Sturry Pre-School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children have extremely caring and nurturing relationships with their key person.

This very strong bond gives them the confidence to ask for any assistance they may need and supports their good progress. The setting is very welcoming and children settle with ease, quickly taking part in their chosen activity. Staff have good relationships with the parents and families.

They gather a huge amount of information about the children during home visits prior to the children starting. This ensures they are able to plan in advance, based on children's interests. It also enables them to quickly identify if children need any add...itional support at the setting.

Children are free to explore the resources and equipment both inside and outside. They happily engage in different activities of their choice. Children also take part in small-group activities throughout the day.

Staff have very high expectations for children's behaviour and the rules and routines of the setting are clearly understood and extremely well embedded. Children demonstrate their knowledge of these throughout the morning. They share and take turns exceptionally well and display high levels of independence.

There are a wealth of opportunities throughout the day for the children to develop their skills. They confidently put their coats and shoes on, pour their drinks at snack and self-select activities that interest them.

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

The staff recognise and value the children as individuals and get to know them and their families well.

They take children's needs into account and adapt all activities and routines to ensure that all children are included.The setting works well with outside agencies to ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported and make good progress. They also have close links with the local primary school to ensure that the transition for children is smooth.

They regularly visit the school and familiarise the children with their teachers prior to them starting.Children have very secure attachments with their key person and this helps promote their independence. They wait patiently for their turn at the computer or for there to be a space at the snack table.

The staff are excellent role models and children have exceptional behaviour and manners.Children learn about internet safety and the staff give high priority to keeping children safe online. They also share information with parents through newsletters and emails about the importance of this.

Children learn about different cultures and festivals. They were excited to learn about Burns Night and try haggis on the day of inspection. This ensures they build up an understanding of other families and the communities outside of their own.

The management team is strong and has high aspirations for the provision. They complete regular training and share this with other staff members during their team meetings. Staff also observe each other to help develop their practice.

The manager, however, does not target staff coaching precisely to ensure teaching is consistently of the highest level.The manager has a good relationship with the staff team and they feel very supported. There are lots of opportunities for them to discuss their well-being and any concerns they have.

Staff speak highly of the manager.Staff's interactions with children are positive and effective, overall. However, staff do not always extend learning by challenging older children's thinking and ideas.

Children demonstrate a positive attitude to their learning and are keen to join in with new activities. Staff have introduced small-group sessions involving puppets this term, which is popular with the children.The setting has a good partnership with parents.

They offer home learning bags for parents to borrow and engage with their children outside of the setting. This helps to embed the child's learning.The committee supports the management team of the setting.

They take part in fundraising activities to provide further resources and experiences for the children.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and the staff team understand how to identify the signs and symptoms that could identify a child is at risk.

The manager ensures that all staff have up-to-date knowledge through regular training. This helps them to ensure that children remain safe and secure. The manager follows rigorous recruitment procedures to ensure that all staff are suitable for their role.

Staff receive regular supervision and appraisals to ensure their ongoing suitability. Continual risk assessments of the play areas, inside and outside, help ensure children's safety.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: target staff coaching more precisely so that every opportunity is made to extend learning experiences and challenge older children.

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