Chanctonbury Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this engaging and nurturing environment, actively participating in stimulating indoor and outdoor activities. They explore with curiosity and enthusiasm, developing confidence and coordination. The spacious outdoor area offers opportunities to run, climb, slide and ride balance bikes with safety in mind. Water play adds excitement as children water plants, pour water down tubes and challenge themselves by carrying filled bowls. This dynamic setting fosters adventure, movement and hands-on learning. The setting's commitment to fostering an understanding of the world is outstanding, with enriching real-world experiences, such as visits from professionals, community outings and hands-on sustainability projects. Emotional well-being is equally prioritised, with a dedicated calming area providing a safe and nurturing space for self-regulation.

Staff nurture independence from an early age by encouraging children to recognise their names during self-registration and place their name labels in a basket for snack time. They help two-year-olds select, cut and peel fruit, strengthening their grip for early writing. Staff also support children in self-care routines like wiping their noses, washing hands and using the toilet, building their confidence and enthusiasm for learning.

Staff prioritise children's speech and language development, helping them make outstanding progress. They engage children through thoughtful interactions, using questions, prompts and active listening to deepen learning and spark curiosity.

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

• Children's communication and language development is exceptionally well supported. Staff enrich vocabulary through animated storytelling, rhymes and meaningful discussions. They skilfully challenge children with thought-provoking questions, encouraging detailed responses and deeper thinking. For example, staff connect discussions to children's own experiences related to their favourite stories, enhancing comprehension and language skills. As a result, children's vocabulary expands, and their communication skills flourish.
• Staff provide exceptional support, helping children manage their emotions with compassion and empathy. They create a warm, calm and inclusive atmosphere where every child feels heard and valued. Children are deeply engaged in their learning, displaying remarkable concentration and focus. For example, they carefully build a tall tower with blocks, fully immersed in the task at hand.
• Children's interests and ideas are broadened and developed by the ambitious, secure and sequential curriculum that builds on their individual needs and abilities. They benefit from small-group activities that enhance their love of learning. Children have a passion for reading and regularly choose books to read with staff in small groups. They point to pictures on the page and discuss the characters' actions. As a result, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, as well as vulnerable and disadvantaged children, are thriving and making significant progress from their starting points.
• Parents are highly satisfied with the pre-school, praising the skilled staff, excellent care and quality education. They appreciate the strong communication, which keeps them informed about their children's progress and learning. The setting actively fosters parental involvement through stay-and-play meetings, parents' evenings, updates and other engagement opportunities, ensuring a strong home-nursery partnership that supports children's development.
• The leadership team is highly motivated and dedicated to providing high-quality childcare. They continuously strive for improvement, reflecting on their practice and setting ambitious goals. For example, they are fundraising to enhance the outdoor area and planning a focus on oral hygiene for next term. Passionate about children's development, they offer strong support to both parents and staff. Staff regularly engage in skill-building, share their knowledge and collaborate to enhance the learning experiences they provide.
• Staff speak highly of their well-being and the positive environment they work in. They receive support for their professional development and benefit from training and in-house upskilling. Inductions and supervisions are a real strength, helping staff to improve and develop their practice.