Mobberley Pre-School Playgroup

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are offered a wealth of opportunities to help support their learning and development. For example, children learn to control their movements and to be still and calm as they take part in yoga classes. Each week they receive external sports coaching. Children learn a variety of skills which help to support their physical development as well as knowledge of different sporting activities. Nature is treated as an important part of children's education. Children explore the pre-school's nature garden, learning about changes through the seasons. They play outdoors daily, which supports their health and well-being. The pre-school is a key part of the community. Children take part in various community events throughout the year. They often go out, exploring the local area and meeting the people who live in it. This helps children to understand their own place within their community. Children display positive behaviour. They are happy and safe.

Children access a variety of resources independently. They make their own choices about how they play. For example, children use soft toys as animals in role play. The engaging curriculum helps children to develop new knowledge and skills. Children respond positively to the high expectations staff set for them. Children are able to focus and concentrate on activities for extended periods. For example, they sit on the carpet to sing songs about the sounds that letters make. Afterwards, they draw their own snakes on the floor in chalk. They are eager to share their drawings with staff, which shows the positive relationships children have with adults.

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

• Staff know children very well. They plan next steps to meet children's individual needs. Staff create activities and provide purposeful teaching to help children to meet their next steps. Children make good progress in their learning.
• Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is good. Staff use a variety of strategies to support children. For example, they hold children's hands to help them to slow down and they use a traffic light system to support behaviour. Staff work with other agencies, such as health visitors and the local authority, to help provide any additional support that children need. Children with SEND are valued members of the pre-school community.
• Support for children's communication and language is good. Staff teach children lots of new words, such as 'attract' and 'repel'. They model language and repeat key words for children. Staff use visual signs to support children's understanding. This helps children to become confident communicators.
• Children usually behave well. However, there are times when staff intervene to support children's positive behaviour. At these times, staff do not always explain to children why they are expected to behave in a certain way. For example, children are told not to run, but it is not explained why this is a rule in this area. This inhibits children's ability to understand the expectations set for them.
• Children are highly motivated to learn and are captivated by engaging activities. For example, children explore magnets, investigating what materials are magnetic and which ones are not. They eagerly explore the large hall with magnets, seeking out magnetic materials. This helps to make learning exciting for children so that they become fully involved.
• Staff help children to develop their independence skills. Children take off their own coats and hang them up when they arrive. They put their belongings by their name. Children pour their own drinks at snack time. Staff encourage children to wipe their own noses, put their tissues in the bin and use hand gel. Children develop a good level of independence and self-care skills.
• Partnerships with parents are positive and valuable. Staff consider how best to communicate with parents to suit their individual needs. This means that parents receive communication in a way that works best for them. Staff send home 'Kevin the kangaroo' with children, which provides a talking point for families and staff. Parents know how to continue and extend children's learning at home.
• Staff undertake a variety of training to support their individual needs. Supervisions are effective at identifying training needs. This helps to ensure staff practice is always improving. The management team provides good support for staff, which helps them to fulfil their roles to the best of their ability.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen behaviour management strategies to help children to understand what is expected of them and why.