Kingsland Pre-Prep

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children have a brilliant start to their education and thrive at this nursery. Staff equip children with the language, knowledge and attributes to last them a long time. Staff encourage children constantly, and their enthusiasm is infectious. Children try incredibly hard as they learn, laugh and play. Staff use many effective ways to get the best out of children. Over time, children's confidence blossoms.

Children love their time at the nursery. They wave goodbye to their parents and carers with a smile. Their day begins with a warm welcome from nurturing and dedicated staff. Children feel safe, secure and valued because of the remarkably strong bond between staff and children. Staff support children to be kind, caring and respectful of each other. Children learn to explore and understand how to be a good friend.

Children are busy learners, who play and learn extremely well together. They show excitement and curiosity in the well-resourced outdoor area. For instance, children work out the routes to make water flow, discuss flavours of ice-cream cones when measuring out sand, and carefully navigate their way around an obstacle course.

Children's development of language and vocabulary is a particular strength of the nursery. Staff make every word count, ensuring that children hear a wide and relevant vocabulary. For example, children are encouraged to use movement words in dance. The words that children learn are carefully considered, starting with the language of their needs and wants, then conversational and descriptive language.

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

• Leaders are ambitious for all children to become active and confident learners in all areas of learning, such as early reading. They establish highly effective approaches to a curriculum where children learn important knowledge in a planned and sequenced order. For example, in mathematics, children achieve well by arranging shapes in patterns to then create their own story houses from shapes. Children excel in physical activities indoors and outdoors because this is equally very well planned, such that they progress from balancing on straight paths to curved ones.
• Staff model kindness and support children to develop very caring bonds. They do not accept any form of unkind behaviour, and they swiftly help children to sort out any minor upsets. Staff do all they can to ensure that children feel safe and happy. Children behave extremely well. They understand the importance of turn taking and sharing. Children are exceptionally polite, well mannered, and give a very warm welcome to visitors.
• From the time that children start, staff work closely with families to get an accurate insight into children's strengths, interests and needs. They evaluate children's development precisely, which helps leaders to identify any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children with SEND and other needs make excellent progress because staff follow tailored plans to support children every step of the way.
• Children's learning goes beyond the nursery. Staff help them to expand their horizons, experience and interests. Children learn about the local area and key public places. For example, they visit shops, restaurants and the local garden centre. This gives children very useful experience for when talking, learning and playing. Children listen to stories and talks from visitors, such as a dentist. This develops their understanding of the world and people from a range of community services.
• Parents are extremely pleased with the nursery. They praise the staff and leaders. Parents comment that they feel that staff meet their children's individual academic and personal development exceptionally well. They are delighted with the small-group sizes and the personalised approach. This ensures that each child's individual needs are understood. Parents commend the friendly, approachable and caring staff. They are positive about the way in which their children are well prepared for the next stage in their education. Families get involved with their children's learning at home through the regular nursery news and library books that their children bring home.
• Staff's workload is manageable because they receive excellent training in peer observations and use clear and efficient systems. This means that they can develop focused interactions for children's learning without distraction. Staff feel appreciated and valued. They say that they are also well supported by their peers.