Castle Nursery and Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The staff are friendly, kind and warmly welcome children at the door when they arrive. Their genuine pleasure at seeing them helps children feel welcome, and they settle in quickly. Staff are attentive, compassionate and give new children the support that is needed, such as cuddles and affection if they become upset. This offers children the reassurance they need to help them become familiar with their surroundings and feel secure. Children develop a sense of belonging and engage well in their play and learning.

Managers and staff have high expectations of all children's learning and behaviour, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). For instance, staff monitor children's progress by assessing them in all areas of development and offer support where it is needed. Children develop positive attitudes towards learning. Staff give children clear directions and consistently reinforce the golden rules that are in place. They role model the behaviour that is expected and talk to children with respect. This helps children feel valued, and they learn right from wrong.

Children play amicably together. They seek staff out for comfort and to share their experiences with. Through well planned activities, staff encourage children to explore their emotions. For example, children enjoy taking part in a group activity where they talk about feelings and give examples of what makes them feel happy, sad, or even frustrated. Staff encourage children to demonstrate these feelings by making facial expressions and using their body language. The children's personal, social and emotional development is supported well.

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

• Leadership and management are effective. Staff benefit from strong and supportive leaders. Managers know the staff well and successfully utilise their strengths and expertise to ensure the service they offer runs smoothly. Staff say they have high morale and that they work in a supportive environment. They have regular opportunities to develop their skills and enhance their continuous professional development by attending personalised courses. Managers encourage staff to evaluate their training and explore areas of practice that can be improved. This has a positive impact on the care and learning that children receive.
• Managers and staff have created a curriculum that continually builds on what children know and can do. With a strong emphasis on supporting children's independence, children learn new skills to help them do things for themselves. For instance, staff encourage children to self-serve from an early age. They support children to put on their own coats and shoes and become self-sufficient in their self-care skills. They develop a good sense of pride in what they can do and gain confidence as they transition through the rooms.
• Children enjoy taking part in a variety of educational and fun activities indoors and outdoors. For example, staff capture children's attention and encourage them to explore the hailstones falling outside. Children are fascinated, and they huddle together with staff to listen to the loud noise it makes as it hits the overhead cover. However, staff do not always seize opportunities to deepen children's knowledge by further elaborating on their interests and experiences. Therefore, children are not always given the chance to consolidate learning by exploring further.
• The arrangements in place to support children with SEND are effective. Passionate staff make timely referrals and seek guidance and support from outside agencies where needed. Staff work with parents and other professionals and create personalised plans and set goals to help all children make the progress they are capable of.
• Staff encourage children to say please and thank you. Children are polite and well-mannered. Staff encourage children to follow good hygiene routines and discuss being healthy by eating foods that are nutritious and engaging in physical activity. Children enjoy socialising at mealtimes. Staff encourage children to pour their own drinks, and they skilfully carry them to the table. Staff support the youngest children to feed themselves. This helps them to develop good hand-eye coordination and independence.
• Staff are watchful and vigilant for any hazards that could potentially harm children. They carry out regular risk assessments to check the environment is a safe place for children to play. Additionally, staff encourage children to identify risks or dangers themselves. For instance, in the preschool room staff choose two children daily to help them carry out tasks throughout the day. One of these tasks is to check the outdoor area is safe before children go out to play. Staff support children as they walk around the garden looking for anything dangerous. Children develop healthy foundations for keeping themselves and others safe.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to recognise when opportunities arise to extend children's learning and interests further.