St. Edith's Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children enjoy attending the pre-school because staff provide a welcoming and stimulating environment. Children have secure bonds with their key persons and peers. Staff use their knowledge of children to plan and provide unique learning opportunities for every child. They consider children coming in each day and their interests to decide which resources to put out. Children are confident to access and explore these resources. This helps in meeting the unique needs of every child. It also impacts positively on children's behaviour.

Children are confident communicators. Staff role model effective communication with the children. They use effective methods, carefully tailored to the specific needs of children, to enhance children's communication skills. Children are making good progress in their reading because of the good support they receive from staff at the pre-school.

Leaders and staff have high expectations for all children. Children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, receive suitable and timely support from staff. This ensures that gaps in children's development close swiftly.

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

• Leaders and staff have a strong focus on preparing all children for the world beyond the pre-school. Staff liaise with local primary schools to arrange reading sessions and familiarisation visits for children. This provides opportunities for the pre-school's staff and children to interact with school-aged children and school staff. It develops a high level of confidence in children.
• Leaders have regular discussions with staff. They invest available funding in resources that staff can access easily. They monitor the use of these resources effectively. They support staff to access training targeted at meeting the individual needs of children. This enhances staff's performance and children's experience within the pre-school.
• Staff communicate effectively with children. Staff make use of a variety of methods and resources with children. They make good use of humour and props in play. This enhances children's understanding and ability to respond appropriately.
• Children have opportunities to access engaging routine and activities that encourage their physical development. Staff offer regular rhyme sessions, where children listen to and enjoy various nursery rhymes. Staff encourage children to move in ways that increase their heartbeats. Staff also support children with how to be independent when they are hungry. They teach children to grow fruits, like strawberry and tomatoes, in the pre-school's garden. Children confidently talk to staff about the importance of eating these healthy fruits and vegetables.
• Overall, teaching is strong. Staff support children effectively to have a good understanding of basic mathematical concepts. However, there are times when staff become so engrossed in large-group activities that they do not notice when some children lose interest. This impacts on some children's ability to make the most out of such activities.
• Children are independent. Very young children can identify what happens if they get muddy. They independently get their boots to put them on, or they seek the support of adults.
• Staff have good partnership with parents. They regularly encourage parents to dress children in clothes suitable for messy play. They share information about children's hygiene and personal care. This enhances children's experience and level of engagement within the pre-school.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• review the organisation of large-group activities to engage the interest of all children more effectively.