Bright Horizons Epsom Waltham House Day Nursery and Preschool

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children are content and thriving in this vibrant, nurturing environment. Staff have very strong bonds with the children and greet them with a warm and friendly welcome.

Children are extremely happy and flourishing. For example, babies beam at staff and eagerly wave their hands to communicate. They enthusiastically make sounds to interact and enjoy having cuddles.

Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour, which is exemplary throughout the nursery. Staff are excellent role models and skilfully teach children how to share and take turns. They use highly effective strategies to praise good behaviour an...d encourage perseverance.

This boosts children's confidence and self-esteem and highly motivates them to focus and engage in learning. Early literacy skills are fully embedded and thread throughout the nursery. Children relish listening to stories and snuggle with staff in cosy areas.

This includes a dedicated reading space in the garden with cushions and blankets. Children choose books and enthusiastically point to pictures, saying familiar words. They concentrate on the story and listen intently.

Staff take every opportunity to share stories with children and provide enriching story sacks and books to support home learning. As a result, children foster a love of books.

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

The manager is passionate and constantly evaluates practice.

With the staff team, she identifies areas to develop and delivers an ambitious curriculum. For example, the deputy manager has created the 'giggle tree room'. This is a tranquil sensory space and play area, where children enjoy taking part in yoga sessions to support mindfulness and well-being.

Children have exceptional experiences to enhance their learning. This includes caring for nursery pets and learning how to look after them. For example, children help to feed the animals and keep them clean.

The pets have become a special part of the nursery and are important to the children.Parents speak highly of the staff and the care they provide. They are extremely happy with the progress their children are making and say communication with staff is excellent.

Parents particularly like the new baby sessions. This is a six-week enrichment programme for parents to attend with their baby. At the sessions staff provide professional advice and support along with the valuable opportunity to meet other parents.

Staff encourage children to learn about the world around them. For example, children are working towards gaining an Eco-Schools Award. They are completing tasks such as planting vegetables, building a bug hotel and collecting litter.

This helps children understand about taking care of their local community and the world they live in.Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive exceptional support. Staff work closely with other professionals to ensure that all children fully access the curriculum and make the very best progress.

For example, the manager uses extra funding to increase staff ratios and provide specialist training and support. The local authority SEND adviser highly praises the manager and staff for the successful and positive outcomes they provide for all children.Teaching is highly effective.

Staff provide an abundance of opportunities for children to master skills and be confident learners. For example, babies practise their physical skills as they pull themselves up to stand and balance at the water tray. They excitedly splash and pour water as staff sensitively play alongside and copy their actions.

Staff commentate play to introduce key words and expand children's vocabulary. Older children use tools and magnifying glasses to closely examine natural resources. Staff ask them thought-provoking questions to develop their thinking skills.

As a result, children are inquisitive learners who have high levels of focus and concentration during activities.Children engage in meaningful learning and eagerly wait their turn in a science experiment. They carefully spoon and pour ingredients into a funnel then watch in awe as the solution flows out of the volcano.

Children concentrate, listen and follow instructions. Throughout the activity, staff skilfully introduce new exciting language to extend children's vocabulary.Staff use excellent strategies to develop children's speech and language skills.

For example, they listen and engage children in meaningful conversations. Staff show an interest in what children have to say and give them ample time to respond to questions. To encourage early communication, staff sing familiar songs and rhymes to babies.

They inspire older children to use exciting words and mathematical language during play. For example, children describe the big dinosaur as 'huge', 'massive' and 'ginormous'. Staff work with speech therapists and learn specific skills to give children additional support.

This has a significant impact on the excellent progress children make.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have secure safeguarding knowledge and are highly committed to keeping children safe.

They confidently know how to identify children who might be at risk of harm or abuse and the procedures to follow to record and report their concerns. There are robust systems in place to protect children who have allergies and intolerances to ensure that they eat the correct food. For example, plates and name cards are colour coded and clearly labelled with children's specific dietary requirements.

Risk assessments take place daily to ensure that the setting and resources are safe to use. Evacuation drills are practised regularly to ensure that children become confident with the routine. Staff have paediatric first-aid training and know how to record accidents accurately.