Addingham Preschool

Inclusion: Strong standard

Leaders create a deeply inclusive culture where every child is respected and understood as an individual. Staff know how to identify needs early because they are very well trained. They know children well and notice even small changes in behaviour or language. Leaders act quickly. They speak with families and introduce early intervention strategies, so children get the right help straight away. This ensures children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), those who speak English as an additional language and those who have faced disadvantage or disruption do not fall behind and can catch up swiftly.

Leaders reduce barriers effectively. They use clear structures, visual aids, gestures, simplified language and tailored support for all children. These adaptations are part of everyday practice. As a result, children with SEND access the same learning as their peers and take part fully and confidently. Staff follow the graduated approach rigorously. They review plans often, involve parents and adjust support as soon as children move forward.

Leaders work closely with parents and external professionals. Advice from the local authority, speech and language therapists, teachers and paediatric teams shapes daily practice. Leaders model strategies, so all staff use them consistently. Early years pupil premium funding is used thoughtfully to give disadvantaged children stability, language support and extra time in the setting. This strengthens their confidence, communication and independence. Children make secure and meaningful progress because inclusion is strong, strategic and woven through the whole provision.

Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard

Leaders have designed a clear, broad and purposeful curriculum. They talk clearly about what children are learning now and how it helps them develop the skills they will need later on, including early writing. Staff understand this very well. They set up activities that match children's development and use every opportunity to build vocabulary, early maths and imaginative thinking. Staff notice children's ideas and help them develop them further. For example, when a group of children began singing a rainbow song, staff noticed their excitement and joined in. They encouraged the children to turn this into a creative project by making their own rainbow pictures. Children chose colours carefully, talked about their ideas and felt proud when staff celebrated their creativity.

Teaching is calm, thoughtful and responsive. Staff join play with purpose, modelling language, describing actions and introducing new words in ways children understand. They use open-ended questions, visual prompts and gesture to help children express ideas and stay engaged. Staff give children time to think and space to solve problems, which helps them develop confidence and independence.

Leaders ensure teaching meets the needs of all children. Adaptations for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those learning English are woven into daily interactions through simplified language, pacing, visuals and sensory supports. Staff check understanding continually and discuss development as a team. This means they can adjust teaching straight away, so children remain challenged and successful. Practitioners know what children can do and use this knowledge to shape next steps in learning.

Achievement: Strong standard

Children achieve well and make steady, secure progress from their starting points. Their communication flourishes because staff model rich language, introduce new words with care and spark conversation throughout the day. During group times, children listen with interest, share their ideas and join counting and number activities with growing confidence. They delight in noticing patterns, ordering numbers and comparing sizes as part of their play.

Disadvantaged children, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language also achieve strongly. Leaders act early to remove barriers, and staff adapt routines and teaching, so every child can take part fully. Individual plans are followed closely, and this is reflected in children's increasing confidence, sustained engagement and willingness to take on new challenges.

Across the curriculum, children build the foundations they need for their next steps. They strengthen fine motor control, explore creative ideas, solve problems together and show care and responsibility when helping with the guinea pigs. By the time they leave, children are confident, capable and ready for school.

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: Strong standard

Children behave exceptionally well. Leaders have created a calm, predictable environment where expectations are clear. Children arrive ready to learn. They settle quickly and move straight into purposeful play. They follow routines with confidence and respond to gentle guidance from staff. In group time, children listen carefully, wait for their turn and celebrate each other's ideas.

Children show highly positive attitudes to learning. They join activities with curiosity and stay focused for long periods. They take pride in their work. When caring for the guinea pigs, children show patience and gentle behaviour. Outdoors, they create games with balls, use the obstacle course with growing confidence and manage risks sensibly. They ask for help when they need it.

Leaders work closely with families to build strong attendance habits. They follow up absences quickly and offer support when routines become difficult. This helps all children, including those who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), attend consistently and stay engaged.

Staff adapt expectations sensitively. They break tasks into simple steps and demonstrate first. This gives children with SEND the time and clarity they need to succeed.

Children feel secure, valued and motivated. Their positive attitudes and respectful behaviour help them thrive.

Children's welfare and wellbeing: Strong standard

Children are well cared for and feel safe. Staff know each child closely and respond quickly to their needs. Leaders have created an inclusive environment where every child's welfare matters. Staff notice when a child needs reassurance, space or a quiet moment. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), children learning English and children who have faced disadvantage receive sensitive, consistent care that ensures they feel fully included.

Relationships are extremely secure. Children seek out trusted adults and settle quickly after short moments of comfort. Staff use calm voices and clear routines. Children begin to name their feelings and accept help when they find things difficult. They recover quickly because they feel understood.

Daily routines support children's health and safety. Children learn how to manage their personal needs and take growing responsibility for themselves. A visiting dentist helps them understand why oral health is important. Community police visit to teach children who keeps them safe and who they can ask for help. These experiences strengthen children's understanding of their physical development and personal safety. Children handle tools safely and look after their environment with pride. Staff give simple, practical safety messages indoors and outdoors.

For children with additional needs, leaders tailor routines carefully. Visuals, sensory supports and predictable sequences help every child feel secure, confident and ready to take part.

Leadership and governance: Strong standard

Leaders are conscientious, committed and deeply rooted in the community they serve. There have been no significant changes to leadership or context, and this stability supports the consistently strong daily practice. Leaders know families well and understand the hopes, pressures and needs that shape children's lives. This insight guides their decisions and keeps the focus firmly on what children need to flourish. They act early when barriers arise and make thoughtful changes that improve daily experiences, particularly for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), children learning English and those who have faced disadvantage.

Governance is effective. Leaders explain that committee members have clear roles and support key processes, such as supervision, safer recruitment and policy oversight. Their involvement strengthens leaders' capacity to maintain high standards and ensures statutory responsibilities are met.

Staff's wellbeing is a clear strength. Leaders check in with staff often and use supervision to offer guidance, reassurance and professional challenge. The open-door culture is genuine. Staff say they can talk to leaders at any time and feel heard. As a result, morale is high, and staff feel happy in their jobs, and stability across the team benefits children every day.

Professional development is purposeful and ongoing. Leaders share new learning with staff and model strong practice. SEND leadership is highly effective, with clear systems, careful monitoring and strong partnership work with external agencies.

Leaders have shaped a caring, inclusive and community-led provision where staff thrive and children flourish.