Rascals Pre-School Playgroup

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children smile with confidence as they arrive at the pre-school. They separate from their parents happily, and are welcomed inside by attentive staff who know them well. Children feel safe and secure. They gleefully tell their friends and staff about the exciting beach trips they have been on at the weekend. Children are knowledgeable about the changing seasons. They begin to make connections between the 'sunny, warm weather' and the approaching summer months. Children engage well in conversations. They demonstrate highly positive attitudes to learning and they carefully select activities from the range of resources set up for them.

Children behave well and have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. They are supported in building meaningful relationships and demonstrate high levels of respect for one another. Children are learning how to wait their turn and play fairly. For example, when children want the same colour superhero cape, staff support children in selecting a timer and remind them of the importance of sharing. They are given plenty of praise as they wait patiently. Children are developing important social skills.

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

• The manager implements a curriculum that is securely understood by staff. They work together to ensure that children are supported well and have full access to their early education entitlement. The manager works closely with other professionals. For example, liaising with speech and language therapists and other settings that children attend. Children are supported in achieving best possible outcomes.
• Staff understand the importance of building children's vocabularies. Where children have English as an additional language, staff learn phrases from their home languages to support them as they settle in and learn about their new learning environment. Children build good communication and language skills.
• Children have access to a wide range of activities that support them to develop their physical skills. For example, staff provide children with different jugs and containers. Children enjoy experimenting with them and they fill them with water and practise their accurate pouring skills.
• Occasionally, staff do not effectively interact with children during their play to build on their awareness of mathematics. For example, when children try to recognise different numbers or show an interest in counting, their learning is not always extended. This does not fully support children's developing understanding of mathematical concepts.
• Children are highly independent and tend to most of their personal hygiene needs by themselves. Staff offer support to younger children to enhance their understanding of personal care routines. For example, when children are toilet training, staff offer them lots of encouragement and praise. Children are confident as they learn about how to look after themselves.
• As part of the curriculum, staff teach children about the importance of healthy living and looking after their teeth. However, staff do not ensure that all children have the same opportunity to develop their awareness of the importance of good oral health, as this is only offered on two after lunch sessions.
• Parents explain that they are very pleased with the informative communication they receive from the staff at the pre-school. They tell the inspector of how they are invited into the setting for parent consultations to talk about their child's learning and progress. Parents know they can view their child's journal, which is regularly updated with next steps and progress achievements. Parent partnerships are strong.
• Children listen intently as staff read stories with expression and exciting different voices. They frequently get out different stories and take them to staff to read. Some children are happy to look at the pictures and text independently. They treat the books with respect as they carefully make sure they are returned to the bookshelf. Children are developing a love of reading.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to make greater use of children's interests to encourage their understanding of mathematical concepts
• review the implementation of healthy practices and ensure that all children have opportunities to increase their understanding of positive practices, such as oral health.