Songbirds Preston

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children enjoy their time in this lively, welcoming nursery. They are keen to join their friends and get involved in interesting activities. The space and resources have been planned well to inspire children to explore and investigate.

Information about the youngest children's home routines is obtained from parents and these are replicated in the nursery. Staff caring for babies are patient and nurturing. This means children settle quickly and form strong bonds with their key person.

Staff provide a comfortable space for parents who want to come in and breastfeed their baby.Children learn to be kind and begin to unders...tand the impact their actions have on others. They demonstrate positive behaviour and have good relationships with one another.

Children make good progress in all aspects of learning during their time at the nursery. The curriculum considers children's interests and next steps in learning and overall, offers appropriate challenge. Pre-school children are prepared well for the eventual move to school.

Children benefit from an outdoor area that excites them and stimulates their learning. Older children risk assess for themselves where areas are slippery and muddy. Adult-led sessions take place in a covered classroom area.

Children listen quietly and think about what they can hear. This promotes discussions. They talk about birds, the wind, the children in the other rooms playing and the traffic on the road.

They think about the 'pitter patter' sound the rain makes on the roof.

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

Leaders use additional funding well to ensure key people have the time and resources they need to support learning for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff work successfully with other professionals to provide continuity for these children and give them the best opportunities to make good progress.

For example, staff use effective strategies to promote communication for children who are not able to communicate verbally. Children use pictures and technology to share what they want. They enjoy singing favourite nursery rhymes and begin to use single words.

Staff frequently introduce new words for children. For instance, they talk about dinosaurs that are 'extinct'. They discuss which are 'herbivores' and 'carnivores'.

This helps children to broaden their vocabulary. In small groups, staff encourage children to share their knowledge. During these times, they remind children to listen to one another and wait their turn to speak.

This prepares children well for their learning in school. However, staff do not always challenge more able children's thinking to fully explore what they already know and how they attained their knowledge.Staff model language well for children.

They describe what younger children are doing as they play. They ask questions that prompt children's thinking. For example, during children's play with water, they ask which objects children think will float.

They support children to recall previous learning, such as remembering that rainbows form when there is sun and rain. Staff also encourage children to predict what might happen, for instance, if they pour water into a colander. They introduce early mathematics to children when they talk about size and quantity.

Staff in each room choose five books each month to share with children. The books have themes, based on children's interests and their next steps. For example, they help children to understand emotions.

The repetition and use of language supports children's growing confidence in using language and early reading skills. The impact is shown in children's better use of language, their ability to recall learning, and imaginative play as children re-enact the stories in their play. Because children have learned together, they bring the topics into their play together, which supports their relationships.

Children develop their independence skills during their time at the nursery. Babies use spoons to feed themselves. Toddlers begin to understand good hygiene when they wash their own hands.

Older children think about what clothes they might need for the weather and fasten their coats before they go outside to play.In general, staff work in partnership with parents and other settings to obtain information, which they use to complement their planning for children. Staff encourage parents to continue their children's learning at home.

However, not all parents feel that they are kept well informed about their children's learning and progress.Staff morale is good, and they feel well supported by leaders. They benefit from regular support and supervision.

They receive frequent, constructive feedback about their teaching practice. Staff have access to training that supports their professional development. This ensures all children benefit from quality care and learning that continually improves.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Well qualified, suitably trained staff keep children safe. They complete effective risk assessments to ensure the premises are clean, safe and secure.

Leaders and staff show a good knowledge of child protection issues. They respond promptly and appropriately when concerns arise. They work successfully with parents and other professionals to protect the welfare of children in their care.

Staff teach children how to keep themselves safe. They encourage older children to risk assess for themselves and gently remind younger children of rules that are in place to keep them safe.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: nexplore ways to further challenge more able children so that they continually build on their skills and knowledge and make the best possible progress develop an effective two-way flow of communication with parents so that they are better informed about the progress their children are making and how to support children's learning at home.

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