Anlaby Park Methodist Pre-School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive at the pre-school happy and ready to learn. The routine of the day helps children to feel safe and secure. Children who are new to the pre-school settle well as they receive lots of reassurance and support. They show that they feel comfortable with the nurturing staff. Children are soon confident to explore their surroundings, knowing that a caring adult is close by. This helps children to build positive relationships from their first day.

Staff are good role models and have high expectations for all children. Children behave very well. Staff and children treat each other with respect and use good manners. Children are encouraged to be kind and helpful. This makes the environment feel very calm and welcoming. Each day, a child is selected to be the 'helper'. They take on this role with pride.

The manager creates a learning environment that follows children's interests. Staff know children well. Before new children start, staff find out what children like to do. Resources are provided that follow their current interest to help them to settle. Staff use these opportunities to develop learning. For example, some children like cars. Staff talk about the colours and the number of cars. This helps children to make steady progress in their learning.

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

• Staff encourage children to be independent at every opportunity. For instance, they use the nose wiping stations and wash their hands. They pour their own drinks and are encouraged to put on their own coats. Staff support children to have a can-do attitude. For example, when children ask for help with cutting some play dough, staff encourage them to try for themselves first. Children are praised for having a go and succeeding.
• Children enjoy a good range of experiences that prepare them for their future, including going to school. They learn to recognise and name shapes in their environment. Children are beginning to identify shapes, such as pentagons and hexagons, and point out that light switches are square. Their knowledge is extended by going on a 'shape hunt' at home. They eagerly tell everyone at group time about the shapes that they have found. This supports parents to enhance their children's learning at home.
• Partnership with parents is good. Parents receive daily feedback and updates on their children's learning, both face to face and on an online platform. They particularly like the photos of their children's day and like to share photos of their time at home. Staff are described by parents as knowing children and their families 'inside out'.
• Staff well-being is seen as a priority. The manager has effective strategies in place to ensure that staff feel valued. Staff are treated to extra 'well-being days' off work and are provided with any support needed. They are encouraged to complete regular courses. The manager finds learning that will benefit the whole team. All staff have the opportunity to complete this training. Staff confirm that they feel appreciated and supported. This provides a positive environment where staff are ready to put children at the heart of everything they do.
• Children have many opportunities to develop their speaking and listening skills. They are asked if they have their 'listening ears' on so they can hear what others are saying during group activities. During a discussion about bears, staff introduce new words, such as 'hibernating', and explain what this means. However, at times, children who speak English as an additional language are not fully supported. For example, children count to 10 in English and, as an activity, in French. The cultural background of families is recognised. For instance, bilingual resources are provided. However, children who speak other languages are not always given the opportunity to speak in their home language during their play and learning.
• Staff provide children with opportunities to develop their understanding of living a healthy lifestyle. Children develop their physical skills through daily music and movement sessions and by being active outside. They have healthy drinks and snacks. Children learn to maintain healthy teeth by practising brushing a giant set of teeth. Additionally, they know when and how to wash their hands, and they clean their own noses.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• further promote opportunities for all children to celebrate and use their home languages in their play and learning.