Puffins at Beer Pre-School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive very happily to be greeted by warm and welcoming staff. They come into the pre-school independently and take care of their possessions, hanging their coats on designated pegs and putting other items in their own trays. Children show a strong sense of belonging and positively thrive in this exceptional pre-school.

The pre-school manager and her staff team have very clear intentions for children's learning. They skilfully plan enticing activities that children are highly motivated to take part in. Staff expertly play alongside children in activities of their choice, using very effective teaching strategies, to extend children's learning. For example, children use their imagination to hunt for treasure while staff encourage them to make maps and follow directions to find the treasure. Staff routinely encourage children to count and use mathematical language as they play. Children show a secure understanding of number. They are learning to identify the properties of shapes, which they correctly name. They learn about money as they role play in the post office, suggesting that a parcel will cost 'five pounds' to send in the post.

Children demonstrate extremely high levels of self-control as they share toys and take turns using a sand timer. Staff are wonderful role models for the children, who are learning vital social skills that many of them missed opportunities for during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff identify children who need additional support and tailor effective learning experiences for them. All children make excellent progress and are very well prepared for school and future learning.