Woodhams Farm Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are welcomed into the setting by staff who are passionate, supportive and highly knowledgeable. Staff initiate extremely effective partnerships with parents to support children to settle into the routine and, within days, children are making friends and enjoying the high-quality experiences available.

Children's behaviour is excellent across all areas of the setting. Staff use highly effective strategies to engage children and empower them to work together with their friends. For example, staff in the pre-school expertly model language to support children to manage their conduct and share the play dough tools with their friends. This empowers children to solve problems independently and builds their confidence.

Staff teach children how to manage their emotions exceptionally well. Children listen carefully to staff, who are calm and reassuring. For example, staff in the toddler room support younger children to acknowledge how they are feeling and provide reassurance that all feelings are acceptable in an age-appropriate way. As a result, children are beginning to explore their emotions from an early age and feel fully supported in doing so.

Children enjoy taking part in yoga sessions and listen carefully to staff when they demonstrate how to move into a different position. Children are taught to notice what their chest feels like when they breathe deeply and are encouraged to close their eyes and relax. This provides excellent opportunities for children to learn about their bodies and the effect of exercise on their breathing.

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

• The carefully considered curriculum is highly ambitious for every child. The expertise and knowledge of staff means that experiences provided for children are extremely engaging. For example, staff and children walk in the local woods, talking about the things they notice and the minibeasts around them. When they return, children thoroughly enjoy painting using twigs they have collected with the red paint to remind them of the ladybirds they spotted. This means that children's learning is incredibly meaningful and helps them to make sense of the world around them.
• The support provided for those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is exceptional. Support is expertly tailored to the needs of each child and the progress made from their starting points is impressive. For example, effective resources are developed and shared with parents to support children to effectively communicate their needs using photos and symbols. This provides a highly consistent approach to support children both at home and at the setting.
• Opportunities for children to develop their communication and language skills are plentiful. Staff regularly use a range of engaging activities to encourage children to get involved in learning new vocabulary. For example, children dance to music using scarves while counting in Spanish. This highly motivates children to get involved in their learning using unique and exciting experiences.
• Babies build excellent bonds with staff, who are extremely caring and patient. Attentive staff use familiar songs to help babies feel safe and secure. Staff work in close partnership with parents to find out about children's likes and dislikes so that the care provided is personal and meets the needs of every child.
• Children are provided with tremendous opportunities to develop their early mark-making skills through innovative initiatives. For example, children enjoy listening to music while making large movements with their hands and arms as they draw on paper positioned on the floor. This highly effective experience helps to develop children's large- and small-muscle skills in preparation for future writing.
• Parents share how their children have made excellent and rapid progress in all areas of their learning since starting at the setting. They have noticed how their children have grown in confidence and resilience and are excited to explore new experiences. Parents feel fully supported through regular updates, involvement in support groups for parents of children with SEND and `Coffee and Cake' sessions.
• Leaders have a clear vision for continuously evaluating and enhancing the setting. They place great emphasis on staff well-being to ensure the setting is an enjoyable and positive place to work. Trained mental health practitioners are in place to support staff. This makes staff feel highly valued and part of a close and happy team.
• Leaders have been recognised by organisations beyond the setting for their excellent practice and continue to provide high-quality support for local students who are undertaking training in childcare.