Dandelion Education Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children flourish in this nurturing and responsive outdoor setting. Staff take a highly individualised approach to settling children into the setting. Staff are warm, gentle and patient. They develop secure attachments with children. This helps children to feel safe and secure. Staff are highly attuned to children's individual needs. They treat children with deep respect and value their contributions.

There is a strong focus on promoting children's emotional well-being. Staff use emotion cards to support children to recognise and express complex feelings, such as confusion and frustration. Staff teach children to listen to others, respect different viewpoints and understand the concept of consent. Staff model outstanding behaviour. Children are extremely kind and respectful. They develop meaningful relationships with others.

A bespoke 'philosophy' ethos underpins the curriculum. Staff encourage children to think critically and solve problems. Children engage in rich discussions, such as whether monkeys lay eggs and how to use a pulley system in the trees. This helps to develop children's curiosity and reasoning skills. Staff are passionate advocates for inclusive practice. They swiftly identify children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff work in close partnership with families and professionals to provide targeted support. All children make excellent progress in their learning and development.

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

• Staff provide excellent support to help children to understand and manage risk. Children actively participate in risk assessments. They check gates, trees and the firepit. Children think about the dangers these pose and how to minimise the risks. Staff teach children songs to reinforce safe behaviours, particularly around the fire and hazards, such as fungi. They ask children to consider whether they feel safe. Children demonstrate a strong understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe.
• Staff foster children's independence, resilience and confidence. They nurture children's creativity and independence through hands-on experiences. Children design and create their own toys. Staff support children to draw their design and think about the resources they might need. They reinforce the safety protocols children need to follow. Children competently use tools, such as hammers and drills, demonstrating good coordination and focus. They gain a huge sense of achievement and proudly share their creations with their peers and adults.
• Teaching is consistently outstanding. Children are deeply immersed in their learning. Attentive staff support children to learn, adapting their approach to meet children's needs. At mealtimes, children wash their hands thoroughly and discuss with staff the impact of germs on their bodies. Staff and children cook pancakes on the fire and discuss nutrition. Children demonstrate a thorough knowledge of food groups, such as carbohydrates and proteins.
• Support for children's communication and language is a key strength in the setting. Children are captivated when watching staff tell a story using sign language, facial expressions and props. This develops children's focus and attention. Younger children enjoy group stories and develop their speech, while older children go on 'sound hunts' to help them to develop their early literacy knowledge. Staff teach children how to use books effectively, thinking about the blurb, deciphering pictures and predicting what will happen next.
• Parents and carers say that the setting has changed their children's lives. They marvel at the significant progress their children have made with their emotional awareness, communication skills and risk management. Parents feel respected and empowered and many choose to keep their children in the setting for their Reception year. Staff ensure that children are well prepared for the next stage of education. They work with local schools to provide children with a smooth transition.
• Leadership and management are inspirational. Leaders hold strong values about early education, which they embed across the staff team. They provide staff with a detailed handbook, which ensures there is consistency of practice across the setting. Leaders provide exceptional support for staff through induction and ongoing supervision sessions. They promote a reflective culture. Staff are open to feedback and committed to continuous improvement. They feel very well supported and are keenly motivated to continue developing their skills and knowledge.