Parkroyal Pre-school

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children receive a very warm welcome from staff as they arrive at pre-school. They are dropped off and collected from the friendly staff at the pre-school gate. This is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to help keep children safe. Children show that they feel safe in this pre-school, as they part from their parents with ease. They are happy and play well with their friends. Children enjoy exploring the indoor and outdoor environment to discover the different activities that staff have set up for them. Children have great fun playing on the large climbing equipment outside. This supports them to develop their balance and coordination skills. Children behave well in this pre-school. Staff have high expectations for children. This prepares children well for their next stage in learning.

Leaders identify some gaps in children's learning, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Particularly, children's personal, social and emotional development. Staff offer good levels of emotional support to children. They provide them with lots of reassurance, praise and encouragement. Therefore, children settle well and develop their self-confidence. This helps to promptly close any gaps in children's learning. Children learn good hygiene practises, as they wash their hands throughout the day. This also helps to reduce the spread of infection.

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

• Leaders have a clear plan in place for what they want children to learn next. Staff know children very well. They plan opportunities that help children to build on prior learning. Children make good progress with their mathematical development. They learn about patterns, shapes and size through their play. However, staff do not always effectively plan group time sessions to meet the needs of the youngest children. Therefore, at times these children become distracted and lose focus.
• Staff support children's communication and language development well, using familiar stories and songs. They speak with expressive voices while reading to children. Staff encourage children to join in with the main events of the book. This supports children to learn new words and sentence structures. However, staff do not always give children enough chances to ask questions and clarify their understanding. For example, after staff have given instructions for planned activities.
• Children are kind to each other. They respond well to the calm environment that staff have created. Children are happy to share and take turns with each other. However, staff do not always support children to develop their independence skills at all times. For example, staff put on children's coats for them and hang these up after outdoor play. Therefore, children do not always develop a have a go attitude.
• Children learn about some of the ways that they can keep themselves healthy. They enjoy a nutritious snack of fruit and cereal. Children have ample opportunity to play outside. They get lots of fresh air and exercise. Children have more opportunity to be active inside as they enjoy moving to music. This helps to develop their large muscles and supports children's physical development.
• Children make choices in their play. They are encouraged to follow setting rules, such as walking inside. Staff support children to celebrate what makes them unique. They invite children to explore different cultures, faiths, and beliefs. Therefore, children learn about the world around them.
• Leaders support staff well. Staff have lots of opportunities to talk to leaders about their own well-being. This ensures staff can offer high levels of care to children. Leaders effectively identify staff training needs. Staff share good practice with each other to improve the learning experiences of children.
• Leaders have good relationships with other professionals. Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. Therefore, all children are making good progress in this pre-school.
• Parents speak highly of the setting. They feel that staff support their children's development well. Parents comment that they feel their children have made progress in their learning because of attending this pre-school. They are happy with the communication they receive from staff. Parents feel confident to continue children's learning at home due, to the guidance staff provide them.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• enhance group time to meet the individual needs of all children, particularly the youngest of children
• encourage children to develop their independence skills further, throughout all times of the day
• provide children with more chances to ask questions and test out their understanding.