The Blue Door Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this busy nursery.

The nursery owner and manager work tirelessly to ensure children have an exceptional start to their learning. Teaching across the nursery is outstanding. Staff plan for every child's unique learning needs precisely and meticulously.

Each activity is thoughtfully planned to take full account of children's interests, abilities and individual learning styles. This means every child, including those who need some extra help, make rapid progress in their learning and development. All staff are exceptionally dedicated to the children they look after.

Relationships between... children and staff are extremely close. Babies hold out their arms when they want to be picked up. Staff immediately respond, scooping them up for cuddles and comfort.

Toddlers develop their individual characters and rapidly grow in confidence. Staff know them so well and allow them to make independent choices. Toddlers quickly become inquisitive learners, keen to explore and eager to develop new skills in a safe, happy and secure environment.

Children are thoroughly prepared for starting school. They converse easily with their friends and the staff. Children ask thoughtful questions and show concern and respect for others.

Their language and communication skills are excellent. Highly effective teaching means older children have the confidence to ask questions and follow instructions easily. These skills support their future learning exceptionally well.

Children's behaviour is exemplary.

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

Leaders have a relentless approach towards continually improving the nursery and developing the staff team. Less experienced staff benefit greatly from the expertise and experience of more senior staff.

The extensive programme of training, staff support and supervision means every staff member frequently reflects on their practice and seeks out further ways to improve. This means the quality of teaching is consistently of the highest quality.Children are exceptionally happy.

They arrive at nursery with excitement, anticipation and enthusiasm. Parents confirm how happy their children are, with many commenting that their children want to come to nursery on days they do not usually attend. Several parents described the nursery as 'a lifesaver' to them.

Funding is used extremely well for children who need extra help. Leaders assess the children's needs precisely. They invest carefully in relevant training and support for staff and acquire additional resources to support each child's learning needs.

This personalised programme of support means children make rapid progress and any gaps in their learning quickly close.Extensive improvements have been made to the outside area. Staff have worked hard to re-design the area to extend children's learning and play opportunities.

Staff have completed relevant training in helping children to take risks in their play. This means children learn to climb low-level trees confidently and negotiate age-appropriate climbing walls safely.Children learn about the wider world as part of the extensive curriculum.

They confidently respect the similarities and differences between their own families and others, and learn to be respectful and caring towards their friends. Older children are particularly kind and caring towards the younger children in the nursery. For example, a toddler showed real compassion when he reached through the gate to the baby area when he heard a baby crying.

He gently stroked her head to calm her as she was being comforted by staff.The support for children's physical development and well-being is excellent. Staff have recently introduced a programme of yoga specifically for younger children.

Although in its early stages, staff have reported seeing an immediate change in children's ability to stay calm and manage their feelings better.The nursery is exceptionally clean and stringent arrangements are in place to promote children's healthy development. Children thoroughly enjoy nutritious, wholesome meals and snacks and are beginning to grow their own fruits and vegetables.

Mealtimes are a very sociable time within the nursery. Older children are prepared very well for managing these routines when they start school. For example, learning to use cutlery competently, pouring drinks and preparing snacks.

Staff successfully extend children's learning into the wider community. For example, children enjoy annual visits from the police and fire service to learn about the emergency services. Excellent links have been established with a nearby residential care home.

Children visit regularly and happily play games and sing songs with their elderly friends. This successfully helps children to learn about the needs of others.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The safety and well-being of children are a shared priority of all staff. Every precaution is taken to minimise risk and help to keep children safe. Pre-school children learn to identify possible hazards.

For example, daily checks completed by the 'risk rangers' mean the garden is scrupulously checked by the children before their friends play outside. Staff have an exceptional knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures. They know exactly what to do if they have any concerns about a child's safety and well-being.