Knowle West Early Years Centre

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Knowle West is a nurturing and welcoming setting, which is at the centre of its community. Children love to play and learn here.

They are happy and safe. Those new to the setting settle well. Children quickly form trusting and positive relationships with all adults.

Leaders have high expectations of what all children can achieve. They provide a wealth of carefully considered activities for children to explore and engage in. Children understand clearly the expected routines and systems in place.

They develop their knowledge well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Children behave extremely well. Adults and child...ren alike develop highly respectful relationships with one another.

Children move around the setting with care. They take turns and show kindness, friendship and support towards one another. They play and interact with purpose and confidence.

Leaders develop exceptionally strong relationships with families from the moment children join the Nursery. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the care, guidance and support their children receive. One parent commented, 'Staff at Nursery place all the children and families at the heart of what they do.

The environment is calm, warm and beautiful.'

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders have created an ambitious and exciting curriculum linked to children's interests. Central to this curriculum is the emotional well-being of children and families.

Staff ensure that each child is treated as a unique individual. Effective partnerships with parents are integral to achieving happy and successful young children.

Leaders prioritise children's communication and language.

Staff use their interactions effectively to develop children's language and vocabulary. They respond quickly when children show curiosity about something new. Staff take opportunities to reinforce language and consolidate children's understanding of different experiences.

Children love listening to stories. Adults select high-quality texts to share with children. Staff provide creative opportunities for children to role play and develop their understanding of story.

Children actively choose books they wish to share with others. Adults use careful questioning to enable children to predict what might happen next. Children, including those with SEND, can talk about their favourite books and characters.

They enjoy reciting and joining in with a range of songs and rhymes to support their language development.

Staff are knowledgeable about the areas they teach. Leaders ensure that new ideas are taught in a playful way, showing a clear emphasis on language development across all areas of learning.

However, some staff do not use assessment effectively to adapt learning precisely enough to deepen and challenge children's thinking and understanding even further. This limits some children's building of knowledge.

Leaders work together to identify early those children with SEND.

They work effectively with a range of professionals to ensure children and families swiftly receive the support they need.

Staff have very high expectations of children's behaviour. Adults quickly identify when a child is struggling with their behaviour or emotions.

Staff support children to listen to and understand the views of others. They are extremely kind and caring to their peers and will comfort each other when upset.

Leaders ensure that the school's values are integral to the personal development of children.

They provide a wide range of exciting and stimulating experiences. These opportunities include music and drama, cooking in the outdoor kitchen, dance and gardening. The inspirational outdoor area enables children to take risks safely.

They enjoy climbing trees and learning how to use equipment in the outdoor kitchen safely. Children learn about celebrations and festivals to support their understanding of differences and community.

Governors share the ambition of leaders for all children to succeed regardless of their starting points.

They understand the key strengths of the provision. Leaders and governors are considerate of staff's workload and well-being. Staff talk highly of the support they receive.

They say they feel part of a 'family team'. Staff appreciate bespoke training to support their professional needs.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders ensure there is a vigilant safeguarding culture in order to keep children safe. Staff receive the relevant training and support to identify the signs that families and children may need extra help. They are effective advocates for children and are confident in recording and reporting concerns.

Leaders carry out the necessary checks when new staff join the school.

Leaders engage well with external agencies to get timely support for their children and families. Children learn about different risks in a way that is appropriate for their age and developmental understanding, including when using implements safely when cooking.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority) ? Staff do not always use assessment strategies effectively enough. This prevents some children from deepening their knowledge and understanding as well as they could. Leaders need to ensure that staff understand how to extend and deepen children's learning across the whole curriculum.

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