Bright Horizons Kirkby Day Nursery and Preschool

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children blossom at this wonderful nursery.

They are highly motivated to learn from the ambitious curriculum. Children are enthusiastic, make choices and follow their interests. The purposefully planned activities truly enhance learning experiences.

For example, older children skilfully predict whether an object will sink or float. They know about scientific concepts, such as 'hydrophilic' and 'hydrophobic'. Younger children show perseverance as they work together to construct an obstacle course.

They competently climb and balance on crates. Babies settle very quickly because they receive continual supp...ort and care from doting staff. They enjoy affectionate cuddles and snuggle up with comfort cloths sent in from home, which help them to feel extremely safe and secure.

Caring staff place a strong focus on promoting children's emotional well-being. They recognise that younger children struggle to express and regulate their emotions. Staff encourage parents to use an emotions board to indicate how their child is feeling each day.

They use this information to help children should they require extra emotional support. Through this co-regulation system, children begin to build skills to help them to self-regulate their own feelings. Children swiftly build strong attachments with staff.

There is a very clear culture of respect for others that continues throughout the nursery.

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

The long-serving nursery manager is highly motivated, inspiring and passionate about providing all children with the very best start. Her enthusiasm for excellence is instilled in the staff team.

Staff describe that they have extremely high levels of well-being. They are totally committed to inspiring children to be the best they can be.The manager and staff place a relentless focus on children's communication and language skills.

Highly trained staff ensure that children are exposed to rich language, indoors and outside, to help them to become confident communicators. Staff share books with children every day. They enthuse them through their inspiring storytelling.

Parents surprise children when they come to nursery as 'Secret Story Tellers'. Children of all ages thoroughly enjoy story time. A love of reading permeates the nursery.

Children with additional needs receive superb support. Dedicated staff swiftly identify and act on any developmental concerns to make timely referrals and seek further professional support. As a result, children achieve the best possible outcomes.

Parents give considerable praise to the manager and staff team for the continuous exceptional support their children and family receive. They say the nursery is like an extended family due to staff's nurturing nature. Written comments include, for example, 'I have seen a tremendous difference in my child's development.

Their speech has greatly improved.' The manager has reviewed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's understanding of the world beyond their own experiences. Following this, staff provide additional opportunities for children to learn about life outside of the nursery.

For example, children take part in nature walks, and visits to the local pet shop and greengrocer. Furthermore, children learn about cultures which are different to their own and about international children. For instance, parents visit the nursery with exciting resources and traditional stories that they share with children.

Mealtimes are a calm and sociable time for children. Children sit in small groups to eat. They benefit greatly from the highly positive interactions with staff and their friends.

For example, younger children think and solve simple problems at lunchtime. They work out how many children need a bowl and a spoon for dessert. They talk about 'more' and 'less' when looking at quantities.

Children play cooperatively and build excellent relationships with each other. They have a can-do attitude to learning and show extremely high levels of concentration. For example, during group activities, all children engage and listen intently with focus.

Babies are eager to take part in song times and bounce along with joy. They use exciting props and instruments from the music basket. Older children, who show creative talents, express themselves superbly through art and design.

They learn facts about famous artists and paintings, then recreate their own brilliant interpretations.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.All staff are extremely confident in their knowledge of what to do should they have concerns about a child's welfare.

They access regular child protection training and the manager quizzes them about safeguarding at meetings. Staff are highly vigilant in minimising risks and keeping the environment safe and secure. They deploy themselves well and ensure that children are well supervised.

Staff teach children how to keep themselves safe. For example, they gently remind them to use 'walking feet' inside, so they do not trip and fall. This helps to keep children very safe.