Youth Club Pre-School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The pre-school is a thriving, long-established setting in the heart of the local community. Staff are extremely well qualified and experienced. All are united in their commitment to provide children with the very best care possible. Their collective confidence in the very well-sequenced curriculum ensures its successful delivery. Children acquire important skills that they need before they move on to school and that provide them with good foundations for their future learning. All children make phenomenal progress. Staff provide challenge for the most able children and extensive targeted support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Consequently, all children thrive in the staff's warm and nurturing care. Children use extensive language and some have a huge vocabulary. The effective support from staff, who use visual aids, conversation and songs and rhymes, helps all children, including those who learn English as an additional language, to speak with confidence and fluency.

Children's behaviour is consistently excellent because there is a reliable and familiar routine. There are clear rules and expectations, and staff provide firm, gentle guidance. Children are respectful and kind to each other, showing care and consideration. This makes for a wonderfully welcoming environment.

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

• Staff do not just follow children's interests, they immerse themselves in what interests children and learn about what they enjoy. Through this, children and staff develop a shared love of topics such as space and the solar system. They engage in deep, meaningful discussions, and this undoubtedly boosts children's communication and language development.
• Children become digitally literate as they learn how to use technology for play and purpose. Staff are acutely aware of the benefits of very well-managed, time-framed sessions using electronic devices. This not only introduces children to the digital world and its uses but also encourages them to have positive attitudes towards screen time.
• Staff recognise that some children demonstrate exceptional ability. For example, some children can confidently read books and text. Staff value this ability and provide different materials for children to read for pleasure. All children enjoy story times as a group and show high levels of concentration as they listen intently.
• A large number of children attend the pre-school. However, because of the excellent organisation, the key-person approach is highly effective in meeting their individual needs. Children gather in their key groups with their key person at different times during the day. This ensures that they have individualised attention and support. Children show close attachment to their key person and have high levels of confidence. Children take turns in being the helper of the day. This important role involves them helping to lead group activities and take charge of the daily displays of the days of the week and weather. Children take a great deal of pride in being chosen and smile broadly as they take the responsibility very seriously.
• Children are encouraged to be active and healthy. Staff find creative ways to encourage children to learn about healthy eating. For example, children grow carrots that they dig up, wash and eat for snack time. Staff show equal excitement and wonder as they support children to reveal the vegetables. Children's enjoyment of this activity is tangible as they jump with excitement when they pull up a tiny carrot they have nurtured from a seed.
• Parents receive extensive information about children's learning through a weekly newsletter. By staff sharing the intentions of the curriculum, parents understand what children are learning and know exactly how to support their progress at home. Parents reflect how the pre-school has been transformative for their children and say they have flourished in their development.
• Parents are further able to be involved in their children's education by joining the parent-run committee. The parents who do this are highly motivated and enthusiastic about their roles. They lead the pre-school with professionalism and are clear on the seriousness of their roles and responsibilities. Their valuable contribution ensures that the pre-school remains successful in providing children with a superb standard of care and education.
• Oversight and monitoring of the pre-school are superb at all levels, with management being particularly effective. The excellent investment in staff well-being contributes to the staff team being long standing and highly motivated in their work.