Midway Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children appear happy and enthusiastic to learn. Children start their day dancing to music. They then join in carefully planned activities with their friends. Children enjoy listening to stories. They read about caterpillars and talk about the pictures they see. Children practise counting during the story. They copy staff by using their fingers to show how many caterpillars remain on each page. Staff help children to count accurately when they make mistakes. Children have lots of opportunities to practise what they have learned during their play. For example, they weigh balls of dough and pour water in containers to practise maths skills.

Children learn new words as they observe changes in the world around them. Children talk about 'melting' as their 'warm' hands turn snow into water. They smile as they play and collect the snow in containers, laughing as the snow falls in their faces. Children remind each other how to keep safe. They explain that the floor will 'get slippy' as the 'snow melts' when the sun begins to shine. Children behave well. They learn the rules and expectations of the setting and staff praise them for the kind things they do. Children share their toys. They work together with staff to roll the dough to make 'sausages' and 'peas' when pretending to make dinner.

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

• As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff focus on helping children to communicate and make friends. Staff help children to develop their speaking skills. They check that children understand instructions and information. Staff make learning meaningful by linking learning to children's families and interests. Staff ask questions and promote children's thinking. However, strategies that staff use are still being developed. Sometimes, language used to talk to the younger or less-able children is too complex. These children are not able to learn new words as quickly.
• Staff know the children well. They find out information about children before they begin. They then carefully plan activities that enable children to make the best progress. Children who require extra help are supported at an early stage. Staff work well with other agencies. They make sure that targets are appropriate and help children to catch up in their learning. Children with additional needs and/or disabilities are included well in the setting. All children have their needs met effectively.
• Children enjoy spending time with adults who play alongside them in their interests. Staff work together with children to make a house out of blocks. Staff add little people to develop children's play ideas and imagination. Children listen to what adults tell them and are confident to offer their own ideas. Staff listen to children when they talk about what they do at home, so children feel valued.
• Children show good levels of concentration. Staff help children to stay focused and complete tasks. They work together to find all the pieces of a jigsaw. They problem-solve by spotting colours and shapes. Staff help children to develop their ideas when making a collage. They talk to them and help them to use technology to look for picture ideas about space.
• Group activities happen throughout the day as part of the daily routine. However, these activities sometimes lack focus. It is not always clear what staff want children to learn. Children are not as motivated to join in during this time and learning is not as effective.
• Children are beginning to learn independent skills. They use name cards to choose friends for snack time. They pour their own drinks and spread toppings on their crackers. Children are confident to ask for help if they need it. They follow instructions well, such as washing their hands and tidying up. Children separate well from their parents and/or carers on arrival. They know the rules and routines of the setting.
• Staff work well with parents and other settings. They communicate effectively to ensure children are ready for their next stage. Parents feel supported and report that their children have 'flourished' since starting. Staff try to provide new opportunities for all children, such as visits to the local woodlands. They provide opportunities for lots of messy play, which parents say they do not often have time for.
• Staff feel well supported by the manager. The manager has tried to reduce paperwork for staff to enable them to spend more time with the children. The manager leads by example. Staff show good teamwork and cooperation. The manager has high expectations of her staff and the children. She is dedicated to ensuring that the new manager continues this when she leaves.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• simplify language and vocabulary to support younger or less-able children to develop their speech
• provide a clear intention for group work, to enable all children to take part and maximise opportunities for learning.