Menston Pre School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive at this wonderfully welcoming setting. They are greeted at the door by their key person before waving goodbye to their parents and carers. Children are eager to learn and greet their friends excitedly. They chat about their morning confidently, excited to share news from home. Children have great relationships with staff. They run to them affectionately with a smile. This is because staff know them incredibly well. Staff take time to get to know children before they start at the setting and have regular catch-ups with parents. This promotes the children's positive sense of well-being.

The curriculum is inspiring and ambitious for every child. The setting has a child-centred approach. It is driven by children's interests. Children take the lead. This is skilfully supported by adults who use everything as a learning opportunity. Children talk with the inspector about Egypt and the pyramids. Others are excited to talk about flamingos and explain why they are pink. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make rapid progress.

Adults' expectations of children's behaviour are clear. As a result, children have excellent behaviour. Children listen intently, they follow instruction and demonstrate a positive attitude to their learning. Children learn how to solve problems and be respectful to others. They help and encourage each other through their play.

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

• The education provided at this setting is inclusive, ambitious and adaptable. It supports every child, including those with SEND, to progress through all areas of their learning. This prepares them well for the next stage in their education. The curriculum is well designed. Children are focused and engaged in their learning. Children learn about the world around them. Visitors come and talk about other faiths and professions. For example, children enjoy a visit from the local dentist. They have lots of opportunities to get out and about in the local community. This prepares them well for life in modern Britain.
• Children learn how to stay strong and healthy. They benefit from healthy and nutritious snacks that they prepare themselves. They learn about waste and sustainability. For example, they visit the 'community fridge' to get their snack. Children have plentiful opportunities to practise their physical skills daily. Children explore risk and enjoy challenge. They support each other as they climb trees, cheering 'Come on, you can do it.' As a result, children demonstrate great resilience and have a 'can-do' attitude. This gives them valuable skills that they need to succeed in life.
• Adults support the language and communication development of all children incredibly well. Children develop a love of reading as they listen to stories enthusiastically read by adults. Adults skilfully use questions to enhance and extend children's learning. They strengthen children's critical thinking skills as they offer them problems to solve. Children benefit from a language-rich environment that builds on children's current vocabulary, introducing new words. Those that need additional support are given it through meaningful interventions. As a result, all children are confident communicators.
• Partnerships with parents are extremely strong. Parents are highly complimentary of the setting, acknowledging that staff go above and beyond to include them in their children's educational journey. This includes attending stay- and-play sessions, along with grandparents. Parents are kept well informed about their children's progress and about how to support children's learning further at home.
• Leadership and management at the setting are inspirational and worthy of dissemination to others. The managers inclusive, ambitious and adaptable vision drives the setting's constant improvement. Most recently, for example, the setting has introduced a designated outdoor classroom where all children can learn about, and experience, nature at its best. Safeguarding is a real strength at the setting. Children's safety and well-being are paramount. Staff are well trained and well supported. Consequently, all children are safe and receive the support they need. Adult's skills are recognised and used effectively. They talk passionately about the setting and their role. They feel happy and valued.