Nether Green Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely happy and busy throughout the time they spend in the nursery. They build very strong bonds with the staff who care for them and know that they are well looked after and supported.

Consequently, babies and children rapidly gain the confidence to explore their environment. All children make the most of the many learning opportunities that staff plan for them. For example, babies fully immerse themselves in sensory play trays.

They investigate how to tip, pour, shake and mix with brightly coloured containers, and sing and say exciting new words when they play.Staff are vigilant and ensure tha...t children play, eat and sleep in a clean and risk-free environment indoors and outside. Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are safe, secure and make excellent progress.

Staff have extremely high expectations for all aspects of children's learning and achievement. They closely monitor children's progress to help build the stepping stones to their future success. This includes helping children to make a very strong start to their school experiences.

The manager leads by example and is sharply focused on ensuring that all aspects of the nursery are of the highest standard and reflect the views of parents, staff and children.

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

Staff know children extremely well. They plan induction procedures extremely well to help new children settle smoothly into the nursery's routines whenever they start.

Staff gather very detailed information from parents to ensure that they securely know children's individual interests. This helps them to plan precisely for children's future learning and care.The experienced manager provides exceptionally clear leadership.

She is extremely well supported by senior staff and the nursery's owners. Staff have very clear roles and responsibilities. They are given time and support to fulfil their roles.

This strongly contributes to the rapid development of the nursery and high staff morale. Staff are particularly well supported to access a wide range of training opportunities and to share their skills efficiently.Parents fully recommend the nursery.

They compliment the excellent communication that they receive on their children's progress. Parents comment very positively about the guidance they receive to support their children's learning at home. Staff encourage parents to contribute to the life of the nursery through, for example, helping children learn about different cultural traditions, such as cooking and baking, dressing up and role-play activities.

Staff plan activities skilfully to promote high levels of children's learning across all areas of their development. They closely observe children's achievements and identify their interests to plan activities. Staff make sure that children's knowledge and understanding are very consistently built upon.

For example, children build on their early investigative and scientific skills when they search for insects on nature walks. Staff extend children's learning and encourage children to dissect and view sunflowers under magnifying glasses and accurately name the different parts of a plant. Staff ensure that children acquire the skills they need for their future learning and to help a successful start to school life.

Staff bring children's learning to life through many magical 'wow' moments. For example, children are absolutely spellbound when the model rockets they have skilfully made go far into the air, powered by bicarbonate of soda. They love trying to work out which musical instrument is making the mystery sounds when children hide behind a screen to play them.

This contributes to children's anticipation and eagerness to learn.Staff use additional funding received for children extremely well and to have a lasting impact on children's achievement and address any gaps in their learning. For example, they ensure that all staff working with children receive the same level of training to help provide consistent support and care.

Staff are consistently kind and are gentle role models to children. They warmly praise children and value their work in many exciting displays. Children are very physically active indoors and outside, including taking part in activities such as yoga, dance and parachute games.

Staff promote children's communication skills exceedingly well. They develop children's speaking skills through, for instance, using personal, animated and engaging conversations and questions. Good-quality children's books, rhymes and stories are at the heart of many of the activities planned for children.

Staff tell stories very well and do so in a way that very successfully captures children's imaginations.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The designated safeguarding lead ensures that staff are well trained in child protection procedures and wider safeguarding issues.

She holds staff meetings about safeguarding and makes certain that staff access the latest training. The designated safeguarding lead regularly tests staff's knowledge and understanding through spot checks, quizzes and other activities. Policies and procedures reflect the advice and guidance of the local authority and are fully available to parents.