Ambler Children's Centre and Extended School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff go above and beyond for children and families in this exemplary setting. Children are welcomed into a nurturing, home-like environment with strong settling-in plans. Secure bonds with staff help children feel safe and settle quickly. Children are at the heart of the setting, showing confidence, curiosity and positive behaviour. Through consistent communication and reinforcement, staff are teaching children to understand why it is important to be kind to each other. They actively encourage children to be independent and to help each other with tasks.

Leaders and staff adapt learning to meet children's individual needs, including those who are disadvantaged or have special educational needs and/or disabilities. A dedicated inclusion lead supports children and their families, preparing them for their next stage of learning. Systems are fully embedded to ensure a strong multi-agency approach.

Activities are planned so that children can build on and develop their skills and learning. They count and measure with confidence and become confident communicators as they sit together with staff and solve problems, helping each other with full recognition. Communication and language is strongly emphasised, with children exploring local authors and diverse books to build verbal skills. Babies are fully immersed in sing and sign sessions. Staff provide children with props and visuals to sing nursery rhymes ensuring all children can participate. Children enjoy exploring the community around them. An exemplary inclusive culture is embraced, valuing children's views. Visual aids support all children, and staff use British Sign Language to assist children with disabilities.

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

• Inspirational and skilled leaders demonstrate a strong and clear vision for children's learning. They create a tailored curriculum and thoughtfully design the space to meet children's needs. Personalised settling-in sessions and home visits help staff plan for children's needs immediately.
• Staff create early support plans for children with additional needs. Staff know each child extremely well. Key person's give children highly sensitive and caring reassurance. Staff swiftly identify learning gaps and implement targeted strategies, leading to outstanding progress.
• Leaders create a calm, positive culture. They prioritise staff well-being and development so that they are able to deliver high-quality care and learning. Staff fully engage with the ongoing professional development. Their shared passion for giving every child the best start is deeply embedded across the setting. Staff feel valued by leaders, with well-being prioritised through access to an in-house mental health lead.
• Staff are trained to support vulnerable minds, enabling sensitive communication with those who've faced challenges. Parents report significant progress and feel fully involved throughout their child's journey.
• There are excellent partnerships with parents, who are fully included through clear communication and tailored support. Parents speak extremely highly of this nurturing and reliable setting. They feel involved in their children's learning journey. They have free access to books and shared reading opportunities. Breastfeeding mothers are warmly welcomed with a safe, dedicated space. Families consistently share positive feedback with a strong focus on mental health and well-being.
• Staff teach children about the benefits of healthy eating. They provide nutritious meals, encouraging children to try different foods that they enjoy. Staff ensure that daily routines teach children how to stay safe. Opportunities are given to build independence through self-serving meals and eating with cutlery. Staff constantly review the setting's risk assessments with managers and make sure that children are well supervised at all times with excellent communication with each other.
• Staff teach children how to play with the resources safely. Children are given explanations that they can understand, encouraging them as they explore. In all areas, indoors and outdoors, staff's considered presentation of the good-quality resources means that children can self-select and develop the skills they need to be independent learners.