Sunshine Pre-school Puriton

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are happy and settle quickly, as staff provide a warm welcome to children and their families at this friendly village pre-school. The joint managers and staff have worked tirelessly since the last inspection to make improvements and provide a calm and inviting environment, where children feel secure. Staff plan and provide an ambitious curriculum for all children, including those who have special educational needs and / or disabilities (SEND).

Children move around confidently making independent choices, such as when to have snack or whether to play inside or outdoors. Staff successfully foster children's curiosity, pro...viding interesting learning experiences that motivate them to join in and investigate. For example, children take small vehicles on an imaginary journey and use their imagination as they draw roadways and tracks.

Staff skilfully extend children's learning, engaging them in discussion about the numbers and symbols they create as they draw.Staff know the children well. They have a good knowledge about what children already know and can do and are clear on what they want them to learn next.

Staff use praise effectively and acknowledge children's achievements and good behaviour. This motivates them and builds their self-confidence. Children behave well.

They share and take turns well and understand the impact their behaviour may have on others.

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

The provider supports the two managers and staff effectively to extend their skills and knowledge. Staff attend training opportunities and learn sign language to promote inclusive communication.

They have incorporated new ideas, such as 'bucket time'. This has helped children to focus during activities and has increased their involvement and listening.Staff make excellent use of books and stories to extend children's learning.

For example, during the inspection, staff share a book about feelings and emotions with the children. This encourages the children to discuss how they feel, as they begin to build a better understanding and empathy towards others. Children develop a love of books.

They select books for themselves, turn the pages carefully and look at the pictures.Staff provide good opportunities for children to solve problems and test out their ideas. For example, children make up a game outside to catapult pieces of play dough into the air by using a see-saw.

Staff ask them what they can do to enable the play dough to land in a box. Children tell staff that they need to move the see-saw nearer to the box or press down on the see-saw harder to make the play dough travel further. Children excitedly try out their ideas and squeal with delight as the play dough lands in the box successfully.

There are good partnerships with parents. Staff communicate well with parents, providing them with information about their children. Staff provide ways that parents can extend children's learning at home and work with them to help children achieve milestones, such as potty training.

Through effective evaluation, staff have identified other areas to strengthen partnerships, such as the plan to provide a learning library so that children can take books home to share with their parents.Children have a positive attitude to learning. They gravitate towards staff and show great excitement when staff get involved in their play.

They use magnifying glasses and binoculars to search for and identify bugs in the outside area. Staff introduce new words such as 'antenna' and 'slither'. This builds on children's vocabulary.

Staff are positive role models. They are kind and sensitive in their interactions with children. Children follow the staff's lead, and their play is harmonious.

They ensure that they make their needs known and access resources, such as a sand timer, to help them negotiate with one another to share toys and resources. Staff are extremely quick to recognise when children consider the needs of others or successfully manage their emotions and feelings. They give them much praise and encouragement, which boosts children's self-esteem very effectively.

Staff support children well, including those children with SEND. Staff are reflective and proactive to help children achieve. However, staff do not always do as much as they can during the sessions to provide more targeted support for all children to help them achieve their next steps as quickly as they can.

Children learn how to live a healthy lifestyle. They follow thorough hygiene routines and understand the reason why this is important. They enjoy physical activity and take part in discussions about healthy eating at mealtimes.

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: provide more targeted support throughout the session for all children to help them achieve their next steps in learning more swiftly.