Barbican Pre-School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents

This provision is good • Leaders and managers are ambitious, dedicated and highly committed to the ongoing improvement of the pre-school. Methods of self-evaluation are used to reflect upon achievements and define targets, which support continual development.

• Staff plan a range of interesting activities, which stimulate children's curiosity. Staff thoughtfully support children's understanding of number. For example, children play with dough, sand and water, discussing quantities, size and shape.

Staff provide a good range of resources, inside and outdoors, which help children to develop new skills and interests. • Children's well-being is given the highest priority and... the secure, nurturing environment helps to ensure they are making at least good progress from their starting points. For example, staff quickly identify children's likes and dislikes and adapt routines purposefully to accommodate their needs, including tidying up times and managing mealtimes to help children overcome sensory challenges.

• Parents speak highly of the pre-school and value the supportive relationships they have with staff. They are confident that children are making good progress in readiness for school and eagerly contribute to children's online learning journeys. • The manager uses funding well to help narrow gaps in learning and support individual children's progress and learning needs.

The purchase of resources has helped staff to manage some challenging behaviour more effectively, and enable children to understand and regulate their own behaviour. • Although staff undertake professional development opportunities, systems for monitoring their performance to support their ongoing development are still evolving. • The link between the identified next steps in children's learning and staff's teaching is not always delivered consistently, to help children make more rapid progress.