Play Planet Pre-School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children excel in this exceptionally nurturing, inclusive and stimulating environment, making rapid progress in all areas of learning. Staff deliver a highly responsive curriculum that reflects children's interests. They create inspirational experiences that spark children's curiosity, extend their thinking and foster a lifelong love of learning. Children take ownership of their learning, showing remarkable independence and an impressive 'can-do' attitude. Strong community partnerships, including visits to a local care home, enrich children's understanding of diversity and deepen their social connections.

Staff place children's emotional well-being at the heart of their practice. They skilfully use calm corners and family tree displays to help children independently recognise, articulate and manage their emotions. Carefully chosen resources, such as books explaining why parents may work from home, ease anxieties and build exceptional levels of resilience. Children arrive eager, confident and ready to engage in purposeful learning from the outset.

Staff deliver exemplary support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Inclusive strategies, such as visual timetables and sensory resources, ensure that every child accesses the curriculum fully. Staff adapt provision with expertise and respond sensitively to non-verbal cues, enabling children to feel safe, valued and deeply supported. As a result, all children build trust, thrive in their development and achieve highly from their starting points.

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

• Staff embed literacy and mathematics seamlessly into real-life contexts. Children count, measure and explore language naturally during play. Experiences such as the dinosaur pit expose children to the natural world, extending vocabulary to include words such as 'camouflage' and 'burrow'.
• The provision works extremely closely with families and external professionals to offer tailored support to children. Strategies are shared and reviewed regularly. Staff value professional input and use it effectively to enhance the provision and outcomes for children.
• Independence is consistently promoted by staff. Children proudly manage tasks such as putting on their own shoes or tidying away resources. Practitioners offer gentle guidance to build resilience and self-confidence very effectively.
• Parents speak extremely positively about the setting, describing it as a 'home from home' where children are nurtured and supported as individuals. They highlight significant progress in their children's development, particularly in communication and confidence.
• Children benefit from thoughtful use of funding to address gaps in learning, including speech and language. Staff's targeted support ensures that children are well prepared for future learning and can access the curriculum meaningfully.
• Staff thoughtfully record themselves reading chosen books and upload the videos, with linked activities. This enables all families to access learning at home. Children enjoy consistent and engaging story experiences that strengthen their language, literacy and communication skills, both at home and in the setting.
• Healthy routines are embedded thoroughly into daily life, with children brushing their teeth and experiencing a varied, nutritious menu. Staff consistently encourage positive health habits and broaden children's tastes and dietary experiences, supporting both physical well-being and independence superbly.
• Leaders very effectively enhance staff engagement and confidence through regular professional development opportunities, such as autism training. Consequently, staff deliver high-quality, responsive care and education, embedding new knowledge into daily practice.
• Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff sensitively support children to look after toys and equipment, resolve conflicts independently and remind one another of behavioural expectations. As a result, children develop strong social skills, show high levels of cooperation and demonstrate consistent positive behaviour.
• Staff ensure that cultural awareness, diversity and inclusion are thoroughly embedded into the provision. Children develop respect and understanding for differences in ability, family background and culture. For example, staff introduce Romanian cultural traditions to broaden children's awareness and strengthen their sense of belonging.
• Safeguarding practice is extremely impactful. Leaders respond swiftly and appropriately to concerns, working openly with families and professionals to reduce risks. Staff are well trained and confident in procedures. Therefore, children are kept safe, and staff feel empowered to manage sensitive situations with confidence.
• Partnership with families extends beyond communication. Staff encourage parents to share photos and videos from home, so children's learning is celebrated. Children feel exceptionally proud of their achievements, while parents feel valued as contributors to their child's education.