Chalk Hill Pre School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children of all ages demonstrate they feel happy at this friendly pre-school. They are excited to arrive and join in the many stimulating activities which are available.

Children have close bonds with the nurturing staff. They seek affection when tired and cuddle up to them for stories in the quiet reading area.Children's behaviour is exemplary.

They are incredibly sociable and engage well with other children, staff and visitors. Children cooperate extremely well in activities and understand the need to take turns. For instance, they use egg timers to independently resolve conflicts over resources.

Children de...monstrate consistently high levels of respect and kindness towards one another. They show genuine concern when others become upset and approach them to offer help. Staff skilfully adapt learning opportunities to meet the needs of all ages of children who attend.

For example, young children develop basic number identification skills in the office role-play area. Older children explore more complex learning opportunities in the same activity. Children demonstrate high levels of confidence and curiosity in their play.

For example, they are motivated to find out more information about the features of spiders. Staff support children's developing knowledge by asking age-appropriate questions. They allow children plenty of time to respond and encourage them to discuss their ideas.

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

Staff understand the needs of all children in their care. They form close relationships with families from the start. Parents provide detailed information about children and their early experiences.

This allows staff to provide diverse learning opportunities which children may otherwise not receive.Staff are knowledgeable about how children learn. They construct a sequenced curriculum which prepares children well for school.

For example, staff provide age-appropriate activities to develop children's finger strength. This supports children's emerging writing skills.Parents speak highly of staff and the positive impact they have on children's development.

Staff work hard to establish strong relationships with families. Parents and carers are invited to share their knowledge and experiences of diverse cultures and festivals. Children are learning to celebrate the characteristics which make them unique.

The enthusiastic staff are excellent role models. They take every opportunity to demonstrate good manners and respect to children. For example, staff have lunch at the table with children.

They support them to wait until everyone is seated and to use cutlery correctly.Children talk confidently about the rules in the pre-school and why they are in place. They understand that they must not run indoors.

They explain that they might fall over the toys and hurt themselves or their friends.Children learn about healthy lifestyles in the pre-school. They enjoy nutritious meals, which are provided by specialist nursery caterers.

Children grow their own fruit and vegetables in the garden, which they enjoy for snacks. Experienced staff engage children in regular exercise, including yoga sessions. Staff demonstrate equal concern for children's emotional well-being.

They help children to practise breathing and mindfulness techniques.Children demonstrate high levels of motivation in their play. They have a positive attitude towards challenging activities.

This is supported by staff, who display exceptionally high levels of enthusiasm and encouragement. For example, staff use positive language and lots of praise when children struggle to use a spiraliser to make snacks.Staff make effective use of assessments.

They have secure knowledge of the children. They are aware of their abilities and their future learning goals. Parents are kept well informed of children's development through regular electronic updates.

However, feedback from parents is not always monitored and used to benefit the children's learning. This means that opportunities for parents to extend children's progress at home are not always supported.Staff use their knowledge of children's prior learning and development well.

They engage with children during activities, to help them to achieve their next steps.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and staff regularly undertake safeguarding training to support their knowledge on how to keep children safe.

They demonstrate a good understanding of the signs and symptoms which could indicate that a child is at risk of harm. The manager and staff are clear about referral processes to follow if they have concerns about a child in their care. Staff supervise children well in all areas of the pre-school.

They have robust measures in place to monitor where children are at all times. Staff conduct regular risk assessments of all aspects of their practice to ensure that children are safe during their time at the pre-school.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: reflect more thoroughly on feedback from parents and use this information to further support children's learning at home.