Radcliffe-on-Trent Day Nursery

Ofsted inspector, 12 October 2023 · read the full report

What it is like to attend

Passionate and highly motivated leaders and staff provide a broad and ambitious curriculum for all children. They ensure that every child makes exceptional progress. They plan learning experiences that ignite children's natural curiosity and challenge them to build on and extend their knowledge and skills. Children benefit from being cared for and guided by staff who have an in-depth understanding of each child's starting points and developmental needs. Staff tune in to what excites children and sparks their enthusiasm. This helps all children to engage in meaningful, relevant and exceptionally well-tailored activities. For example, babies are provided with a wide range of sensory experiences which encourage them to explore and interact with materials and their environment. They take immense delight in pushing their hands through sticky lotion and damp sand. Babies sustain concentration for extended periods when using scoops to fill containers. They beam with joy as they tip the contents out and start again, which builds on their strength and coordination skills. The high-quality engagement from staff ensures that each child's experience is unique and purposeful.

Older children display high levels of confidence and independence as staff are skilled in encouraging and supporting them to try things for themselves. When children find it hard to manipulate the serving tongs at lunchtime, staff spend time modelling and helping them to practise the required movements. This gives children the motivation to persevere when they encounter difficulties. Children reflect these positive qualities in their own interactions with one another. When they see a friend attempting a tricky task outside, they shout, 'Go on, you can do it.' The nurturing and harmonious environment created by leaders and staff throughout the nursery helps all children to thrive and reach their full potential.