Northgate Pre-School And Toddlers

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children's ongoing learning and development is successfully promoted through the dedicated and skilled staff team. Home visits enable children to begin to form a bond with their key person prior to starting. Vital information is also obtained during these visits to ensure staff can meet the individual needs of each child. All children feel valued as they learn a hello song which incorporates each child's home language.

The manager has identified a robust curriculum supporting children to develop the fundamental core skills required to aid their future progression. Staff fully understand this vision, which enables them to continually create purposeful learning experiences. For example, a child begins to recall phases from a popular story during outside play. Staff use this spark to plan a bear hunt. A group of children excitedly go for a walk to a small forest area in search of the bear. During the experience, staff continue to implement their curriculum. Children listen and follow instructions as they learn to adhere to the simple rules which keep them safe. Back-and-forth conversations are encouraged as children answer questions while they recall the story. Children work together to make the bear a house. They consider how to move the heavy planks of wood and tyres safely as they create the house. Children's interest and active participation is ignited through staff continually creating exciting and motivational learning experiences.

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

• The exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable manager and staff team make use of every opportunity to create purposeful, hands-on learning experiences. The constant exchange of information between staff members, results in staff getting to know each child well. This enables all staff to build on each child's prior knowledge and skills, so that they reach their full potential.
• Children's communication, language and critical-thinking skills are successfully promoted. Staff model language, introduce new words and encourage children to hold conversations. Children are encouraged to find solutions to problems through the skilful questioning by staff.
• Staff model how to use the internet and books to find out information. For example, when playing with dinosaurs, story books and factual books are strategically included in the play area. Staff explain how they are going to use the book to find out the names of different dinosaurs. They then introduce new worlds like 'herbivore' and 'carnivore' and explain the meanings of these words.
• Children's good health, safety and independence are all very well supported. Following physical activities, children are encouraged to recognise how their heart beats faster. Their oral health is promoted through discussions, stories, and fun activities. Recognition and praise are also given for brushing their teeth at home.
• Children are actively supported to engage in planned group activities, through the sensitive coaching and gentle persuasion of staff. This results in children who show reluctance to initially engage, not missing out on valuable learning experiences. This also supports the learning of important life skills; sometimes there is an expectation for them to sit, listen and focus.
• Staff support children to manage and deal with their emotions. They help children to learn that sometimes they are unable to have what they want immediately. For example, some children are initially unhappy when they are not provided with their choice of coloured pen during an activity. Staff sensitively explain the reasons why, and children accept this and continue to engage in the activity.
• Well planned, sequenced, interactive learning opportunities support children to develop important physical skills in preparation for learning to write. During movement and music activities, children use pens enthusiastically, to draw lines, circles, and arcs on large sheets of paper. Play dough activities also help children to develop muscle control in their fingers. As children's skills and control develop, staff help them to learn how to hold their pens with the correct grip. As children progress, they begin to develop control and coordination as they start to draw recognisable pictures and letters.
• Comprehensive information is continually shared with parents, which enables every child to reach their full potential. Parents are invited into the setting to share first-hand information about their job roles, backgrounds, and beliefs. This broadens children's experiences and knowledge of the world in which they live.