Homerton Early Years Centre, Cambridge

What it's like to be a pupil at Homerton Early Years Centre

Children arrive excited and eager to explore the wide range of learning experiences available to them. Familiar routines and warm, positive relationships with staff help children feel safe and settle quickly. Children enjoy learning because staff notice their interests and extend them. As a result, children become confident and curious learners. They enjoy stories, rhymes and songs. These expand their vocabulary and nurture an emerging love of books. Children develop early mathematical knowledge and apply this in their play, such as counting with adults while they play hide and seek together safely. Children show positive attitudes to learning new things. They confidently have a go because they know adults will support and guide them when things are tricky. Children flourish with the positive encouragement staff give as they persevere. They know adults will comfort and help them if they find things hard. Children develop positive self-esteem and progress well from their different starting points. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive help that enables them to learn through play alongside their peers. Vulnerable children and those in receipt of additional funding build self-worth through tailored support that meets their social and emotional needs. Children's contributions to nursery life are positively encouraged. For example, children proudly wear the Homerton Owl badge as they responsibly help the teacher with classroom jobs such as changing the door sign to show it is time for outdoor play. Children learn about their local community through visits to the library and local shops and by tending to the local allotment. These experiences broaden their understanding of the world and respect for nature. Children develop an appreciation of the arts through specialist music and movement sessions and creative activities. The school celebrates diversity within the community, helping children learn about different faiths and festivals. Children develop positive social skills and understand daily routines that help them form lifelong habits for the future.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• Leaders should ensure staff skilfully and consistently use the strategies in place to further enhance the experiences of children with additional needs or other vulnerabilities.
• Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is consistently taught well, with staff proactively seeking out children who engage less readily, to enhance their next steps in learning.
• Leaders should continue to use their detailed knowledge of the school to drive improvements towards consistently strong standards.

This centre creates a warm, welcoming environment where children thrive emotionally and socially. Staff know children exceptionally well and use specialist input like music sessions to broaden horizons for all children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Children develop independence, kindness, and a genuine love of learning through carefully ordered activities that bring stories and topics to life.

Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have created an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and all legal requirements are fulfilled.

Weekly specialist music and movement sessions, library visits, local shop visits, allotment and orchard tending

Bus Stops