Wonderland Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in the nurturing and calm environment. Staff know children very well and plan meticulously for each child's individual learning journey. They create a 'play diet' for each child based around what they have and have not already experienced. This helps staff to offer children new experiences and embed and enhance their understanding in a unique way. Babies settle very quickly because of staff's diligence in getting to know them. Their learning gets off to a flying start as staff use their deep understanding of how babies learn and develop to make each interaction special. Staff's skilled teaching means that all children develop their knowledge and skills extremely well and make rapid progress in their learning.

Promoting children's language skills is a focus, which is embedded and evident throughout the nursery. Staff use stories to link children's learning across the curriculum as they develop a love of books. Staff are excellent role models. As a result, children show high levels of engagement and positivity towards their learning. They listen and respond with thought as staff speak calmly and quietly to them. Staff seamlessly sequence children's learning as they move on through the nursery. Children become independent, managing their self-care needs efficiently as a result of innovative teaching methods, for instance. Children are confident and competent learners. They are well prepared and excited for their move on to school when the time comes.

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

• Leaders' passion and commitment to continually raise the quality of learning and experience at the nursery shines. They have close links with other leaders within the sector and are highly reflective of their provision. Leaders continually seek out new ideas to make the unique provision the best it can be for all children.
• Staff value leaders' trust in them and match leaders' enthusiasm. They reflect together on their practice to inform positive change. Leaders plan a comprehensive programme of training for staff. This is focused to enhance teaching in areas where children will benefit most. Leaders have precise monitoring systems in place. This ensures that training and teaching is highly effective. Where additional funding is used, leaders make sure that it leads to significant benefits for children.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive superb support. Staff are diligent in working collaboratively with other professionals. Children with SEND benefit from tailored in-house support, which helps to rapidly narrow and close gaps in their learning and development. Consequently, children with SEND make excellent progress.
• Staff support children's communication skills through all activities at the nursery. Babies confidently sign to staff, communicating their needs and minimising frustrations. Staff use daily 'talking trails' to support children's confidence. They add contextual vocabulary as they plan these small-group outings to enhance each child's learning. This helps children to become articulate and competent communicators.
• Staff instil in children the confidence to rise to a challenge and to persevere. Children demonstrate mature attitudes and take the time to work out how to approach a problem. For instance, children try different methods and work out how to lift tyres to get them high enough to stack. Staff celebrate each child's milestones, efforts and achievements. Children proudly discuss the stars they have earned, for example.
• Staff teach children specific physical skills and embed their related understanding. For example, children achieve their balance bike 'licence' when they know how to handle and look after the equipment, can use the correct vocabulary for the activity and ride proficiently and safely. This also promotes children's language skills and helps them to manage risk.
• Staff teach children a meaningful understanding of number and mathematical concepts through their play. They link children's understanding of shape and size to their early writing skills and teach them to count for a purpose. Children are proficient in their understanding of number and use concepts and vocabulary in appropriate context.
• Children learn about other cultures in an immersive manner. For instance, they listen to songs and learn to play instruments from African countries. Staff teach children the correct names for the different types of drums. Children regularly enjoy traditional food from their friends' home countries as part of their everyday nursery experience. This helps children to learn about the wider world in a meaningful way.
• Support for parents and carers is strong. They are fully involved in nursery life. For instance, staff invite parents to learn to bake or to carry out science experiments with their children at nursery. Parents of babies visit the nursery to share a meal in the baby room to support them with weaning. This consistency of care and learning significantly enhances children's overall progress.