Zaitoon Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive at the nursery happy and keen to learn. They are settled and secure as the friendly staff support them well. Staff skilfully engage children in a range of activities to support their learning. This helps them to make good progress from their starting points. Children are confident and have fun as they become engaged in activities. They learn about plant growth. They carefully water their own plants and talk about them needing sunshine and water to grow.

Children play cooperatively together as they make shared models out of construction. They skilfully navigate where pieces should go to make tall towers. Staff encourage children's thinking and introduce mathematical concepts. Children learn to problem solve and develop early writing skills. Staff skilfully ask questions that help children to explore their ideas. Children have fun developing their imagination as they initiate a doctor's role-play activity. They demonstrate good language and communication skills. They pretend to be unwell and talk about needing to see the doctor quickly.

Children behave well and are supported to manage their feelings. Staff encourage kind and respectful behaviour. Children understand the routines. When staff sing the 'tidy up' song, children are keen to help. They respond positively to staff's gentle reminders to use their 'indoor voices' and adapt their behaviour accordingly.

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

• The manager ensures a curriculum is provided that is adapted to children's interests and next steps in learning. There is a good balance of activities to build on what children already know and what they need to learn next. Staff recognise children's interest in animals, which prompted a visit to the farm. Children excitedly recall the outing, which builds on their meaningful experiences.
• There are secure arrangements to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff understand the importance of working closely with parents to offer a consistent approach. Staff seek support and guidance from other agencies to ensure that children's needs are supported in the nursery.
• Parents are very happy with the service provided and say their children have made good progress. Parents are welcomed into the nursery to help their children settle at their own pace. Parents receive good communication from staff through daily discussions and via the nursery app. Parents enjoy listening to their children sing songs that they have learned at nursery, such as 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm'.
• Staff enjoy their work and speak positively about the manager. They feel valued and supported. The manager conducts regular staff supervision to ensure the quality of teaching is consistently good. Staff training is actively encouraged, so that staff are able to build on their skills, which improves outcomes for children.
• Children learn to be independent and manage their own safety. They know to hold onto the handrail while using the stairs to access the toilets. Staff support children to think about potential safety risks. They remind children to pick up toys, so that they do not present as a tripping hazard to others.
• Children regularly use the outdoor play area. They explore the sand and play team ball games, demonstrating good coordination. However, outdoor play does not always offer well-thought-out outdoor experiences. Furthermore, there is a lack of challenging opportunities to develop older children's physical skills.
• Children are encouraged to stay hydrated in hot weather by having lots of water. However, consideration has not been given to protecting children from the effects of the sun when playing outdoors.
• Children are confident talkers. They communicate well with staff and make secure friendships with their peers. Staff support children who speak English as an additional language well. There is a strong focus on building children's vocabulary in partnership with parents and carers. All children are valued and respected and are developing high levels of self-esteem.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• review the outdoor learning environment to provide a richer range of play experiences, including more challenging opportunities for older children to develop their physical skills
• ensure provision is made to protect children from the harmful effects of the sun.