Apple Barn Pre School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents

This provision is outstanding • Children are filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation as they arrive every day ready for a new adventure. Practitioners work exceptionally well together to provide children with a highly stimulating environment that sparks children's imaginations. Children are fascinated by the nature around them and are free to explore it in a very dynamic way.

For example, children are very aware of the pig and duck in the next field and learn about how they live. • Partnerships with parents are extraordinarily strong. Parents value the truly amazing experience that their children receive and are absolutely delighted with how happy their children are, t...he progress they are making and how caring, kind and supportive the practitioners are.

They are thrilled that their children attend the setting. • Children thrive. Their learning develops through a wide range of rich experiences.

For instance, when children learn about how things grow, their understanding is enhanced through opportunities including having a baby visit the pre-school and visiting a local residential care home. Children are captivated by baby chicks that have hatched and checking on goose and peacock eggs that are incubating. They explore the life cycle of a butterfly through stories, a diverse and imaginative array of craft activities and many insect hunts through the fields and woods nearby.

• Children have profoundly strong relationships with the practitioners, resulting in a strong sense of well-being and emotional security. Practitioners are exceptionally sensitive to each child's individual needs and adapt every aspect of the day to meet children's requirements. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are particularly well supported.

• Teaching is highly effective. Practitioners know exactly what outcomes they are looking to achieve as they very sensitively guide children in their learning. This helps to ensure that children are happy and curious and always willing to try new things.