Brambles Hindon

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children enter this inspiring outdoor learning environment happy and ready to learn. They wave and smile as they are greeted by the nurturing staff. Children show they have high levels of confidence and self-esteem as they freely explore the open-ended resources. For example, they build a house out of big junk items. Using their muscles, they lift up a big black tube and tell staff 'this is our house'.

Children's behaviour is excellent. They are extremely polite and respectful towards each other. During play, children show they are able to share resources without conflict. For example, a group of older children mix mud and paint together to make a volcano. They check that others have finished using the paint by asking 'Are you finished with that? Can I have it please?'

Children develop a love of nature and the natural world. They giggle with excitement as they dig up vegetables and lettuce from their allotment. Children use mathematical language, such as 'big', 'small', 'more' and 'lots', as they find some potatoes. They notice the roots and discuss how a plant drinks the water from the soil in order to grow. Children prepare their vegetables for a snack. They independently wash and cut potatoes, radishes and peppers, before placing them in a bowl to make a healthy salad.

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

• The curriculum is child-led and covers all seven areas of learning. Staff engage and observe the children in their play. They follow children's interests and curiosity, allowing children to make choices about what they want to learn. This empowers children, building confidence and self-esteem. Staff use open-ended questions to determine what children already know and scaffold their learning. For example, children spot a mound of mud. Staff use open-ended questions to determine what the children know about the mound. The children decide that a mole made it. Together, they research what a mole looks like and its daily routines. They learn that moles are nocturnal and only come out at night.
• Children benefit from this outdoor play environment. Staff offer children a wide range of experiences with animals and nature. Children enjoy learning about different animal routines and lifestyles. For example, children and staff investigate some alpaca hair and discuss what it might be used for. The children know that alpaca hair can be used to make clothes. They also know that birds use it in their nests to keep their eggs warm. Staff extend this knowledge by telling the children that alpaca hair can also be used to keep their plants warm in the winter.
• The manager knows how important it is for children to feel safe and secure in the pre-school. She places children's health and well-being as her top priority.
• Staff promote a healthy lifestyle. They encourage children to make healthy choices and to understand the impact that certain foods can have on your body. For example, children learn that potatoes contain carbohydrates, which give you energy. Staff support children's physical skills by providing them with ladders to climb and creating assault courses out of wooden beams, which builds their muscles. For example, children climb up ladders to look over the fence at their siblings in the school field.
• Staff feel extremely well supported and valued by the management team. Their ideas for improvements and changes are listened to and fully embraced by the manager and owners. For example, staff identified a dead space in the garden. They all worked together to turn it into a wildlife pond area and allotment. This allows children to grow their own vegetables and observe wildlife in the pond.
• Parent partnership is superb. Parents praise the manager and staff for their continued support and information. They state that their children are excited to attend the pre-school each day and describe it as a 'magical place'. Staff adapt to meet children's and parents' needs. For example, children settle in at their own pace. Staff allow parents to stay until the children feel comfortable and let them leave. This builds trust between the key person and the child, which supports them to establish a bond.
• The manager receives early years pupil premium funding. She uses the money to buy these children tickets for a family day out. This provides children with different experiences, which helps to spark new interests and curiosity. Children share their experiences with each other. This enhances their ability to communicate with others and builds social skills.