Springboard Opportunity Group- South Weston

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff at this specialist setting provide outstanding care, learning and development for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Exceptional teaching and partnerships with other professionals lead to exemplary support for all children. All children make excellent progress.

Staff know the children and their families exceedingly well. All children receive home visits and attend stay-and-play sessions before they join. Staff expertly use their knowledge of children's individual needs and interests to provide enjoyable learning opportunities. Children become absorbed as they use plain flour to create footprints, make marks and engage in artwork. Children show very positive attitudes to learning. The curriculum is inclusive and tailored to meet the needs of individual children. It enables children the freedom to choose from a range of inspirational resources that motivate them to learn and spark their curiosity. Staff are always nearby to further children's learning experiences by commenting on what they are doing and sharing in their joy.

Children form secure attachments with the warm and caring staff. They show a real sense of belonging. Children are very happy, settled and confident. Staff support children in understanding and following the expected behaviour. Children learn to share and take turns. Their behaviour is excellent.

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

• Partnerships with parents are exceptional. Staff offer support and guidance to children's families. For instance, staff give advice about services that they can access. They share information with parents to help them to support children's learning at home. Staff invite parents in for regular coffee mornings and training sessions where parents can meet with staff and other parents. Parents describe the setting and staff as 'amazing'. They say that they feel very lucky to have the staff's support.
• The team of qualified and dedicated staff implement developmental targets set by themselves or other professionals effectively. Staff diligently monitor children's learning to ensure that any gaps in their learning are quickly addressed. Staff skilfully engage children in well-planned group activities to encourage listening, concentration and turn taking.
• Staff place an emphasis on developing children's language and literacy skills. There are cosy book areas for all age groups. Staff read to children regularly and visit the local library. Skilled staff bring stories to life. All children listen with great concentration and enjoyment. Children relish the opportunity to become fully involved in the storytelling. For example, they copy actions with enthusiasm, repeat words and use props to begin to develop their imagination.
• Staff support children's communication and language skills superbly. They consistently use sign language and visual aids to support children's understanding. Staff skilfully introduce new words at every opportunity. They introduce words in a variety of situations to reinforce children's learning. Children's language development is exceptional.
• Children have superb opportunities to develop healthy lifestyles. Children greatly enjoy using the safe and well-resourced garden throughout the day. Staff plan visits to the park and allotment to provide children with exciting areas to explore and build their physical skills. Children grow vegetables and harvest them for snacks. Staff provide the children with nutritious snacks in line with each child's individual dietary needs.
• Staff are excellent role models for the children. They treat each other, parents and children with respect and courtesy. Staff praise children's efforts in a targeted manner. For example, they say, 'you are doing good listening' and 'good waiting'. This supports children in understanding the desired behaviour and boosts their self-esteem.
• Staff are passionate about their work. Their dedication to the children in their care is commendable. Leadership and management are exceptionally strong. Staff evaluate their practices and make targeted changes to achieve excellent outcomes for children. The manager leads regular supervision and monitoring of staff practice. Staff attend training regularly, such as behaviour management training and how to support children with autism. This has a beneficial impact on children's learning and development. The manager applies for additional funding when required to help children to get the support and help that they need.