Woodstock House Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are extremely happy and settled. They thrive in the nurturing and homely environment offered at the nursery. For instance, babies are gently rocked to sleep by staff who know their home routines exceptionally well. Children consistently demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the harmonious and relaxed atmosphere.

Children's behaviour across the setting is fantastic. They are deeply engaged in their learning and play together. For example, children work collaboratively as they share and take turns with different resources as they explore making marks with paint. They are highly motivated and eager to join in with their friends.

Children make excellent progress from their starting points. Staff have high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). For example, additional funding is used to purchase specialist equipment to ensure that the environment is fully inclusive. Children make rapid progress in their learning and development that ensures that they are superbly prepared for the next stages in their learning.

Children learn exceptionally well to manage their own risk. For instance, they show great skill and confidence as they use real tools, such as hammers and nails. Children have high levels of maturity for their age. They develop outstanding knowledge and skills across the seven areas of the early years foundation stage.

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

• Staff know their key children extremely well. They plan an excellent curriculum that excites and engages the children exceptionally well. For example, children enjoy a weekly 'science club'. Their knowledge and experiences build over time as they learn and use an extensive vocabulary relating to electricity. Children benefit hugely from the many extra-curricular activities that they are offered at the nursery.
• Children have outstanding opportunities to develop their physical skills inside and outside across the setting. For instance, children run freely and climb outside in the garden as they learn to negotiate space safely. Babies successfully learn how to take risk as they mount carpeted stairs to reach the 'reading nook' on the first floor. This has a remarkable impact on their physical and mental health as they learn to live active and healthy lifestyles.
• Children are extremely confident and capable of managing their own behaviour across the nursery. They consistently demonstrate an understanding of why rules are in place. For example, staff support children to independently use a 'walkie-talkie' while playing in the outside cabin. They communicate with staff inside to let them know they are ready to come in. Children develop a clear understanding of how to keep themselves safe.
• Parents feel exceptionally well supported and involved in their children's learning. For example, staff share daily updates via an online app that gives parents instant access to their child's day at nursery. Parents overwhelmingly share positive feedback about highly effective levels of communication they receive from staff, leaders and managers. There is an extremely positive and respectful culture that fosters strong working relationships between staff and parents.
• Children who speak English as an additional language are remarkably well supported. The environment is extremely well planned to ensure that they have access to resources in their home language. For instance, staff regularly share nursery rhymes and books in various languages. They use key words from home and flash cards to support children's communication skills. The environment is inclusive and celebrates the diversity of families beyond the nursery regularly.
• Leadership at the nursery is inspirational. Leaders and managers have created a passionate and dedicated staff team who truly all share the same vision and ethos. For instance, staff are given huge amounts of autonomy as they manage their own budgets and implement positive changes to the environment. They carry out their own research to continually improve their knowledge and the outcomes for children. Staff well-being is very high across the nursery.
• Leaders have a secure understanding of the needs of children with SEND and work exceptionally well with other professionals. For example, referrals are made swiftly to ensure that funding is secured and children have access to support from specialist teachers. Staff work closely to implement targeted interventions that ensure that excellent progress is made across the curriculum.