Buttons@StokeHammond

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children clearly feel safe, happy and secure at this vibrant pre-school. They explore, play, solve problems and think for themselves every day.

Learning is active, exciting and fun. Not a moment of learning time is wasted. The playrooms and outside areas are full of interesting and challenging activities.

Staff are excellent role models. They speak slowly and clearly, giving children time to respond to questions and instructions. Adults are highly skilled.

They encourage children to think for themselves. For example, children fill a truck with bricks, squealing with delight when the tower falls. They th...oughtfully consider how many bricks it will take to fill up the Wendy house.

The rich, imaginative and well-planned range of enjoyable activities and experiences sustain children's interests and keeps them engaged. Staff have an excellent understanding of how children learn. They inspire and challenge children to do their very best at any activity they undertake.

Adults meticulously plan learning opportunities, which build on the children's previous experiences so that they know and can remember more. For example, children learn about the world as they eagerly cut up lemons and add ingredients to make play dough. They discuss the smell of mint, comparing it to toothpaste.

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

The excitement of learning is evident in every part of the pre-school. The setting is highly inclusive and ensures that all children make rapid progress no matter how small the steps. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities enjoy the full range of exciting experiences that the pre-school has to offer.

For example, they learn to play alongside and tolerate other children as they burst bubbles floating around them.Parents are incredibly positive about the school. They describe it as an 'amazing place'.

Staff work closely with parents, and children benefit from a very strong continuity of care. Staff listen with interest to children's ideas and help them to persevere and succeed. Children build respectful relationships with each other and are always polite and helpful.

Staff follow highly proactive systems to prepare children for when they move on to the next stage of their learning, including school.Observation, planning and assessment processes are exceptionally rigorous. Staff know the children remarkably well and are skilled in knowing how to challenge and extend children's learning even further.

Staff maximise spontaneous learning opportunities. For example, when a child finds a bulb of fennel, staff help him to research the vegetable and suggest cooking it for him to taste.Staff make excellent use of opportunities to engage children in conversation.

They make thought-provoking comments and listen to what children have to say. Children develop impressive communication and language skills. For example, children create stories as they play outside on the pirate ship, excitedly describing the dinosaurs on the beach and the enormous sea creature who eats pumpkins.

Children display exceptionally high levels of independence as they access activities. They follow their own interests and are engrossed in their play. Children concentrate for long periods as they play.

Many stimulating activities help children to develop the small muscles in their hands. For example, they learn to safely cut up vegetables, pour their own drinks and butter toast at snack time.Involvement with the community is excellent.

Children walk to the nearby farm to look at the alpacas, sheep and horses. They make lists and walk to the local shop to buy resources. Children write to 'pen pals' in the community, posting them during their weekly walk.

They develop an understanding of recycling, using a compost bin to dispose of waste. These opportunities result in an appreciation for the environment and community.The manager and owner are dedicated and passionate leaders.

They involve staff, parents and children in their ongoing reflection when planning future improvements to the pre-school. As a result of training and support, the staff team are extremely confident in their skills. This means that children make excellent progress in their learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff are very clear that the safety of children is paramount. Staff receive thorough training and support to ensure they understand child protection procedures.

The open communication between staff and all levels of management promotes information sharing, as staff feel listened to and respected. Children have a very clear understanding of how to keep themselves safe, such as when they chop vegetables. Recruitment procedures are robust, and staff receive high-quality professional development opportunities and regular supervision meetings, helping to ensure they remain highly effective in their roles.