The Children's Centre Goldman Sachs

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and secure at the children's centre. They confidently explore the stimulating environment. Children independently choose the activities in which they are interested. Staff have high expectations for all children. They make sure that their teaching takes account of what children enjoy doing and their level of development. Staff build on children's self-esteem, such as they give children responsibility. For example, children pour their own water and serve themselves at lunchtime.

Children play in a safe, clean and well-organised environment. All children behave well. They are kind and considerate towards each other and the staff who look after them. Children enjoy being physically active on their daily outings to the local park. They run around the space, changing direction and stretching their bodies. This helps to develop children's coordination and physical skills. Staff use these regular excursions to increase children's understanding of road safety and how to keep themselves safe outside.

All children make good progress in their learning. They develop a love of language. Children enjoy listening to familiar stories and joining in with rhymes and songs. Outside, they excitedly search for natural objects, describing them and finding out where they come from. This helps to support their understanding of the natural world.

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

• The manager has a clear vision for the centre and works tirelessly to enhance it. She values feedback from parents, staff and children, and uses this to inform development planning. Managers from Bright Horizons and early years officers from the local authority regularly visit the centre to help evaluate the curriculum and teaching practice.
• The manager and her leadership team effectively support staff's well-being and teaching skills. The manager has an 'open-door' policy. She actively encourages staff to talk to her about any concerns, and provides support and advice when needed. The manager uses regular supervision sessions to help staff to reflect on their practice and to identify any training needs.
• Staff have a good understanding of how children learn and develop. They make sure that they gather as much information as they can about each child, including those children who do not attend on a regular basis. Staff use this information to plan activities that meet children's individual needs and to stimulate their interest in learning.
• The quality of the curriculum is good. Staff understand the importance of supporting children's communication and language. They talk to children about what they are doing and what they could do next. However, on occasions, some staff do not consistently use simple enough language to support children's understanding and do not model the correct spoken vocabulary.
• Staff support children who speak English as an additional language effectively. They encourage children to use words in their home language, and provide dual-language books for them to take home and read with their parents. Children learn about the wider world and other cultures. For example, staff teach them about different festivals and traditions.
• Children thoroughly understand what is expected of them during daily routines and activities. Staff provide consistent guidance to children and regularly praise them when they help out. Children learn why it is important to look after resources and their environment. For example, in the park, children enthusiastically pack away the resources and help fold up the parachute.
• Staff place a focus on children learning about being healthy and leading an active lifestyle. Children enjoy freshly cooked meals and snacks. They choose their favourite fruit from a wide selection and self-select vegetables to eat at lunch. Staff support parents to encourage their children to take part in physical activities at home.
• Parents are full of praise for the centre and the staff. They value the advice which staff give them and highlight how supported they felt during the COVID- 19 pandemic. Parents feel very well informed about their children's learning and daily experiences at the centre. They appreciate the activities that staff provide for them to do at home with their children and understand how this benefits their learning at the centre.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to recognise when to simplify their language and model the correct vocabulary, to help younger children's understanding.