Fledglings Thorne

About this day nursery

Fledglings Thorne, a childcare setting in Doncaster, registered with Ofsted on 28 March 2024, provides a warm, welcoming, and nurturing environment for children aged 0 to 7 years, with a capacity for 45 places. The day nursery is praised for its strong standard in achievement, behaviour, and children's welfare, as well as an expected standard in curriculum and teaching.

Leaders ensure children develop age and stage-appropriate knowledge and skills across all areas of learning, supporting their progress from their starting points and preparing them well for school. The setting has an open culture of safeguarding, where children are made safer and feel safe.

Staff create a calm and positive atmosphere, fostering kindness, care, and respect, with children actively involved in developing expectations and rules. The inclusive environment ensures that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language make impressive progress, benefiting from consistent support and tailored strategies.

The dedicated staff prioritise children's welfare, offering carefully planned settling-in processes and continuous support for emotional wellbeing, including during transitions. Leaders are committed to continuous improvement, seeking views from staff, parents, and children, and prioritising professional development to enhance practice.

The curriculum progressively builds on children's existing knowledge, with a strong focus on communication, language, and physical skills, and provides rich experiences, including outdoor exploration and learning about the natural world.

What it's like

Children thrive in this warm, welcoming and nurturing setting. They arrive confidently, separate happily from their parents and carers and quickly become engaged in play and learning alongside their peers. Children form secure and trusting relationships with staff, who know them well. The carefully planned settling-in process helps children to feel emotionally secure and develop a deep sense of belonging from the outset. Children benefit from a curriculum that supports their development as they progress through the different rooms in the setting. From the youngest age, children are encouraged to develop independence, communication and social skills that prepare them for their next stages in learning and for school. Children confidently make choices in their play, dress themselves and serve their own food at mealtimes. Children enjoy a rich range of experiences that support their curiosity and understanding of the world around them. Outdoors, children explore nature areas with enthusiasm and awe. They plant seeds, grow fruit and vegetables and search for insects and wildlife. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to identify and swiftly address barriers to learning. They tailor support effectively to meet children's individual needs and ensure that every child can access the curriculum. Consequently, children are fully included, develop confidence and make strong progress from their starting points. Leaders work effectively with families to promote regular attendance. Families are warmly welcomed into the setting and are valued as partners in their children's learning. Staff share information regularly and seek parents' views, helping to promote a consistent approach to children's care and development between home and the setting.