Wonder Zone Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive happily at this nursery and receive a warm welcome from friendly staff. Children show that they feel safe and secure. An effective settling-in process supports children's transition between home and the nursery successfully. For example, staff take time to collect information from parents and get to know children's personal care routines, preferences and interests. They use this information to help children to settle into the nursery environment. This helps babies and young children to develop strong and positive attachments to their key person.

Leaders have designed a clear and broad curriculum that can be adapted effectively to meet the needs of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or from disadvantaged backgrounds. Babies learn to build relationships with their familiar adults. Toddlers start to develop their independence as they begin to follow a predictable daily routine. Older children learn to be school ready as they prepare for the next stage of their learning.

Children happily follow instructions and quickly respond to requests from staff. Staff give children an abundance of praise for positive behaviour. Children who occasionally struggle to regulate their emotions receive a nurturing and caring approach. This creates a calm and respectful atmosphere across the nursery.

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

• Leaders have a good understanding of what children know and need to learn next, offering activities based on interesting topics and children's interests. For instance, children strengthen their fingers by moulding play dough or using tools to mark make in coloured rice. While some staff plan and deliver activities effectively to meet children's unique learning needs, this practice is not always consistent. As a result, some learning opportunities are not fully tailored to the specific needs of children.
• Staff promote children's early mathematical development well. For example, staff teach children about the value of number as they match numbers to corresponding dots on ice lollies. Younger children join in counting songs and explore volume through water play. This helps children to develop a good understanding of early mathematical concepts.
• Staff are good role models for children's language development. They engage children in meaningful conversations, ask effective questions and allow time for children to think and respond. This supports children's confidence in expressing themselves and extends their vocabulary. Babies and toddlers enjoy joining in with familiar rhymes and songs, developing their listening and language skills.
• Overall, staff deployment is effective. Staff engage with children as they play and extend their learning. However, there are times when staff do not fully support all children. This is because, on occasion, staff are busy with routine activities, particularly at mealtimes. When this happens, there are children that are not engaged in meaningful learning. This results in an unsettled learning environment.
• Staff promote healthy lifestyles by ensuring children spend time outdoors daily, enjoying fresh air and physical activity. They teach children about healthy eating and provide varied opportunities to develop physical skills through activities. Staff regularly remind children to keep hydrated during the very hot weather.
• Staff know how to seek support for children with SEND to promote the best outcomes for their learning. They understand the value of working closely with parents and carers and professionals to support children's needs. Staff observe children regularly to identify and close any gaps in their learning.
• Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents speak positively about the care and support their children receive. Staff maintain open and effective communication, keeping parents well informed about their child's daily experiences and developmental progress.
• Leaders and staff are passionate about their roles and ways to continuously develop children's learning. They work well together and share the nursery's ethos and vision. Staff have supervision meetings in which managers monitor performance and set targets for improvement. Staff complete all mandatory training, and professional development opportunities are available. Leaders are reflective and look to continuously develop the nursery.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to consistently tailor learning opportunities to the specific needs of children
• deploy staff effectively and ensure they are clear in what their roles are to best support the needs of all children.