The Village Pre-School E17

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this well-established pre-school, arriving eager to engage and play. They feel safe and secure, supported by warm, trusting relationships with staff who act as positive role models. The ambitious curriculum promotes children's all-round development, supporting all children to make good progress from their starting points. Children behave well, show respect towards one another, and understand clear behavioural expectations. They follow instructions confidently, which helps to contribute to their overall well-being.

Children benefit from rich-learning experiences in the well-designed forest school, allocated on the grounds of the pre-school. They are curious and engaged as they explore the natural environment, listening attentively to the sounds of magpies and other birds. Children take safe risks, such as climbing small logs, helping support their physical development and helps them learn how to keep themselves safe. Staff skilfully help support children to build confidence, creativity, and independence. As children collect leaves, they discuss their shapes and patterns, count them, and group them together. All of which helps to promote their early mathematical understanding and language development. Staff support children in learning about growing seasonal flowers, helping them to understand the different stages of plant growth through meaningful experiences.

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

• Staff have established effective working relationships with parents. Key information is shared regularly, supporting staff to meet children's individual needs well. Parents value the use of the parent app, which helps them to observe their child's achievements and stay informed about their progress. Staff also provide suggestions to support learning at home, to help further strengthening the link between home and setting.
• Staff work effectively with parents and external agencies to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They use different strategies, such as using pictorial cards, to help all children make choices and communicate their needs. This engaging approach helps ensures that every child is supported to take part in their learning and develop their independence.
• Overall, staff communicate well with children and support their learning throughout the day. They engage children in conversations and ask questions. However, at times, some staff miss opportunities to extend children's thinking through sustained back-and-forth interactions. As a result, not all children consistently experience rich, meaningful discussions during play that deepen their understanding and language development.
• Leaders prioritise staff well-being and actively implement strategies to support them when needed. Staff feel comfortable communicating when they are overwhelmed, and leaders respond with empathy and practical support. For example, leaders offer their time in the rooms, enabling staff to take a break and recharge. This approach helps to ensure a positive team culture and helps contribute to staff retention and morale.
• Staff are provided with frequent opportunities for ongoing training and attend regular supervision meetings with leaders. This helps to support staff in developing their skills to better meet children's needs and to discuss any concerns or challenges.
• Staff support children's independence and self-care skills effectively throughout daily routines. For example, children are encouraged to manage their personal care needs, such as washing their hands and putting on coats before outdoor play. Staff encourage children to make choices about where and how they play. Children confidently select between indoor and outdoor play, enjoying physical activities, such as bike riding and climbing, which helps promote gross motor development.
• Staff effectively engage children in small group games, such as identifying and naming objects hidden in a small box. These activities helps support children to speak up, express their ideas and thoughts, and develop their language skills. Additionally, staff encourage children to sing familiar nursery rhymes, further promoting language development and confidence in singing out loud.
• Children bring in their packed lunches and enjoy sitting together during mealtimes. Staff ensure children are well supervised to promote safety while eating. They engage in some conversations with the children, helping to build strong, trusting relationships and supporting children to feel secure and valued.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen staff practice to help enable all staff to engage in more meaningful back-and-forth conversations with children to further support their language and cognitive development.