Codicote Pre-school (CIO)

Inclusion: Expected standard

Leaders promote an inclusive culture, where they welcome all children and support them to take part. They identify children's needs early through baseline assessments and ongoing observations. Staff work closely with parents and carers to understand children's starting points and share information that helps to shape support.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language benefit from reasonable adjustments and adaptations. Staff use resources and flexible routines to help children access learning and feel included. Leaders work in partnership with external professionals, such as specialist teachers and health professionals, to ensure strategies are appropriate and support children's development.

Children who are disadvantaged receive support through effective use of additional funding. Leaders provide exciting experiences and trips. All children enjoy visiting local sheep and watching chicks hatch. These opportunities broaden their interests and support their progress from individual starting points. Staff monitor and support children previously known to social care and those facing other barriers sensitively, with ongoing communication between staff and families.

Overall, leaders monitor children's progress and review the support given. They identify where further action is needed. Staff have started to develop their understanding of how to support children with barriers to their learning and implement strategies appropriately.

Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard

Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for the curriculum and understand the strengths of their provision. They reflect on practice and generally make appropriate changes that support all children, including those with barriers to learning. Leaders are developing the outdoor environment and enriching experiences to improve outcomes for children. The curriculum is broad and sequenced to support children to build knowledge and skills over time.

Children typically benefit from purposeful teaching, particularly in communication and language. Staff model vocabulary and support children to develop their speaking skills through songs and everyday interactions. They introduce mathematical concepts through practical experiences, such as counting scoops in the sand, using scales when making dough and exploring symmetry through creative activities.

Leaders prioritise the care and development of babies. Staff receive appropriate training to ensure babies are safe and their developmental needs are understood, supporting secure attachments and early learning. Across the setting, children develop positive attitudes towards learning. They show curiosity, enthusiasm and a willingness to join in, which supports their readiness for school. Transitions are smooth. Children move confidently between rooms and on to their next stage. However, staff do not fully support children to develop a consistent love of reading across the setting. This means children do not always develop a secure interest in books and stories.

Achievement: Expected standard

Children make steady progress from their starting points across the curriculum. Children typically develop communication and language skills, including those who speak English as an additional language. All children learn to use new words and take part in conversations throughout the day. Children become increasingly confident in expressing their needs and interacting with others.

Children build on key areas of learning as they move through the setting. They broaden their knowledge of the world and develop creativity and imagination, particularly through role play. Children show curiosity and enjoyment in their learning. They are motivated to share their ideas, for instance, as they create homes for ladybirds, gathering soil and leaves. They demonstrate positive attitudes and their understanding of how to care for living things.

Children gain independence and confidence over time, which supports their readiness for school. They manage routines, make choices and engage in activities with increasing confidence. They are proud of their achievements and celebrate their successes.

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: Expected standard

Leaders have established a positive environment with clear expectations and 'golden rules' for children's behaviour. Children understand routines and generally follow instructions, helping the day to run smoothly. Children behave appropriately, showing kindness and respect towards others. Leaders promote children's attendance effectively. They support families to ensure children attend regularly and benefit from established routines.

Relationships between staff and children are warm and supportive. Children feel secure and respond well to guidance. Staff consider children's age and stage of development. They provide support to help them meet expectations, particularly during transitions and group times. When children with barriers to learning need further support to manage the routines, staff are responsive and supportive.

Overall, children begin to play collaboratively and get along with others. They take turns, share resources and join in with group activities, developing early social skills. However, staff do not consistently organise the environment to promote opportunities for children to work together and engage in sustained child-led play. As a result, some children play alongside others rather than together. They do not remain fully engaged in activities for extended periods.

Children's welfare and wellbeing: Expected standard

Staff typically meet children's individual needs through appropriate care practices. They know children well and generally respond to all children's needs attentively, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Babies form secure attachments with their key staff, who respond sensitively and provide comfort and reassurance. This supports children to feel safe and settled.

Children benefit from established routines, including sleeping, feeding and care practices, which staff follow well. Babies settle well to sleep, with cuddles and reassurance. Mealtimes are calm and sociable. Children are encouraged to be independent. For example, they serve food, wash their hands and manage their belongings.

Children are generally supported to develop an understanding about their personal safety. They take part in outdoor play, develop coordination and learn how to keep themselves safe. Children balance and negotiate on obstacle courses and practise throwing and aiming with basketballs, for instance. Children receive support to recognise and express their emotions. They talk about how they feel and begin to understand what helps them to regulate, supporting their emotional wellbeing. Staff check in regularly and monitor how children are feeling. However, staff do not consistently embed and explain teaching and learning about healthy lifestyles to children. Therefore, children do not consistently develop a secure understanding of healthy choices.

Leadership and governance: Expected standard

Leaders generally demonstrate an appropriate understanding of the setting's strengths and areas for development. They are reflective and typically take action to improve practice. For example, they have reviewed the outdoor environment and curriculum to better meet children's needs. Leaders make decisions in the best interests of children, including children who are disadvantaged, with special educational needs and/or disabilities or face barriers to learning. This ensures all children access a broad range of experiences.

Leaders work closely with families and external agencies, supporting children's needs and ensuring information is shared effectively. Parents and carers speak positively about the setting, particularly the communication they receive and how well staff know their children. They value the support provided and the support for their involvement in the setting's community.

Leaders prioritise staff wellbeing and workload. Staff feel supported through regular supervision sessions, clear communication and a positive team culture. Professional development, including training, observations and feedback, supports staff to develop their practice. However, leaders have not yet embedded some key aspects of their curriculum fully or enhanced staff's knowledge consistently in all areas.