Buttsbury Pre-school

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely driven and very eager to join in activities inside and outside. They share and cooperate exceptionally well.

Children demonstrate very high levels of self-control. They persevere if they encounter difficulties and are confident to work independently or as part of a team to find solutions to problems. For example, they work out how best to crush ice cubes.

There is a targeted approach towards all children's learning, which means they receive exceptional support to reach their full potential. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who recei...ve additional funding, make excellent progress in relation to their starting points. Managers and staff create extraordinarily strong professional partnerships with other agencies.

This supports the excellent systems for sharing pertinent information to provide further tailored support for each child.Children have excellent daily opportunities to play outdoors and to be physically active. They rapidly embed skills such as coordination and balance as they negotiate large equipment.

Children develop an astute awareness of their own abilities as they make the most of these marvellous opportunities. They thoroughly enjoy taking part in sensory activities in the garden. For example, children become enthralled and excited to use their imagination, drawing on previous stories and play, as they search for hidden pirate gold.

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

The curriculum implemented by staff is rooted securely and consistently in the needs of each child. Managers' and staff's interactions with children are of exceptional quality and ensure that children build securely on previous learning. Children are ready for the next steps in their learning and fully prepared for their move on to school when the time comes.

Managers and staff use assessment extremely well to check what children know and to inform future teaching practice. They plan very inspiring activities that respond to each child's specific learning needs and engage their curiosity.The managers and staff continually share information with parents about their children's progress.

They are proactive in helping parents to support and extend their children's learning at home. This includes encouraging a love of language and reading through their pre-school library.An exceptional strength of this setting is the staff's dedication to promoting children's consistent use of new vocabulary.

The opportunities provided support children to become very effective communicators. Children speak with increasing confidence and fluency. They secure the strong foundations required to help them become confident readers.

Children firmly understand age-appropriate mathematical concepts. They learn to recognise numbers, make comparisons and develop their awareness and use of mathematical language.Managers and staff are exceedingly successful at providing children with a rich set of experiences to promote an understanding of people, families and communities beyond their own.

Children become intensely involved in their play, developing high levels of prolonged concentration. They are motivated and enthusiastic learners. Staff and managers role model excellent behaviour and have high expectations that the children emulate.

Children learn how to keep themselves safe. They learn to take measured risks during activities, such as cooking. Children demonstrate their growing understanding of personal safety.

For example, they select and wear safety glasses before smashing ice cubes with hammers, stones and other single-handed tools.The managers ensure that staff receive specific ongoing professional development opportunities that build on their existing teaching skills and practice. Staff say they feel 'valued', and that excellent attention is given to their ongoing well-being.

They explain that their specific interests and skills are targeted so they can make a difference in the lives of the children they care for.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The experienced and knowledgeable managers implement exceptionally robust recruitment and induction procedures.

These help to ensure that all staff are, and remain, suitable to care for children. Staff have an extremely good understanding of safeguarding and wider child protection issues. When required, they work very closely with other agencies and professionals in order to safeguard children andprotect their welfare.

There is a culture of vigilance among the staff team. Staff give careful attention to the safe management and use of electronic recording equipment such as computers, cameras and mobile phones. Children's welfare is closely protected, and staff's attitudes towards child protection remain paramount.

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