Springboard Opportunity Group- Clevedon

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are safe and secure in this exceptional pre-school. They thrive in an environment that is tailored to meet their specific learning needs. Highly motivated staff members are extremely caring and nurturing. They are led by an inspirational management team.

Children enter the pre-school with their parents and settle quickly on arrival. They are provided with activities that motivate them and children are encouraged to settle in their own time. Key persons provide an opportunity for parents to talk to them about their child, which supports the transition from home to the pre-school very well.

Staff have high expectations for every child. They adapt their learning environment to promote children's communication skills at every opportunity. Children are encouraged to ask for what they want using a range of communication methods, such as the Picture Exchange Communication System, Makaton, words and gestures. Staff are highly responsive to children when interacting with them, which helps children to feel valued.

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

• Members of the management team are highly motivated. They have a strong vision for the provision they provide and always want to be the best they can be. They are reflective and always looking for ways they can improve their already excellent practice. Leaders have recently implemented a new communication system for children, as recommended by speech and language therapists, and are continuously evaluating the impact of this with the staff team.
• Children receive high-quality care from dedicated staff. The staff team works closely with other settings children attend and outside agencies, which ensures children receive continuity of care in all environments. The pre-school also works closely with other early years providers and provides training to other settings in the local area.
• Staff plan a stimulating and individualised curriculum to ensure all children have the same learning opportunities. They plan focused activities which entice children to take part. Children enjoy welcoming others when they join in singing the routine hello song.
• Staff skilfully weave all areas of learning into children's play. They play alongside children, modelling play and igniting their curiosity by commenting on their actions and asking interesting questions. Staff use children's interests to build on what they can already do in a highly expert manner.
• There are exceptional partnerships with parents. Parents describe the pre-school as 'amazing' and say that there would not be anywhere more suitable for their children. They receive support with every aspect of their children's care. The staff help parents to complete paperwork for additional funding and provide support for the whole family unit. Staff give parents confidence to try new things at home with their children by sharing what they have done at pre-school on the online system. They invite parents in for regular coffee mornings and training sessions which are all tailored to meet the specific needs of their children.
• Behaviour management is excellent and personalised to each individual child. Staff respond to any behaviour issues effectively and adapt their practice to suit children's needs. Staff are sensitive to how children may be feeling, and give children time to regulate their own emotions before they intervene.
• Children are extremely well cared for and are given opportunities to be independent as part of their daily routines. They are encouraged to wash their own hands, open their own lunch boxes and make choices in their learning.
• Staff say they love working at the setting and that it is like being part of a big family. They are well supported by leaders and colleagues and feel valued. Staff have regular supervision meetings where they are asked about their well-being and can request training to support and develop their practice.