Little Owls Pre-School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive confident and behave well. They quickly get to know the routines, which helps them to feel safe and secure. Children eagerly participate in the morning circle time. For example, they recite the days of the week and discuss the weather. Older children confidently count how many children are present and predict the number of adults before finding out if they are correct. Children are encouraged to lead their learning. For example, young children spontaneously sing familiar songs and do the actions. Older children confidently select resources for a purpose and discuss how they can make a bridge, adding animals to make a zoo. Children initiate conversations, knowing they will get a good response from staff. Staff listen and respond well to the children, recasting mispronounced words for children to hear. They are deployed effectively for children to make full use of the environment. For example, outside, children explore the trees, search for bugs under logs and have discussions in the wigwam.

Parents' written and verbal feedback is very positive. They confirm how much their children have progressed, especially in their confidence and language skills. Parents are confident their children are safe and comment on the good two-way communication with staff.

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

• The manager and deputy are new to their posts, although they have both been promoted in the strong staff team. The owner supports staff's welfare effectively. She recognises the importance of keeping her experienced and skilled team. The management team has already started to evaluate practice, including seeking staff's and parents' views. The team has begun to identify priorities for development, such as observing the quality of teaching and reinstating the tracking system for monitoring children's development.
• The manager has a clear curriculum which focuses appropriately on embedding children's prime areas of learning and preparing them for school. Staff make good use of their observations to know what children can do and what they need to learn next. They identify any gaps in children's development and plan effectively to narrow them. The special educational needs coordinator ensures that children receive any additional support to help them catch up with their peers. However, staff do not always make full use of activities to extend children's mathematical development.
• Staff have attended sign language training to support children's language skills. Children have daily stories and singing sessions to broaden their imagination, extend their vocabulary and develop a love of books. Staff encourage children to use books in all their activities, to support and extend their knowledge and understanding. However, staff do not always ensure that children can listen and concentrate, without distractions, during whole-group story time.
• Children have a good understanding of a healthy lifestyle. They know to wash their hands after touching worms and insects, before eating and after using the toilet. Even young children wash their hands after having their nappy changed. Children have nutritious snacks and discuss healthy eating during activities. They have daily opportunities to be active indoors and outdoors.
• Staff provide good support for children to become increasingly independent, persevere and want to achieve. For example, children beam with pride when staff tell them, 'I knew you could do it.' Staff provide good role models for children to be kind and considerate. For example, they explain how worms are good for the soil and give our vegetables nutrients, so children are gentle when handling them. There are strong, positive relationships between staff and children.
• The manager and deputy have implemented their new knowledge from training to change the way they help children to settle on arrival. They now take the children outside first, which has a positive impact on them, especially their behaviour and well-being. In addition, children extend their understanding of nature and build their large-muscle skills.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help children to listen and concentrate during whole-group stories
• support staff in using activities and experiences to extend children's mathematical development.