Blossom Years Valeswood Road, Downham Pre-school - BR1 4RD

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff take time to get to know individual children and build good relationships with them. This helps children to build trusting bonds and to feel happy and secure. Staff have high expectations for children's learning and behaviour. They have worked hard to improve their behaviour management procedures and help children to understand about the boundaries of the pre-school. Staff give children frequent reminders about expected behaviour and give lots of praise and encouragement as they play. Consequently, children behave well and respond positively to the routine.

Staff plan a range of activities based on children's interests to help them to learn new knowledge and skills. Children have fun exploring play dough, and staff successfully help children to discuss their ideas and what toppings they want to add to their pancakes. Staff demonstrate how to mould, roll and pat the dough and make learning fun. This helps to develop children's imaginations, language development and fine motor skills. Staff place strong emphasis on teaching children about different emotions. This is apparent when they explore 'emotion wands' together and discuss different feelings such as happy and sad. Staff also encourage children to paint how they feel. This helps children to gain a deeper understanding of different feelings and fosters how they regulate their emotions in a positive way.

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

• The new manager is very passionate and has a clear vision about their aims and ambitions for the future. The pre-school has gone through a recent period of transformation, with lots of new staff joining the team. Collectively, they have worked very hard to make positive improvements since the last inspection. Children are cared for with warmth and kindness, and their individual needs are met well. This contributes towards children developing good self-esteem and emotional security.
• Children develop a love of books. Staff read stories such as 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' with great enthusiasm. They clearly introduce the names of different foods and days of the week and encourage children to count the different quantities of fruits. This helps to develop their early mathematical skills and broadens their knowledge of the world.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive good support. They have high levels of attention and care and are warmly encouraged to try new things. Staff work collaboratively with other professionals to implement new targets and review new achievements and progress.
• Staff support children who speak English as an additional language very well. This is evident when they use visual timetables, props and gain key words in children's home languages to help them to settle in with ease. This helps to create a sense of belonging for children, as well as supporting their speaking
• Inspection report: Blossom Years Valeswood Road, Downham Pre-school - BR1 4RD 2 5 March 2024 and communication skills.
• Overall, leaders and staff design a curriculum that supports children's learning well. They offer a range of activities that foster children's learning in readiness for school. However, staff do not always consider ensuring that children have plenty of opportunities to learn through their senses and explore a wide range of natural resources, to promote children's imaginations and creativity to the highest level.
• Children show positive attitudes towards learning and are eager to join in. However, on occasion, the high noise level can make it difficult for them to concentrate fully and be deeply focused on their learning.
• Staff promote children's good health in a successful way. They work closely with parents to ensure children have healthy and nutritious packed lunches. Staff also speak to children about the effect of different foods. Furthermore, children have daily opportunities to play outdoors in the spacious and well-designed garden. This is a real strength of the pre-school.
• Overall, parents express they are happy with their experience at the pre-school. They state their children love attending and are making good progress, particularly with their language development and social skills. Many discuss how they appreciate the frequent developmental reports and parents' meetings on offer. However, some comment that they would like more detailed feedback about their children's daily activities.
• The new team works effectively. Staff constantly discuss and share ideas and reflect on their practice. They also engage in ongoing training and professional development to help extend their knowledge and personal effectiveness.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen opportunities for children to learn using their senses, with a wide range of natural resources, to promote their imaginations and creativity even further
• review the organisation of activities in order to provide children with greater opportunities to concentrate deeply on their learning and play.
• Inspection report: Blossom Years Valeswood Road, Downham Pre-school - BR1 4RD 3 5 March 2024