Noah's Ark Community Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive happily at this welcoming setting. On arrival, they are warmly greeted by caring staff and their peers before settling down at an activity of their choice. Children develop close and trusting relationships with adults, who know them well and respond to their needs. This helps children feel safe, secure and ready to learn.

Leaders and staff are ambitious for all children. They plan a broad and well sequenced curriculum that focuses on promoting communication, physical, social skills and independence. Children are curious learners, who are eager to explore. Staff organise activities based on children's interests to engage them fully in their learning. Children develop the skills they need for their future learning.

Staff provide an inclusive, community-focused environment, where every child is valued and respected. Children learn about a variety of traditions and cultural festivals. For example, children visit different places of worship and explore henna patterns as they learn about the celebration of Diwali.

Children learn to identify their emotions. Staff use visual aids and language prompts to help children understand and express their feelings. Children are learning to manage and regulate their emotions and develop positive relationships with others.

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

• Leaders are very committed to supporting children and their families. All children receive the help they need to make consistently good progress. Staff implement early interventions and provide carefully tailored support, such as small-group language sessions, music activities and one-to-one time. Leaders and staff work closely with parents and other professionals to identify children who may need extra help. This contributes to narrowing gaps in children's learning and development quickly. Funding, such as the early years pupil premium, is used to enrich the curriculum and provide children with experiences they might not access otherwise.
• Staff extend children's learning during play. They introduce new words and ask effective questions that encourage children to think and explain their ideas. For example, while making marks with ice cubes dipped in paint, staff prompt children to talk about textures, temperature and changes.
• Children are imaginative. They thrive in the role-play area as they play shops with their friends and staff. Children recall what they have previously learned and respond by naming different foods, such as aubergine, cheese and onions. They laugh together and pretend to be surprised when the shop suddenly closes. Children learn how to share and wait their turn.
• Children develop independence through daily routines and enjoy the responsibility of small tasks. They peel and cut fruits and vegetables for their snacks, spread butter on their toast, pour drinks and tidy-up resources. This fosters children's sense of achievement.
• Children behave well. They play cooperatively and show kindness. Staff consistently reinforce expectations for behaviour and praise children's efforts and achievements. This helps to build their confidence and self-esteem.
• Effective partnerships with parents contribute to children's learning and overall well-being. Staff share information about children's development and promote home learning. For example, they organise workshops and send home resources that parents can use to support their children's development. Parents value the support and guidance they receive and speak positively about the detailed communication from staff.
• Children enjoy nutritious meals and try new food. They access fresh air and exercise daily. While children are encouraged to make healthy choices, staff do not consistently extend their understanding of why certain foods are good for their bodies and development.
• Children show good fine and gross motor skills. They enjoy exploring the water area, pouring water from pots into funnels and squeezing pipettes. They competently move in a variety of ways as they balance, climb up the steps of the slide and slide down.
• Leaders and staff are dedicated to their roles and work well as a team. They regularly meet to evaluate and develop their practice. Staff benefit from ongoing supervision and attend training relevant to the needs of the children in their care. This helps to improve their knowledge and has a positive impact on children's outcomes.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to help children learn about the benefits of certain foods, to further promote their ability to make healthy choices.