Little Trees Pre-School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

All children are immersed in the awe and wonder of learning. From the moment children arrive, staff take them on a wonderful journey of finding out what they can learn to do and find out. Children show immense pleasure in finding out how they can extend control of their bodies.

For some children this includes sustaining a high level of concentration as they stand on one leg, with one foot resting on their knee while circling their arms. For other children it means exploring with delight different textures. Children learn how they can control their breathing and how this can affect the way they feel.

Staff are ex...tremely receptive and responsive to each child's needs, particularly the need to feel safe and secure. Children show extraordinary levels of concern and respect for others, particularly towards those who are less able than themselves. For example, one child stops his play to help another child who is struggling to pull himself off a climbing rope.

The exceptional manager and staff are remarkably effective in working with parents and other professionals to identify and meet the diverse needs of children in their care. They continually build on their expert knowledge and skills to ensure that they can meet every child's needs exceptionally well. As a result, all children achieve the best possible outcomes.

This includes children with special educational needs, significant physical disabilities and complex health needs.

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

Staff place excellent consideration on getting to know children and obtaining information about their needs before they attend the setting. This includes making visits to children's homes and devising individual settling-in plans.

As many children are new to the setting, staff have placed the highest focus on supporting them in developing strong relationships and friendships with staff and other children. The impact of this is very evident as children arrive confident and eager to learn and play with their friends and staff. Parents report that they have been absolutely amazed at how their children have settled, how well the staff meet their child's needs and the information they receive to support learning at home.

Teaching is outstanding. The manager consistently ensures teaching is sharply targeted to excel learning in areas where children's achievements are lower than typical. Her current focus is on helping children to develop their attention, listening and speaking skills.

Staff continually place exemplary focus on this area of learning in all of their interactions with individual children. Small- and large-group activities are planned exceptionally well. This results in children making rapid progress.

Staff are exceptionally skilled in helping children to persevere and achieve. They model curiosity, joy and anticipation to capture and maintain children's attention. Children show high levels of participation and wonderment as they take part in all activities.

They exclaim 'wow' as they listen and learn how to make patterns. Children are eager to show what they remember and to learn more. They consistently hear and confidently use new vocabulary that is introduced to them, including correctly identifying what came first, next and last in the story.

The curriculum is meticulously planned and monitored. The array of activities and experiences provided ensure children develop the skills they need for their future learning and eventual move to school. Staff continually provide new and unusual activities to enthuse children's motivation to participate.

Children's level of excitement and anticipation is contagious as they whip white balls into the air. This is done through their concerted joint effort of moving the parachute to familiar music in a well-loved film.Children's behaviour and attitudes are exceptional.

Staff help children understand what makes them unique and children accept and respect each other's differences. Children develop high levels of confidence in new social situations. This includes children dressing up and representing the pre-school in the local carnival, and performing in shows.

Staff recognise and praise each small step in children's achievements. Children are eager to share and cooperate with each other. This is particularly evident during outdoor play and tidy-away time when children work together and respond positively to other's requests to share toys.

The manager and staff team are inspirational in their pursuit of excellence. Staff report that they feel exceptionally well supported in their roles and in developing their professional knowledge and skills.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff are highly committed to keeping children safe. They undertake regular safeguarding training and receive regular updates at staff meetings. The manager and staff have a strong understanding of their responsibilities to take all necessary action to keep children safe.

Staff are extremely vigilant in their supervision of children and take all necessary steps to ensure children play in a safe and secure environment. All staff hold a paediatric first-aid qualification. Robust recruitment procedures and monitoring of staff ensure the ongoing suitability of staff.

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