Rauceby PreSchool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children happily arrive at the pre-school and are greeted by welcoming staff. They eagerly seek out their key person, who they have secure and positive relationships with. Children understand the staff's expectations and follow the embedded routines. They independently hang their coats on their assigned pegs, put their lunch boxes away and wash their hands, before exploring the activities that staff have planned.

Children enjoy taking part in the different activities as these reflect their interests. They work together in the construction area, where they stack large building bricks to build a tower. Children celebrate and giggle together when the tower is built and then eagerly start the task again when it falls. Children show high levels of resilience as they try to connect poles while building. For example, they hold the ends of the poles together as they work with their friends to join them. When they achieve their goal, they proudly say, 'That is how you do it.'

Children enjoy the time they spend outside. They confidently use small tools and show good hand-to-eye coordination as they dig and make sandcastles in the sand tray. Children develop their coordination skills further as they manoeuvre ride-on cars and bicycles. Children balance and learn new skills as they confidently climb the outdoor climbing frame.

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

• Staff read books with expression and use puppets to help to fully involve children with the story. Children repeat known phrases and actions from key parts of the story. Staff listen to children when they suggest what could happen next. For example, children say that the wolf might fall down the chimney and burn its bottom. This helps children to develop a love of books and stories, which contributes to the skills they need for the future.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. The special educational needs coordinator liaises with parents about children's care and learning needs. Staff refer children to other agencies for specialist support. Children benefit from targeted support plans to help close gaps in their learning. This results in children making progress in their development.
• The staff know the children well and identify what they want them to learn. They observe and assess children's development regularly and use this information to plan age-appropriate activities to focus on their next steps in learning. However, staff do not always help children to revisit prior learning to help them to practise and secure their skills.
• Staff provide children with regular opportunities to visit places in the community. For example, children enjoy walks around a local country house, and they enjoy trips to open spaces and fields. Children develop their imaginations as they collect sticks to create a pretend fire and gather around to listen to stories and sing songs.
• Children generally behave well. The staff are good role models and praise children for following the pre-school rules, for example sharing with their friends and using their 'walking feet' and 'kind hands'. However, during some key parts of the day, staff's expectations are inconsistent. This results in some children struggling to focus. For example, during circle time, some children become distracted and play with nearby toys rather than listening and learning.
• The manager provides opportunities for children to develop their understanding of oral hygiene. For example, dental nurses visit the children to talk to them about how they can care for their teeth. Staff offer children healthy food and drinks to promote their good health.
• The manager regularly carries out staff supervision meetings and supports staff to complete training to help develop their teaching practices. Staff cascade this training to the team to share their knowledge and help provide consistent care and learning for children.
• Parents are 'thrilled' with the care and learning provided for their children and speak highly of the pre-school. They talk positively about the progress their children make, specifically with their language development.
• Staff communicate well with parents daily and share information about children's learning and care. The pre-school's lending library enables families to select books and activities to take home, to further support children's learning and development.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff's skills further to help children revisit and consolidate prior learning
• strengthen staff's skills in supporting children during group activities to help them remain focused and get the most from the learning experience.