activities do not allow children to fully test out their own creative ideas or explore materials freely. For example, at times, staff provide templates and direct children's work for them.
• Parents are complimentary about the nursery. They comment that staff are very approachable. Parents say their children are developing good social skills and make good progress. Staff work closely with parents and provide regular updates about their child's progress. Staff speak with parents at drop-off and collection times and hold regular parents' evenings.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• consider ways to maintain children's concentration during language group activities
• support staff in planning suitable creative activities that allow children to independently explore their own ideas.