Poppins Preschool and Nursery

Inclusion: Strong standard

Staff know and support children very well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They quickly identify when children may need additional support and tailor strategies to meet their individual needs. Staff work effectively with other professionals. They swiftly seek guidance and make timely referrals to other professionals to secure the correct help. This means children receive the support they need to make progress, which helps to close any gaps in their learning.

Leaders and staff have high expectations for all children. They recognise the importance of ensuring that children of all ages and developmental stages access the best possible experiences. For example, targeted training on supporting babies has strengthened staff's knowledge and understanding, enabling them to include the youngest children in rich, high-quality learning opportunities.

Leaders and staff work closely in partnership with parents. They ensure that parents receive daily updates about children's progress and development, keeping them well informed and actively involved in their child's learning. When required, staff signpost families to external professionals for additional support, such as health visitors. This helps to secure the best possible outcomes for children. Furthermore, leaders have established a strong culture of home learning. For instance, parents are encouraged to read regularly with their children at home. This means children develop a love of books, strengthen their early language skills and make continued progress in their learning beyond the setting.

Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard

Overall, leaders plan a broad and varied curriculum that supports children's learning across all areas of development. Leaders and staff demonstrate a secure understanding of how young children learn. They have a clear vision of what they want children to know, understand and be able to do in most aspects of the curriculum. This is evident in terms of the curriculum for the prime areas of learning. There is a strong focus on developing children's communication and language skills. Staff implement targeted plans to support children's speech and language development. For example, they model language effectively by breaking speech down into two- and three-word sentences. This helps children to build their vocabulary, develop confidence and make rapid progress.

Staff promote mathematical understanding and language through their interactions and incidental opportunities. For instance, children are introduced to counting in sequence while joining in with familiar songs, such as 'Five Little Monkeys'. Additionally, they encourage children to match numerals to quantities. However, their knowledge and understanding of how to sequence the curriculum for mathematics is not fully embedded. This means that children do not always understand specific concepts before moving on to learn something new.

Achievement: Expected standard

Overall, children are achieving well, develop positive attitudes to learning and are well prepared for the next stage of learning, including school. They make good progress from their starting points, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff use assessments effectively to identify children's next steps and provide tailored support to help close gaps in their learning. As a result, children develop good communication and language skills. They confidently use new vocabulary, express their ideas and engage in meaningful conversations.

Staff support children to develop the skills required to look after themselves. Children show high levels of independence. Staff provide rich opportunities for them to look after their own needs, such as encouraging them to put on their hats, coats and wellington boots for outdoor play. They demonstrate good levels of curiosity and resilience as they explore their environment and persevere with challenges. For instance, they use critical thinking skills to make balancing structures safer to walk on. As a result, they develop a good understanding of managing their own risks.

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: Strong standard

Children behave extremely well. Staff are excellent role models and provide consistent positive reinforcement, which encourages children to make good choices. Children develop secure levels of confidence, self-esteem and independence. There is a solid focus on helping children treat others fairly and respectfully. Children demonstrate a clear understanding of how to be kind, considerate and inclusive towards others. During activities, they share resources, take turns and listen carefully to ideas expressed by others. Even the youngest children are learning to manage their feelings and resolve minor disagreements with gentle guidance from staff. Children show high levels of empathy and cooperation. This creates a calm and harmonious learning environment where everyone feels valued, accepted and safe.

Children establish secure attachments with staff. This is particularly evident as younger children become tired. Staff act swiftly to help relax children, such as offering a cuddle to prepare them for sleep. Additionally, older children are encouraged to sit quietly and share a book.

Staff support children to gain a sense of responsibility. For instance, they encourage children to put toys back in their correct places after playing with them so that other children can easily access them. This helps children to be considerate and to be aware of the needs of others.

Children's welfare and wellbeing: Strong standard

Children's welfare and wellbeing is securely embedded. Staff consistently support children to develop a secure understanding of physical health and safety, which helps them to make appropriate choices and confidently manage risks. Home-cooked meals are freshly prepared on site, such as sausages, mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables. Children's allergies and dietary needs are carefully monitored, ensuring safe and inclusive mealtimes. Staff proactively sit facing children during mealtimes, which promotes social interaction. Staff encourage children to cut their vegetables into small pieces to keep themselves safe, while promoting independence and self-care.

Children are supported well to recognise, express and manage their emotions. Staff ask thoughtful questions and use visual cues to help children identify and recognise different facial expressions linked to emotions. Children are encouraged to talk about their feelings and seek support from trusted adults. As a result, children grow in confidence and are able to talk openly and appropriately about their emotions.

Physical development is supported very well. Children climb, balance and run. They demonstrate their enjoyment of outdoor play, including jumping in puddles, which is closely monitored by staff. Individual routines are securely embedded. Feeding and sleeping are thoughtfully tailored to meet each child's needs, such as ensuring that younger children have milk before sleep. Children develop solid independence skills in self-care, learn hygiene practices and develop healthy habits. Children demonstrate they are consistently happy, confident and relaxed.

Leadership and governance: Expected standard

Leaders have a clear vision, which guides all aspects of practice and is understood by staff. Children benefit from consistently applied routines, robust policies and a safe environment. Leaders are open to new ideas to strengthen the curriculum and improve outcomes for children. For example, they intend to review the curriculum for mathematics to ensure that it is well sequenced, enabling children to develop a confident understanding of specific concepts, such as counting in sequence. Leaders identify when areas need strengthening to support children's learning and progression across all areas. Recent improvements also include enabling younger children to access outdoor play earlier in the day, ensuring that they benefit from fresh air and exercise before they become tired.

Leaders understand the importance of supporting staff, particularly in caring for babies, and ensure that they receive training to enhance their knowledge and understanding. Staff have completed baby training, and plans are in place for all staff to receive training in sign language to enhance children's communication and language development. Staff comment that they are well supported in their roles. Additionally, leaders involve them in planning and identifying resources needed to improve learning experiences for children.

Effective leadership, curriculum review and professional development ensure that children are safe, well supported and able to thrive in a stimulating and nurturing environment.