Little Stars Pre School Ifield Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are very happy and have an exciting time at this vibrant pre-school. New children show that they feel safe, settled and secure through their smiles and hugging the attentive staff. Children have immense fun exploring the rich, varied and imaginative activities set out for them, indoors and outdoors. For example, indoors, children play excitedly in a superb den that is based on a popular story. They learn how various animals make friendships and are considerate to each other. Children are curious and concentrate for extended periods of time when they make pretend teeth for play figures. Outdoors, children enthusiastically work together, just like the characters in the story, to build a strong house.

Children who speak English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are extremely well supported. For instance, they jump with excitement and laugh as staff demonstrate how to build play figures with body parts and clothes. Children are captivated in the activity and are fully included. They have excellent modelling from staff. Therefore, children quickly use new words, which helps them to make rapid connections between their home languages and English.

Children behave extremely well. They show that they are developing a deep level of care and respect for each other. For instance, children help themselves to a sand timer and negotiate whose turn it will be next to play with a popular toy drill.

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

• The enthusiastic provider has high expectations for children. She is passionate about providing the best experiences for children and works tirelessly with the dedicated staff to achieve this. They continually reflect on practice and implement new ideas to enhance children's learning. For example, they use real tools as much as possible in the imaginative play areas, such as pliers and spanners. This has had a positive impact on developing children's self-esteem and their hand-eye coordination.
• Staff are highly valued and the provider gives high priority to their well-being. They say that they love working at the setting. The provider ensures staff have an excellent knowledge of the curriculum and how their teaching has an impact on children's future well-being. Teaching is fun and highly motivates children. For instance, at the invitation of children, staff members dress up and they try on wigs together. They laugh and talk together and share ideas. This helps to enhance children's communication skills and they share new vocabulary.
• Staff continually increase their skills through personalised professional development, such as specific medical training and how to deliver inclusive practice. Consequently, all children, including those with SEND, are fully included and receive excellent care and attention. For example, staff ensure that children's health needs are sensitively monitored and they take swift action to ensure their well-being is protected.
• Partnership with parents is exceptional. Parents comment on the excellent care of their children and the superb support they received from the provider during the COVID-19 pandemic. They say that the children's activity packs and the food parcels delivered to them were a 'life saver' during difficult times.
• Children's oral hygiene is given a high priority. For instance, children have great fun as they take part in activities to learn about caring for their teeth. They learn how their bodies work and how to care for themselves. Their fascination with skeleton pictures and pretend bones leads to complex discussions about diversity and how others may be different to them. Staff extend children's knowledge further by explaining the names of bones that children are interested in, such as the spine. Therefore, children are curious and their vocabulary increases.
• The provider carefully considers children's needs, when using funding to broaden their experiences. She pays for visiting adults to carry out specific sports, such as ball games, to help develop children's physical and coordination skills. The provider ensures that these activities highly motivate children. She takes into consideration the comprehensive information gained from parents and other professionals, such as health visitors.
• Children have a wealth of opportunities to learn about differences, the wider world and keeping safe. They visit the railway station and local shops. The provider arranges online live streams for children to sing songs with residents of a care home. This helps children's communication skills and further enhances their confidence.