Atelier Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children are immensely valued by deeply nurturing staff who have very high expectations of them all.

As a result, all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make very rapid progress. Children demonstrate that they feel safe at nursery. They behave exceedingly well and form respectful relationships.

They speak with articulation and confidence as staff actively encourage and value what they have to say. During 'family time', children eagerly share news from home with their trusted key person. Staff sensitively help children to express their feelings about events, such as movi...ng house.

This helps to support children's emotional well-being. Children become deeply absorbed in rich learning experiences. Staff plan an innovative and challenging curriculum which stimulates their curiosity.

For instance, as children make pasta they proudly explain that 'the pasta is pink because we used beetroot'. They show high levels of concentration as they operate the pasta machine.Children flourish despite the challenges presented to the setting by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staff have implemented rigorous safety measures to minimise the spread of the virus. Additionally, they have recognised the impact of social distancing on children's relationships. In response, staff encouraged grandparents to read stories to grandchildren electronically during the national lockdowns.

They consider children's well-being to be fundamental to excellent progress. Children continue to receive exceptional support from staff during the ongoing pandemic.

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

Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong.

Parents have the utmost praise for the setting. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents do not routinely enter the building when they bring and collect children. Despite this, they say that they are very well informed about their children's progress and next steps in learning.

Parents comment that they feel 'privileged' that their children attend Atelier Nursery. The manager is now identifying ways for parents to visit the setting in a safe and controlled way so that they can see the activities children do. For example, she recently arranged a 'reconnect' event using a timed-ticket system.

This helps parents to be involved in their children's learning. The manager also coordinates a clothing donation service for families to use for their children through financially difficult times.The inspirational manager has embedded a rigorous system to support and monitor the development of staff.

The manager takes pride in her team. She coaches and mentors to help them confidently perform to their full potential. She observes staff teaching and strives for excellence for children.

The senior team meets regularly with staff to discuss their progress and general well-being. As a result, staff enjoy working here and feel valued.Staff expertly deliver a coherent and well-sequenced curriculum.

They tailor learning to children's needs and interests. Children are highly motivated by the exciting and captivating activities. For example, babies enjoy sensory experiences as they intently explore the texture of flour.

Children become deeply involved in learning as they excitedly talk about their ideas for a new tortoise enclosure. Staff extend children's learning with suitable levels of challenge. For instance, they invite them to design their ideas on paper and teach them to use the potter's wheel.

As a result, children learn highly valuable skills such as attentive listening and thinking critically.Staff place considerable emphasis on encouraging children to make their own choices and explore their uniqueness. Staff promote inclusion and avoid gender stereotyping when planning activities.

For example, staff learn about family culture from parents and reflect this in nursery life. Children learn about cultures different to their own as staff take them to visit world art exhibitions.Children are considered highly capable and independent learners by staff.

At tidy-up time, children happily and enthusiastically use brushes to sweep and cloths to clean. At mealtimes, they set the table, pour drinks and clear away plates. Babies use cutlery well to feed themselves.

When children return from the garden, they show respect for others as they politely hold open the gate for the next person.The voices of children are captured superbly by staff. They gather their opinions about nursery life through 'The Children's Charter' groups.

Staff meet with children and discuss what they like or would like to change about their nursery. This promotes children's communication and language in a meaningful way. It also helps children to gain a sense of pride and belonging at their nursery.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff give the utmost priority to children's safety and well-being. The manager and staff have a highly comprehensive safeguarding knowledge.

Staff receive thorough and regular training. They have a clear understanding of the signs that may indicate a child is at risk from harm and how to report concerns. Staff are also aware of a wide range of safeguarding issues, such as how families may become exposed to radical or extreme views.

Staff get to know children and families extremely well. This helps them to initiate early help strategies to support them in times of crisis. Staff are fully aware of the setting's whistle-blowing policy and what to do if they become concerned about the conduct of a colleague.