Ducklings Pre-School Creaton

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are excited to arrive at this friendly pre-school. Staff greet families enthusiastically and chat about the exciting activities children can explore during their day. Children enjoy a variety of learning opportunities in the extensive pre-school building and in the exciting outdoor area.

For example, children attend ballet and forest school sessions to support their learning and development.Children demonstrate high levels of independence. This is supported particularly well during meal and snack times.

Children set the table with china plates and cups. They follow visual menus and help themselves to a variety... of healthy foods. Once they have finished eating, children rinse their crockery before placing them carefully in appropriate containers.

This prepares children well for the routines of school.Children demonstrate good language skills. They communicate confidently with each other and adults.

Staff consistently role model new and descriptive language. They make excellent use of group sessions to extend children's vocabulary. For example, during circle time children are introduced to new words.

They discuss what they mean, before staff support them to use this new vocabulary in sentences.

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

Relationships between staff and parents are of a high standard. The manager establishes highly effective methods of two-way communication.

This allows staff and families to share vital information about children's routines. Parents receive continuous updates on children's progress via an electronic system. They attend regular consultation sessions and gather ideas about how to support children's learning at home.

Parents are incredibly complimentary about staff and the exceptional support they provide for the whole family. They acknowledge the positive impact this has on children's well-being.Children behave well in the pre-school.

Staff make good use of regular group sessions to support children's understanding of appropriate behaviour. During circle time, children and staff explore the rules in the pre-school. They discuss why they are in place, and the impact not following them may have on themselves and others.

Children are developing a good understanding of the need to take turns in activities. Staff encourage children to use sand timers to monitor the time they spend playing with popular resources.Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported in the setting.

The manager demonstrates great integrity when distributing additional funding appropriately. She employs highly qualified staff to provide one-to-one support for children. This allows all children equal access to high- quality teaching opportunities.

Staff place sharp focus on children's emotional development. They use stories and well-structured activities to support children's understanding of their feelings. For example, children use mirrors to identify their facial expressions.

Staff encourage them to explore what these emotions are, and the possible reasons why they may be feeling them.The manager completes regular appraisals and supervisions with all staff. This helps to identify areas for development and monitor well-being.

The highly qualified team of staff embrace opportunities to extend their knowledge. The manager fully supports them to access additional training opportunities. This enables staff to enhance their practice and offer high-quality teaching to all children.

Children demonstrate high levels of confidence. They interact well with visitors, enthusiastically inviting them into their play. Staff develop effective strategies that support children to develop a deep sense of pride in their achievements.

For example, children delight at showing visitors photographs of their personal accomplishments, which are displayed on their 'superhero' board.The manager and her highly qualified staff are passionate about their role in supporting children's development. They create a nurturing, warm environment where children feel safe and secure.

However, some areas of the indoor space are not consistently well organised. This does not support all children to become engaged in the wide variety of learning opportunities that are available.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The manager and staff have a strong understanding of their role in keeping children safe. They demonstrate good knowledge of the signs and symptoms, which can indicate a child is at risk from harm. Staff confidently discuss the correct process to follow if they have safeguarding concerns.

All staff attend regular first-aid and safeguarding training to ensure their knowledge remains up to date. Staff complete regular risk assessments of the extensive pre-school environment and supervise children well in all areas.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: nenhance methods of evaluation to ensure the indoor learning environment continues to meet the changing interests and developmental needs of all children.