Grace’s Day Nursery - Ruxley Manor

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children become highly motivated, curious and independent learners in this very inclusive and well-resourced nursery. Their interests are prioritised when activities are planned.

Babies benefit from individual and flexible routines that provide very good continuity of care. Children are very secure and settled, and teaching is extremely effective. Although some children who speak English as an additional language have fewer opportunities to use their home language, all children rapidly acquire good English speaking skills.

Children participate well in carefully considered opportunities, such as visits to see rei...ndeers as part of Christmas activities. Pre-school children deepen their understanding of books and explore writing patterns in enjoyable ways. Children discuss the writing on food packaging and develop an understanding of recycling and sustainability.

Older children demonstrate a strong awareness of the needs of those around them and regulate their behaviour extremely well. For example, confident children show restraint and wait patiently for their friends to remember the sounds that letters make, rather than shouting out answers. Children use puppets and props as they share about their emotions, experiences and feelings.

Toddlers learn to manage their hygiene needs independently as they use a water butt to wash their hands before outdoor snacks. Children of all ages and abilities have excellent opportunities to exercise, play and learn outdoors. Children attending this nursery receive exceptional support to reach their full potential.

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

The leadership team implements highly effective systems to carefully monitor and evaluate the quality of the provision well. Consideration is now being given to enhance play opportunities for children who speak English as an additional language. Development plans, including a new approach to the curriculum, place children at the centre.

As a result, significantly high standards and a culture of continual improvement are maintained.Staff give superb support for children to develop their literacy. They skilfully implement teaching methods that help children to build strong early reading skills.

Staff introduce activities that greatly enhance children's understanding of story writing, such as helping children to recognise the start, middle and end of stories that they read.Staff give very high levels of praise and consistently acknowledge children's achievements and efforts. For example, strategies such as the use of body movements and visual aids successfully help less-confident children to contribute during activities.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive superb support and are fully included in all aspects of the nursery. The special educational needs coordinator shows tenacity and uses her excellent knowledge of local referral procedures to access additional resources for children who need it, despite cross-boundary challenges.Staff provide exceptional opportunities for children to develop a deep understanding about things beyond their immediate environment.

For example, staff speak with children about the benefits of the foods they plant and harvest in the nursery allotment. Children further enhance their understanding of healthy ingredients as they help the nursery chef to prepare meals.Staff encourage children to develop their physical skills in enjoyable and reassuring ways.

For example, they hold the hands of children who are reluctant to use their bodies. They move often during walks between planters to discuss and smell different herbs. They splash with children in muddy puddles to help strengthen their muscles and build stamina.

This supports children to become more aware of the effects of exercise on their bodies and to develop confidence in their abilities.The leadership team provides extensive support to staff, including before they introduce new approaches to the curriculum. Very strong partnerships are used to further enhance the professional development of staff within the setting and beyond.

Staff receive strong support to implement ideas that enhance children's learning, such as the language-rich environment for babies that helps to develop and promote early communication.Staff provide outstanding support for children's emotional well-being. Home visits contribute to the very strong relationships between staff, children and their parents from the start.

Children demonstrate extremely positive behaviour towards each other.Parents are extremely well engaged in their child's learning and greatly value the way staff regularly share information and involve them in their children's learning. Parent forums include school readiness sessions and staff share advice on how to build children's emotional resilience.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The members of the leadership team have a very good understanding of what to do if concerns arise. They follow accurate reporting procedures and work effectively with outside agencies when necessary.

Staff are vigilant and share relevant information with leaders. This helps to ensure children's safety and promote their good welfare. Staff complete safeguarding training and manage risks very effectively, including when on outings.

They know how to identify and respond to possible signs of harm to children, including from exposure to extreme views. The ongoing suitability of staff is regularly reviewed. They share information about children's personal care and accidents appropriately.

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