Little Fawns Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children enjoy attending this lively pre-school. Staff's commitment to their work and their procedures to understand each child and their experiences play a substantial part in helping children to settle and grow in confidence. Staff have high expectations of what children can do. They are good role models and demonstrate positive attitudes. Children mirror this and confidently play and explore. For example, children playing with water use different containers and compare the volumes. They experiment as they stretch up and spray the water from different heights, noting the patterns it makes as it lands.

Staff have attended further training and now offer children practical and consistent support in managing their behaviour. They talk with children about feelings and help them to understand how their actions affect others. Activities and daily discussions support children well in learning about healthy practices. For example, children playing outside talk with staff about the benefits of being in the fresh air and getting plenty of exercise. Staff supervise children well and ensure that all areas are safe. Their ongoing explanations aid children in building a practical understanding of safety. For instance, when using the woodland area, children know how to carry sticks safely and assess how far they feel safe to climb trees.

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

• Staff responded positively to actions set at the last inspection. They have completed further training and made changes that have contributed significantly to improving the pre-school. Staff receive practical supervision that aids them in reviewing their work and making further improvements.
• All staff fully understand the pre-school's curriculum. They observe children and build logically on what they are learning, confidently using children's interests as a way of capturing their attention and extending their knowledge and skills. The very practical monitoring of children's progress is a particular strength and means that any weaker areas of learning are quickly addressed. Staff make good use of additional funding to offer children further play opportunities that help to promote their development.
• Staff support all children, including those who speak English as an additional language, to develop their language and communication skills. They use small-group activities well to aid children in learning new vocabulary and to start to form sentences. Children have many opportunities to practise their language skills. For instance, children playing with the mud kitchen describe what they are 'cooking', and tell one another 'sit down, your dinner is ready.'
• Children show an enjoyment of books and reading. They often choose favourite books and settle down to read them with staff. They also enjoy accessing these independently. For example, children select books and take these back to a den they have made. They eagerly show one another the pictures and help each other to remember the different stories.
• Staff show children that they are kind, polite and respectful. Children reflect this in their daily play and enjoy participating in activities that aid them in understanding differences. For example, children visit a care home for older people, where they share puzzles, games and books. This interaction supports them in understanding different needs and experiences.
• Staff usually build on children's play and encourage them to answer questions. However, on occasion, staff do not offer children enough challenge during some activities to help them think critically and make the best possible progress in their learning.
• Staff generally encourage children's independence. For example, children enjoy making independent choices about what to play with. However, at times, staff do things for children that they could do themselves, such as putting on their shoes and coats. This sometimes confuses children and does not promote their independence to the optimum.
• Parents report that they are very happy with the pre-school. They note how well staff know the children and recognise each child's individual personality and needs. Staff communicate well with parents and support them in building on their children's learning. For example, they offer resources for parents and children to use at home.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• build on the opportunities that challenge children and encourage them to think critically and solve problems as they play
• support staff to consistently implement the agreed approaches to promoting children's independence.