Buckden Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children are highly motivated to learn from an ambitious curriculum. They have a wealth of opportunities to be curious explorers.

Children are engaged and focused on their free-flow play. They enthusiastically make choices and follow their interests. Children make excellent progress in an inspirational environment.

The natural resources and purposefully planned activities enhance learning experiences. For example, children use a hammer to bang golf tees into a giant pumpkin. They show perseverance and determination as they balance on tyres and crates.

Children experiment by mixing colours using water an...d pipettes. They notice changes and question why things are happening. Children make tea in teapots using real tea bags and water.

They use conkers as sugar lumps and use sticks to stir their 'woodland' tea. Children role play in the shepherd's hut making afternoon tea, feeding their creations to their dolls. Children explore the muddy terrains of the garden, climbing and risk taking.

They seek opportunities to make puddles for themselves and then jump in them with excitement. Children grow their own vegetables and herbs. The mud kitchen is a buzz of activity, with children making potions and soups.

Children talk to each other as they play. They benefit from the wealth of vocabulary that is linked to activities and books. Children are keen to interact with practitioners and involve them in their play.

They smile at handmade bricks with family photos on, pointing out recognisable faces. Children experiment with drainpipes, paint and water, observing how it travels and problem solving how to catch the water.

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

The nursery's ethos and environment are inspirational.

Children are valued and respected. They are strongly supported by nurturing practitioners. Key persons know their children exceptionally well, which contributes to their continual progress.

Learning is central to all the nursery experiences. Practitioners are skilful in recognising teachable moments and extending play. Children choose to write for different purposes.

A pirate role play game turns into children making their own treasure maps. Children flock to join in, and supportive practitioners continually extend their learning, reminding them not to forget that 'X marks the spot'.Children create Rangoli patterns in sand and make imprints in the play dough.

They know that Diwali is the festival of light and use jewel decorations to make their own candles. Children are amazed as the lights are dimmed to show the candle glow and the patterns it makes in the room. They set up a tea party picnic on the floor using real china teacups.

Children make their own narrative and identify names of what they are eating. They enjoy opportunities to sing songs and repeat nursery rhymes, which are embedded into routines of the day.Young babies and children are cared for by practitioners who are led by their individual needs.

They are highly independent when drinking and feeding themselves at mealtimes. Practitioners are continually supportive and caring. They give affectionate cuddles, and comforters are encouraged to help with settling.

When practitioners ask children if they would like to go to sleep, they respond by crawling independently into the next room to find their cot for a rest. Children help one another, take turns and use manners of courtesy.Leaders and managers are inspirational.

They prioritise staff well-being and create a positive and inclusive working culture. Leaders are role models and have support in place to help others. Training courses and professional development are an important part of the team's progress and development.

The nursery liaises with other professionals and supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. There is a culture of promoting lifelong skills that will support children as they make transitions in their education.Counting and numbers are part of the captivating learning environment.

Opportunities to construct with shapes are provided as children build towers, roads, and ramps confidently. They create their own challenges and show attention to detail while experimenting. Children learn about days of the week and seasons.

They are encouraged to recognise their name through self-registration. Practitioners model early writing skills. Children make efforts to 'have a go' and try new things.

Children are confident and have positive self-esteem.Partnerships with parents are exceptional. Parents strongly support the leaders and management team.

They are engaged in nursery life and have opportunities to join in with play sessions, which are well supported. Practitioners recognise the important role parents have in their children's development. They work together in the best interests of the child.

This has a very positive impact on children's progress. The nursery communicates effectively with parents and supports them to extend children's learning at home. Parents are happy in the knowledge their children are happy and safe at the nursery.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Safeguarding is robust, and effective procedures are in place. Children are kept safe from potential harm, and robust measures ensure that practitioners respond effectively.

Practitioners have knowledge and understanding of how to recognise signs of potential abuse. They attend regular training and keep up to date with identified county issues. Leaders and managers know their duty of care in reporting if a child is potentially at risk and taking action to keep them safe.

Children are appropriately supervised. They learn how to keep themselves safe and use equipment safely. Practitioners make every effort to make the environment safe and minimise risks to children.