Sunshine Pre-School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this remarkable pre-school. They have exceptionally secure attachments with staff, who ensure they feel safe and secure. Children show impeccable behaviour. They listen astutely to staff as they join in with a stretch- and-yoga story, building their listening and concentration skills. Children show a deep level of respect for their peers, staff and surroundings. Children eagerly help to tidy away resources. They play harmoniously alongside their peers as they share stories they have created with small toys.

Children have a sense of awe and wonder as they explore the inviting and stimulating environment. Children are brimming with imagination. They dress up as pirates and pretend to go on an adventure. They use maps and telescopes to find their way. Staff wonderfully support children's imagination as they help row the boat to find a chest full of treasure. Children delight as they discover jewels.

Children develop high levels of independence in readiness for school. They carry out self-care tasks for themselves, such as handwashing and toileting. Children choose their own snacks and confidently pour their own drinks. They carefully wash china plates and cups up when they have finished.

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

• Leaders of the pre-school are inspirational. Their drive and commitment to ensure that children receive the best possible start in life is shared across the staff team. Staff are incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated to their roles. They have designed the curriculum to ignite children's natural curiosity. An extensive range of natural, easily-accessible, loose resources supports children to shape their own play. As a result, children are confident and inquisitive learners.
• Children make exceptional progress in their physical development and awareness of safety and risk. They confidently assess risk as they climb trees in the outdoor play area. Children build strength in their muscles as they take turns to balance on a tree swing as their friends push them. Staff closely supervise children in woodwork activities. They use real tools, such as hammers. Children become deeply absorbed, then beam with pride when they successfully hit the nail into the wood.
• Children receive high levels of individual attention. Staff effectively notice when children need extra help or support. Children benefit from 'nurture groups', where they learn about their emotions. They use 'emotion stones' to talk about how they are feeling. This helps to build children's confidence.
• Staff are acutely aware of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children's communication and language. They have made huge efforts to ensure they provide a language-rich environment. Keywords are displayed on the wall, and staff skilfully weave them into their interactions with children. Staff frequently use visual cue cards and signing to support children with their understanding. This helps children to build on their vocabulary and supports them to make excellent progress in their communication skills.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are extremely well supported. The dedicated special educational needs coordinator works tirelessly to ensure that the needs of these children are met. Staff work very closely with a wide range of professionals which helps children get the very best support they need. There is a positive focus on what children can do and how they can be nurtured to make excellent progress from their starting points.
• Families are incredibly well supported by the pre-school. They are provided with behaviour strategies and resources such as visual cues to use at home. This supports consistency between home and pre-school. They fully appreciate the outstanding care that staff provide to children to help them flourish.
• Staff are extremely well supported. They receive regular supervision, and their training is sharply focused to ensure that teaching is consistently built on. Staff well-being is an absolute priority. Leaders ensure that staff are supported within their roles and take time to consider workload. Team building days help build the team's morale. Staff have a strong voice within the setting and feel extremely valued. They comment they are proud to be part of an inspiring pre-school.