Stowey Bears Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children benefit from a well-resourced and welcoming environment. They are keen to engage in enticing experiences, such as making dough. They confidently make decisions about their play and add resources to their chosen designs. Children listen attentively to instructions, such as to fill the cup halfway full of water, which they do so independently. Children communicate their ideas well, describing the mixture as looking like porridge. Children persevere in self-chosen tasks. When writing letters to Santa, children test different ways to fold the paper until it can fit in the post box.

Children gain good independence. They understand they need to put their slippers on after playing outside. Children willingly help to tidy away before lunch and understand that toys left on the floor can pose a risk. After sweeping the leaves from the path outside, children know to put the brooms away, so that others do not trip over them.

Staff have recognised the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children and work closely with parents to support children back to the setting. Children receive excellent support from nurturing staff to help them settle back into daily routines. Children recognise they are anxious, for example when there is an unfamiliar adult at the setting. Staff are quick to reassure children, introducing them to the inspector, so that they can build relationships and feel confident to continue their learning.

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

• Staff have good knowledge of the children and plan an exciting curriculum, which is adapted effectively to meet children's individual needs. Staff know what sparks children's interests and weave these into their planning to support children's next steps in learning successfully.
• Staff use additional funding to help children achieve well. For example, the sensory room has been developed to provide a calm space for children to reflect in. Staff have considered how best to support children's listening skills, such as providing listening games and taking children on listening walks within the local community.
• Staff work efficiently with parents and other professionals to support children's speech and language development. For example, the use of mirrors is helping children make the correct shape with their mouths to form sounds. Staff respond well to children's verbalisations and provide clear commentary to children's actions to expand their vocabulary.
• Older children use mathematical language precisely, explaining that they have put one spoonful of flour into their bowl and need two more to make three.
• Children are introduced to new vocabulary to describe the different textures. On occasion, staff are too quick to offer solutions, such as how to divide the dough, and do not help children to think critically.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported in a fully inclusive environment. A calm space has been developed to help children reflect and take time out from a busy environment. Staff provide a range of resources and use effective strategies to help children focus and engage in daily pre-school life.
• Children's emotional well-being is considered effectively. Staff celebrate children's acts of kindness from the 'kindness tree' during group times, raising children's self-esteem. Children are praised for their contributions, for example nominating another child for a 'kindness leaf' when they helped them in a cooking activity.
• Overall, children behave well and are kind to each other. However, staff do not always ensure they consistently apply behaviour strategies for all children to help them understand expectations.
• Children benefit from good care practices. They know the importance of coughing into their elbow and washing hands regularly to protect each other from germs.
• Partnerships with parents are good. Parents appreciate the daily communication they receive through the online tool, which they use to spark conversations with their children when they pick them up.
• Knowledgeable leaders and managers support staff well to develop their professional skills and raise the quality of teaching. Staff communicate daily with each other and attend regular staff meetings to share and improve practice.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• give children time to think and solve problems for themselves
• consistently apply behavioural strategies that help children understand expectations.