Fairlands Pre-School CIC

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children flourish in this nurturing pre-school. They are excited to arrive and separate from carers with ease. Children are highly motivated and eager to explore activities. Staff are skilled at providing exciting opportunities to support children's learning across all areas of the curriculum. For example, children are learning about growth. Staff construct an exciting shoe shop area to encourage children to measure and compare feet. They link this to the story of a familiar fairy tale to support children's literacy development.

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They are kind and considerate to their friends. They pass bowls of fruit around during snack, always remembering to thank one another. Children understand their responsibilities in the pre-school. Children work well as a team to complete tasks. For example, they work together to tidy the garden area before lunch. They collect the ride on vehicles and pass them to their friends who line them up safely.

Children are highly sociable and engage exceptionally well with visitors. They invite them to join in activities and are keen to show them around their pre-school. For example, children are excited to show staff and visitors the lawnmowers which are cutting the neighbouring grounds. They wave enthusiastically to the groundsmen and delight when they wave back.

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

• Children have a very good understanding of appropriate behaviours. Staff support this exceptionally well during sessions of circle time. Children delight when they receive stickers and praise for their positive behaviour. Staff and children explore the 'Golden Rule' book where children confidently explain the rules of the setting and why they exist.
• Staff work incredibly closely with families to support children who struggle to manage their feelings. They implement strategies to provide consistency between home and pre-school. Children who have historically struggled are making exceptional progress in this area of learning.
• Children are developing a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. They enjoy healthy snacks and have continuous access to the large outdoor area. Staff encourage children to explore the effects that exercise has on their bodies. For example, they explain why it is important to drink water after running in the heat.
• Parents speak highly of staff and the positive impact they have on children's development. They value the effort staff make in getting to know all children. For example, families have individual visits prior to children starting. This allows staff and families to share vital information to support children in settling swiftly.
• Children's confidence is exceptionally well promoted in the pre-school. Their individual skills and interests are celebrated and shared amongst their friends. For example, children proudly talk about how they are experts in various subjects, such as dinosaurs.
• Managers reflect well on all aspects of the setting. They explore alternative procedures to meet the changing needs of families and children. For example, they are investigating various methods of electronic communication in order to further support children's development at home.
• Staff engage well with families from the start. Parents provide detailed information about children's early experiences. Regular consultation sessions ensure families remain well informed about children's development. Staff use these meetings to keep up to date with children's changing circumstances. This enables staff to provide opportunities children may otherwise not receive.
• Managers establish strong professional relationships with other settings. Children visit the on-site nursery and school on several occasions prior to starting. Staff communicate well with future teaching staff. This supports children's swift transition to the next stage of learning.
• Staff regularly assess children's development. They talk confidently about the abilities and next steps of children in the pre-school. However, staff do not always make use of this knowledge to plan activities that consistently challenge the learning needs of more able children.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• enhance the planning of activities to consistently meet the needs of the most able children.