Bury Manor Pre-School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive at the pre-school extremely happy and excitable, and they are very relaxed leaving their parents. They greet staff and their friends with great enthusiasm and show excitement for their day. New children are offered additional one-to-one support. For example, they are greeted by their key worker at the door, who offers extra comfort. This helps to encourage children to engage with an activity and to settle quickly. Children's self-esteem is constantly boosted as they receive praise for their achievements, behaviour and manners.

The outstanding quality of teaching ensures that staff include every child in all experience and opportunities regardless of their stage of development. Every child's individuality is valued as a result of the staff's expert knowledge and understanding of all children's development and abilities. The pre-school's excellent communication with parents helps address any gaps in learning and supports children to catch up quickly. Children are superbly prepared to develop skills for future learning and school.

Staff promote children's communication and language skills exceptionally well. They listen intently to conversations, repeat words and sentences, introduce new words and continually extend their vocabulary. Children speak with increasing confidence and fluency, which means that they are developing secure and strong foundations for their future learning. For example, they confidently ask and answer questions while making play dough.

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

• Children's personal, social and emotional development is extremely well supported by staff. Staff recognise that some children have had no contact with others during the COVID-19 pandemic and may take longer to settle. Staff plan activities that support children to recognise and express their emotions. In turn, children are emotionally resilient from a young age, persist at tasks and are consistently eager to join in with activities. Children show high levels of independence. For example, children are very sociable during snack time; they laugh, giggle and chat with each other and staff while making their marmite or jam sandwich.
• Children develop an interest in nature and have an excellent range of interesting and exciting resources, which inspire their play and imagination. They are extremely curious and inquisitive to explore the vast outdoor environment. For example, children sow poppy seeds and explore the school woods, walled garden and amphitheatre. They learn how to care for plants and learn about the lifecycle of animals, to further stimulate their learning.
• Children have a superb understanding of how to stay safe. For example, they show an exceptional knowledge about road safety and the importance of stopping at certain points when walking from one outdoor area to another. Older children confidently remind younger children of the rules. For example, they remind them to stop and listen when crossing roads and skilfully remind them of safety instructions while using outdoor play equipment.
• Children are tremendously motivated learners with remarkably positive attitudes to learning. They behave extremely well and are very kind and considerate to others. For example, they are thoughtful to other children, inviting them in their play and making sure they are happy.
• Staff carry out meticulous and comprehensive assessments when children join the pre-school. These identify any early concerns about a child's development. Early interventions are immediately implemented to help children quickly catch up.
• Staff provide excellent support for children to transition to other settings. They develop positive communication with schools and provide children with information about the schools to support their confidence to attend full-time education.
• Partnerships with parents are exemplary. Parents comment that they feel exceptionally lucky their children attend and feel incredibly welcome and have an excellent understanding of their child's learning and development. For example, the manager recorded various stories and singing sessions and provided home-learning ideas during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The manager is truly inspirational. She continually reflects, evaluates and reviews everything that she and the staff do and offer. She inspires and motivates children, their parents and the staff team to achieve the best they can. She sets exceptionally high standards for herself to drive improvement and raise the quality of care and education for the children.