Caythorpe Pre-School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children enjoy their time at this welcoming pre-school. Staff place a strong emphasis on encouraging children's independence skills. To this end, children play an active part in the daily routine.

Children pour their drinks and serve themselves snacks. They put their leftovers in the bin and wash their plates, cups and cutlery. Children listen carefully to staff and eagerly follow instructions.

For example, children help staff to tidy away resources and sweep sand from the floor. This helps children learn to do as much for themselves as possible.Staff create an enticing outdoor environment which children confidently ex...plore.

Children practise using their muscles as they throw beanbags onto numbered squares and try to catch balls that staff roll down the sloped roof. Staff suggest different ways to throw the beanbags so they land on the numbers. This encourages children to persevere.

Children work with staff to build ramps and pathways out of wooden planks. They readily take turns with their friends and run their toy vehicles along the 'newly built roads'. Staff ensure that children are presented with appropriate risks and challenges.

For example, children develop their balance and coordination skills as they carefully consider how to safely move along rope bridges and balance beams. Staff are vigilant and recognise when less-confident children need a helping hand.

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

Leaders are reflective and strive for improvement.

The manager has recently worked with the local authority to undertake an audit of the pre-school. Feedback is used effectively by the manager to bring about further improvement. Staff state they are supported well by the manager.

They are able to access training to improve their knowledge and skills.Group-time activities support children's language and communication development. Children focus as they sit together and listen to a story.

They show genuine interest and point out what they see in the pictures. Staff give children time to ask questions and suggest ideas. They explain the meaning of new words, such as 'constellation' and 'delighted'.

This helps children develop their speech and broaden their vocabulary.Staff provide activities to help children develop their small muscles. These activities help them practise the skills they need for early writing.

Children are supported to fasten zips on their coats and open their food packets. Staff use a play dough activity to introduce language such as 'big', 'small', 'thin' and 'thick'. Children copy, squashing and squeezing the dough as they make shapes.

This helps to support children's growing mathematical language.Children make good progress in their learning and development. Staff use observations and assessments to identify any gaps in children's learning.

However, some staff do not consistently use this knowledge to plan precisely for children's next steps in learning. This means activities are not tailored precisely to what some children need to learn next.Staff are good role models and encourage children to share resources and use their manners.

Children are gently reminded of safety rules. For example, when children run down a slope, staff explain to children that they may fall and hurt themselves. Children recall that they need to walk to stay safe.

Staff provide healthy snacks and fresh drinking water for children. In addition, staff share information with parents regarding healthy lunch boxes and good dental hygiene. Handwashing is an established part of the routine, and children readily wash their hands after using the toilet and wiping their nose and before eating.

Staff have developed a warm and caring relationship with the children. Children readily ask for help and share their play with staff. Parents are positive about the pre-school.

They state their children are making friends, increasing their confidence and developing their language skills.Staff have developed a straightforward and sequenced curriculum. Overall, this means children engage well with the activities on offer.

However, staff do not always consider how to present creative activities in a way that fully supports children's interest and engagement. At these times, children do not express an interest in the experiences that staff provide. This limits their opportunities to be creative and use their imagination.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: develop staff's understanding of how to use their knowledge of what children know and can do, to plan more precisely for their next steps in learning strengthen planning to further develop more stimulating creative activities which fully support children's engagement, interest and imagination.

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