Waltham Chase Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive confidently and happily. They are warmly welcomed by the friendly and attentive staff, who provide a safe and nurturing environment for children. This helps them to settle quickly and to feel safe. Staff are good role models. They really care about children and show concern for their well-being. They encourage children to share their emotions. For example, children independently find their photograph and place it on the colour monster which matches their emotion. This helps children to feel valued and accepted.

The provider has high ambitions for children's learning and development. They provide an inclusive curriculum for them, specifically children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff provide a strong focus on identifying children who may need extra support and ensuring referrals are made to other professionals in a timely manner. This helps to ensure that children with SEND make good progress in their learning and development.

Children are curious and love to explore. They develop an interest and respect for nature and the environment. Staff teach children how to grow plants from seed, which supports their understanding of growth and new life. Furthermore, they encourage children to take care of wildlife, such as snails. These activities help to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the world and support them to show empathy and kindness.

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

• The provider has a clear vision for the preschool. They are dedicated to ensuring that the pre-school is inclusive for all children. They recognise the importance of children accessing fresh air and exercise. For instance, through fundraising, they were able to purchase canopies which enable children to access the outdoor area in all weathers. This helps to support children's physical development.
• The provider understands the importance of staff well-being and professional development. They provide staff with lots of support through regular meetings and mandatory training. However, the provider does not ensure coaching and training opportunities are effective in enabling staff to build and expand on what children already know. For example, at times during child initiated play, staff do not always fully use opportunities to further extend children's knowledge and understanding. This means that not all children have access to quality interactions that fully support their learning'.
• Staff understand that children do not always have the same opportunities, such as visiting areas in the local environment. They take children on regular outings, such as trips on the bus, bakeries and palace ruins. Furthermore, they invite members of the community and parents to attend the preschool on open days and during mobile farm events. These experiences help to teach children about the local community.
• Staff establish effective partnerships with parents. They find out what children know and can do when starting and update parents regularly with children's next steps in learning. This provides continuity of care for children. Parents comment that children are happy and make good progress. Additionally, parents are encouraged to attend celebrations, such as Easter bonnet parades and Christmas shows. This helps parents to feel included.
• Overall, children behave well. Staff model respectful behaviour and remind children of the rules and procedures. For example, during changes in activities, children are encouraged to tidy up the toys. Additionally, staff remind children to use their good manners, such as please and thank you. This supports children to know what is expected of them.
• Staff provide a strong focus on helping children to lead healthy lifestyles. Children learn about good oral hygiene through visits from 'healthy heroes'. They consume fresh fruit and vegetables that they have grown from seed. This teaches children where healthy food comes from. Staff provide daily opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. For instance, they build core muscle strength while using the rope swings and strengthen their finger muscles as they squeeze and manipulate dough. This helps children to develop the skills that promote future writing.
• Staff provide daily opportunities to help children develop their independence skills. They encourage children to use the toilet, wash their hands and wipe their noses. Additionally, staff encourage them to wash and dry their plates and cups after mealtimes. This helps children develop self-care skills.
• Children are supported to develop good communication and language skills. Staff consistently engage children in conversation and encourage social interaction during play. Additionally, they consistently read stories to children and encourage them to choose a book and interact during story time. This helps children to develop skills in literacy.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• provide staff with the knowledge and skills they need to delivery consistently high quality interactions that focus precisely on what children need to learn next.