The Courtyard Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children flourish in this highly welcoming and nurturing nursery. They are eager to attend and fully immerse themselves in the innovative learning opportunities available. Staff value all the children as unique individuals.

They have very high expectations and their enthusiasm to be there for the children is inspiring and infectious. Babies are cherished and form close bonds with the calm and considerate staff who care for them. They enjoy the frequent cuddles and comfort they receive as and when needed.

This helps them to feel safe and to approach new people with confidence. Older children are incredibly well s...upported. They make rapid progress in readiness for their eventual move to school and are motivated by the rich array of experiences available.

Children are increasingly confident and comfortable in small and large groups. They listen intently to one another and share their opinions appropriately. Staff are excellent role models and children learn to be caring and considerate.

Staff skilfully encourage children to be aware of feelings, and children regularly express their emotions either with words or facial expressions. Children's behaviour is excellent. They demonstrate high levels of self-control and are keen to remind one another and staff of the rules.

For example, they make sure that everyone joins in to help tidy the toys away and that they use their 'walking feet' when they are inside.

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

Managers and leaders are fully focused on creating the best possible staff team. They are truly invested in supporting and encouraging every individual both professionally and personally.

All staff express that one of the best things about working at the nursery is the way they feel valued, respected and part of the 'family'. Senior staff create a culture of continuous improvement which is mutually embraced by all staff. Everyone engages in training and research to boost their skills and knowledge.

Staff morale is very high and they are keen to use their expertise to make the most of every opportunity to enhance the provision for children.Staff have an exemplary knowledge of the curriculum. They know children extremely well and have a precise understanding of what is important for each child who attends.

Staff make regular assessments of what children know and can do, and use what they find to plan meticulously for children's individual needs and interests.Children submerge themselves in the experiences on offer and explore the innovative resources. For example, older children manipulate plastic dinosaurs through a forest of fresh herbs.

They roar loudly as they pretend to stomp around and eat the trees.There are many opportunities to enrich children's communication and language skills. All children engage in songs and rhymes which are often used as a prompt to complete a task, such as tidying up or welcoming one another into nursery.

Story time is a fully interactive experience. It begins with children sitting quietly, some holding props and talking with staff about the book. As it progresses, children and staff are on their feet filling the room with actions and noises as they recreate the familiar story.

Babies' and younger children's love of books is also highly promoted. Staff skilfully use expressions and animated voices as they read, to capture children's interest.Children are extremely confident and self-assured.

They invite visitors to join in with their music and movement activities and are comfortable answering questions about who they are and why they are here.Children are increasingly independent. There are many opportunities for them to make choices in their play and to take care of their own needs.

At meal and snack times they serve their own food and pour their own drinks. All special diets are catered for without exclusion, and children enjoy the freshly prepared and nutritious food and socialising together.Partnerships with parents are extremely strong.

Staff liaise with parents to ensure each child's needs are exceptionally well met and routines are carefully matched to those at home. There are well-established systems in place to help children when they are ready to move through to the next room. Key persons spend as much time as needed to help the children gradually settle and feel secure when they first start at nursery.

Many of the children are going to become older siblings within the coming months. Staff are very considerate of this and have provided activities for children to support their emotional well-being and prepare them for the changes ahead.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff are vigilant and ensure that children play in a safe environment. Babies are reassured and encouraged to take the risk of crawling through a tunnel, to follow their friends and to come out the other side. Older children conduct their own risk assessments, making sure that the garden and equipment are safe before going outside to play.

Staff know precisely what to do if they are worried about a child's safety or if there are concerns about the behaviour of a member of staff. Managers and leaders ensure that all staff receive regular training on the current safeguarding guidelines and that open discussions are held during staff meetings and individual supervision sessions. There is a robust culture of reporting concerns without delay to ensure children and staff stay safe.