Tots And Scholars Preschool And Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are at the heart of this unique and warm setting. Leaders and staff create a captivating environment that sparks children's curiosity. Children arrive with a big smile on their face and quickly become deeply engrossed in their enriching learning provision with support from very nurturing staff. They freely explore and show interest in all areas of their accessible environment. For example, children have an amazing time making marks on the board to further develop their fine motor skills. Supportive staff encourage them to learn the colours. As a result, children confidently recognise 'red', 'blue' and 'black'. Staff encourage children to work out how to put the lid back on the pen to build on their problem-solving skills. Children concentrate incredibly well and display a positive attitude to learning. This also helps build on their hand-to-eye coordination and supports their creativity and imagination.

Staff are very warm and nurturing. They have very high expectations of children and they rise to the challenge exceptionally well. Children behave very well and follow staff's routines with great confidence. Staff encourage children to become independent in their self-help skills. For example, younger children feed themselves using cutlery, while older children successfully pour their own drinks. Children develop skills needed to become resilient learners. They show high levels of respect and consideration towards their peers and staff. Knowledgeable staff share pride in children's achievements and praise them for their efforts. This helps children feel valued and happy during their time at the setting.

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

• Leaders have created a rich and meaningful curriculum that is extremely well sequenced. All staff have a clear vision of what they want children to learn. Staff are exemplary role models and have caring and warm relationships with children. They offer a diverse and inclusive practice. Staff and leaders take into account children's abilities, needs and interests when planning a fantastic range of inspirational activities. For example, children have a great time exploring the farm animals. They make the animal noises and successfully name most animals. This helps further enhance children's cognitive development and understanding of the world.
• Tailored settling-in sessions and transition visits mean staff get to know children remarkably well. Staff plan visits effectively to ensure all children make a rapid progress right from the start, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children speaking English as an additional language.
• Children develop a passion for literature from a young age. Staff implement creative ways to broaden children's vocabulary. They introduce a 'book of the week' and identify key ambitious words for children to learn. This is also shared with parents for consistency in children's learning. For example, children quickly become immersed and mesmerised by the narrative of their favourite story about a gruffalo. Staff engage children in meaningful conversations and encourage them to observe the features of the characters. This helps develop children's early reading skills and listening and attention skills.
• Staff create excellent opportunities for children to enhance their sensory experiences and build on their fine motor skills. Children enjoy moulding playdough with their hands and using various cutting tools to create unique structures. Staff add different herbs and flowers for children to explore and broaden their understanding of the world. Furthermore, supportive staff encourage children to sing their favourite nursery rhymes and repeat the words of the week, such as 'petal' and 'sunflower', to consolidate the previously acquired knowledge. This helps build on children's dexterity, imagination and creativity.
• Children have a fantastic time engaging in a music activity with nurturing staff. Children choose what they would like to sing by picking a surprise prop from a bag. They laugh and giggle with excitement as they pretend to be monkeys. In addition, staff encourage children to observe and count in sequence, such as 'one mouse', 'two mice', to further develop their mathematical skills.
• Leadership across the setting is inspirational. Leaders' and managers' continuous drive and commitment to ensure all children receive the best start to their early education is shared with staff. Leaders and managers create a supportive culture for all staff. Staff feel valued and appreciated and receive focused supervision and robust training opportunities to ensure that the quality of teaching provided to children is at the highest level.
• Partnerships with parents are exceptional. They feel involved in their children's learning and appreciate the progress their children make. Parents praise the knowledgeable and supportive staff and value all the fun and exciting learning opportunities.