Buttercup Corner Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this safe, superb nursery and show a remarkably strong sense of belonging.

The quality of education is outstanding and the thoughtfully designed, progressive curriculum is highly ambitious. Staff know children exceedingly well and have wonderfully high expectations of what they can achieve. Each room is a hive of activity, with children displaying immense concentration skills, despite their young age.

The nursery's ethos, 'to nurture, educate and inspire children' is wholeheartedly successful. Children are immensely proud of their learning and their achievements. Staff effortlessly ignite chil...dren's passion for learning and challenge them extremely well to excel in their understanding.

For example, as children count objects staff intuitively differentiate the activity to enable those more able children to develop simple mathematical equations. Staff fully understand the necessity of sequential learning. They talk confidently about the intended learning outcomes for each and every experience they provide for children.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic staff conducted home visits to gather pertinent information about children. They have skilfully adapted their practice, undertaking video meetings as they continue to support children new to the setting and those transitioning into their next room.Children behaviour is excellent.

Young children understand routines as they use 'magic goggles' to look for items out of place that must be tidied away. Children's independence skills are effortlessly nurtured. For example, children impressively serve their own food at mealtimes, thoughtfully passing serving bowls to their friends as they patiently wait their turn.

Children relish the responsibilities they are given, and staff warmly praise them for their efforts.

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

Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is exemplary. Extremely knowledgeable staff have an astute understanding of children's individual needs and celebrate the uniqueness of each child.

Staff's extremely well-considered interventions and robust partnership working with other professionals ensure that any gaps in children's learning are swiftly addressed. This means all children are able to excel from their starting points.Children are developing an outstanding understanding of the world around them and the community in which they live.

For example, children learn about those less fortunate than themselves as they participate in fundraising activities, learn about world events and gather donations for the local food bank. Celebrations within the nursery reflect children's individual culture and heritage. Children demonstrate an excellent awareness of others.

They are learning to use sign language, recognising that some of their friends are unable to communicate with spoken word. Children show empathy for others and an abundance of kindness and concern, as they play harmoniously together.Inspired consideration is given to teaching children essential life skills.

For example, pre-school children learn the basics of first aid when they are visited by the ambulance service and other health professionals. Furthermore, on a weekly basis, all children participate in 'parktastic'. This activity at the local park teaches children the importance of 'stranger danger', what to do if they see a dog, how to use swings safely and become aware of and manage potential risk.

These exceptional opportunities prepare children exceedingly well for future life.Staff develop remarkably strong partnerships with parents. Social events and drop-in sessions celebrate children's achievements and facilitate detailed discussions about the next steps in children's learning.

Parents are invited to participate in special projects within the setting. For example, their recent engagement in a literacy project resulted in children and families enjoying stories at home more, becoming confident to use props in storytelling and enrolling at their local library. This has had an immense impact on children's enjoyment of literacy and promotes a love of early reading.

The acquisition of children's language skills is given high regard. Intuitive staff immediately recognised that following the pandemic some children had become delayed in their speech and language development. As a result, leaders swiftly implemented a range of strategies to help close gaps in children's learning.

For example, staff attended specific training to address children's communication and language needs. They implemented focused group sessions and undertook language screening for all children, so that they received swift and timely support as needed. As a result, children are becoming exceptional communicators and are able to skilfully articulate their needs and feelings.

Leadership is inspirational. The manager is a highly passionate and knowledgeable practitioner, who leads an extremely enthusiastic and dedicated staff team. Their strive for excellence and ensuring each child has the best possible start in life is relentless.

Continuous reflection and self-evaluation drives improvement. For example, through their robust partnerships with local schools, the curriculum reflects a focus on the development of fine motor skills and children's confidence in larger groups. Staff receive a wealth of support and training, and their health and well-being are paramount.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Leaders create a strong culture of vigilance across the nursery. All staff have a robust understanding of their role and responsibility in protecting children from harm.

Staff very confidently describe the correct procedures to follow, should they have concerns about the child's welfare or the practice of a colleague. Safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation and extremism are fully understood by the knowledgeable staff team. Robust recruitment and vetting arrangements exist and are coupled with the stringent procedures to ensure staff's ongoing suitability.