Coleridge Pre-school Playgroup

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Staff give children a warm welcome in this friendly pre-school. They demonstrate nurturing relationships with children and provide reassuring cuddles when necessary. They support children to recognise their emotions, including through the use of stories and drawings.

Children regulate their behaviour well. They make good friendships with other children and enjoy spending time with them. Staff help children to learn about different ways of life and to take part in community events.

For instance, children delight in decorating a Christmas tree at the local church.Children learn about a wide variety of topics as part of a...n ambitious curriculum. Staff encourage the children to be imaginative and share resources.

Children work together as they use items in many creative ways, such as using plastic cones as microphones, robot arms and hats. Children confidently choose their own activities and focus for extended periods. They problem-solve in the outdoor area effectively, finding water to add to their 'potions' in the mud kitchen.

They skilfully learn to negotiate spaces as they run around obstacles. Staff support them to develop their mark-making skills and begin to practise writing their names. Children learn to hold scissors effectively to cut paper and glue different shapes.

They demonstrate good physical ability for their ages.

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

Staff put in place a high-quality, varied curriculum that is underpinned by a clear shared ethos. They use themes based on children's interests and important events to develop children's understanding in all areas of the early years foundation stage curriculum.

Staff focus on developing children's confidence, listening and sense of self. They know the children well and are able to skilfully tailor activities to individual children.Staff promote a love of reading particularly well.

They are enthusiastic storytellers, and children listen to them with delight as they read. Children look at books independently. They learn to turn the pages carefully and make up stories using the pictures.

Staff provide a lending library, where children regularly choose books to take home.Mathematical development is good. Staff use mathematical language with children as they play.

They support children to compare amounts and learn the concepts of more and less. Children count objects to five as part of their independent play. They enjoy exploring shapes and confidently build cubes using magnetic squares.

Staff regularly join in children's play. They introduce new and challenging vocabulary to them linked to their interests, such as teaching the children the names of different dinosaurs. They talk to the children about what they are doing.

However, they do not always give children enough time to answer questions, which would help children demonstrate their knowledge and understanding and build their conversation skills.Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make good progress. Staff identify when children need extra help and work closely with other professionals to put in place specific support plans.

For instance, they work closely with speech therapists to support children with speech and language difficulties.Staff gain essential information from parents when children start in the setting. For instance, they find out about children's dietary requirements and medical needs.

Staff undertake training to support children with specific additional needs. They use different methods to communicate with parents, including through daily discussions and parents' evenings. However, parents are not always aware of their child's next steps and how they can support them in their learning at home.

Staff develop children's independence well. They have shared high expectations of what children can do for themselves and provide frequent opportunities for them to develop their skills in this area. For example, children serve their own cereal and carefully pour in the milk.

Children respond well to routines, such as knowing where to put drawings to take home.Behaviour is good. Staff have put in place clear routines and rules, which the children respond well to.

Children are motivated by being recognised for trying their best and being kind. For instance, they are delighted to receive stickers for being 'helpful hamsters' and 'kind koalas'. Children demonstrate great pride in their achievements.

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: give children more time to answer questions, express their knowledge and understanding and develop their conversation skills further strengthen information-sharing with parents so they are aware of their child's next steps and how to support them at home.