Rackerhayes Pre School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children have a wonderful time at this pre-school. They have access to many exciting activities. The outside area has a play area and free-flow painting area for exploring, having fun with friends and enjoying creative play. Inside, there is an extensive climbing frame for learning how to take risks and develop physical skills. The children enjoy these activities very much. There is a special area in the pre-school, called 'Jackie's Classroom', where the children learn about the focus project of the half-term in small groups. Currently, they are exploring outer space through many enticing and engaging activities. For example, a highly successful activity involved making space aliens out of clay and colourful golf tees. At all times interactions with children are of a very high quality. The impact of the teaching is highly effective, and children are deeply engaged and sustain high levels of concentration.

The staff have excellent relationships with parents. They work together to support children's development. For example, children are given 'homework' to do with their parents. The activities are fun and support parents to be part of their child's learning. Staff teach children to have a love of learning, and they have pride in their achievements. Additionally, for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), staff provide parents with duplicates of any supportive resources they create for individual children. Parents can then use these helpful aids at home to support their child.

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

• All children make excellent progress and experience teaching and learning which supports them to retain information, concentrate and reach deeper levels of thinking. Children have time to think and contribute to discussions. There is a strong focus on supporting communication and language. The staff use signs, words and images to encourage talking and communication. As the children walk into the preschool in the morning, the staff welcome the children using words and signs to say hello to everyone. Each child is cherished and knows they are unique. The staff use questions and offer new words as children play. Children learn that their opinions matter.
• The managers and staff have expert knowledge and teaching skills. They use these brilliantly to ensure the children make the best possible progress. The ambitious curriculum is well planned, and staff know what children can do and what they need to learn next. Staff share their knowledge of each child's progress so they can extend every child's learning, at all times.
• The staff have a firm understanding of the curriculum intent and take advantage of spontaneous opportunities to extend learning and interests further. Children are consistently challenged and make progress. For example, outdoors, children were interested in the rain. The staff gave the children clear plastic pots so they could catch the rain, explore the patterns it made and measure its volume. The children really enjoyed this activity and were eager to join in, share and cooperate with each other.
• The provision for SEND children is excellent. The special educational needs and disabilities coordinator is extremely knowledgeable and skilled in best practice. He keeps himself up to date with training and models these superb skills for the rest of the team to follow. All staff receive high quality SEND training and are mentored in best practice. As a result, children with SEND receive an excellent, high-quality level of care and education and make excellent progress. Links with outside agencies, such as speech and language therapy, are very strong and effective in supporting the staff in their best practice.
• Children develop wonderful friendships and have respect for others as they play. Behaviour is superb and children are aware of the impact that their actions have on others. Children take turns and are kind to each other. Several children enjoyed a lovely moment of extremely cooperative play in the large mud kitchen. The children created a 'meal' together. Children concentrate fully and are motivated to join in with activities. They celebrate each other's achievements and staff support children as they play.
• The staff teach children about healthy lifestyle choices. The children are encouraged to try new foods. They learn the importance of dental hygiene and how to brush their teeth. Personal hygiene is extremely high, and all children know how to wash their hands very well, particularly before eating and after visiting the bathroom.
• Staff's well-being is excellent. The manager has created an environment where staff feel extremely valued and love to come to work. High quality and relevant training is provided for all staff and new knowledge is shared with others in regular staff meetings. This has a positive impact on teaching and learning for the children. The emotional well-being of the staff is highly valued. They feel appreciated and respected. The manager makes excellent adjustments for individual staff needs. Staff retention is exceptional.