Greenside Care Club

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are inspired and thrive at this exceptional and highly stimulating pre-school. Their well-being and safety are of the highest importance to the manager and staff, who place children at the heart of everything they do. Staff sensitively meet the individual needs of the children, with respect and kindness. Valuable home visits contribute towards the secure relationships that children immediately form with staff when they start.

Children benefit from a team of staff who offer exemplary teaching across a rich and varied curriculum. Children are deeply involved in their learning, displaying constant enjoyment and motivation when they play and learn. They have access to an abundance of activities that help them to make progress in their learning. For example, children are supported to think critically and learn about density as they experiment during water play. Staff skilfully extend learning by asking children to find objects they think will float and sink, such as stones and balls. All children make excellent progress.

Children's behaviour is exceptional. They listen to staff's instructions and know the routines of the day extremely well. Staff act as incredible role models and reinforce their expectations of children's behaviour exceedingly well. For instance, they lead by example, encouraging children to listen to each other, take turns and share resources. Staff consistently use praise and encouragement to support children's behaviour. Consequently, children display impeccable manners and exemplary levels of respect and kindness towards one another.

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

• The manager is inspirational and continually strives for improvement. She works together with staff, parents and the children to evaluate her practice and provide the best possible experiences for children. Staff are exceptionally enthusiastic and committed to their roles. They say that they feel well supported in both their professional development and well-being. The manager provides staff with continual feedback on their performance and encourages staff to reflect on their own practice.
• The manager and staff have incredibly high aspirations for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The special educational needs coordinator is an excellent advocate for children with SEND. She works together with other professionals, such as speech therapists, to devise strategies and support. For example, children take part in small weekly intervention groups to support their speech and language development. Children with SEND are fully included and make the best possible progress.
• Children are highly independent. Staff precisely tailor daily routines, so that children receive continuous challenge to support their independence. This is evident when they give children responsibilities such as 'helper of the day'. Children count the number of children who would like milk and write the number on a white board for staff. They take great pride in this and show visitors their helper's badge. In addition, children enthusiastically sing the handwashing song as they independently wash their hands before snack and mealtimes. This supports children to gain the skills they need for the next stage in their learning.
• The excellent working relationship with the host school and teachers is a key strength of the pre-school. Managers and staff work incredibly hard to build excellent relationships with the host school. The headteacher at the school values their relationship and praises the positive impact the pre-school has on children's school readiness. As a result, children are exceptionally well prepared for the move to school as the transition process is seamless.
• Partnership with parents is exceptional. Parents are overwhelming positive about their children's experiences at the pre-school. They say their children receive great care, amazing early years education and form long lasting friendships. Communication is a real strength of the pre-school and parents are kept well informed about their children's learning and development. For example, parents attend regular parents' evenings, weekly newsletters and an online learning platform.
• Staff prioritise children's communication and language in every interaction. They listen to children and enrich their experiences by introducing new vocabulary and repeating words back to them. Staff ask questions and provide plenty of time for children to respond. Children know they are respected and listened to intently.
• Children are routinely introduced to different cultures and traditions that may differ from their own. For example, staff use an interactive screen to share photos of children's families and holidays they have been on to different countries. They learn about and celebrate different festival events, such as Christmas and Chinese New Year. This helps children understand the world around them and prepares them for life in modern Britain.