The Willow Set Preschool

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision requires improvement Children are warmly welcomed by happy, caring staff who are attentive and pleased to see children as they arrive.

The setting plans a curriculum based on the areas of learning, children's interests and seasonal themes. However, the curriculum is not effectively implemented, as staff's engagement and interactions with children are too variable. While the staff know their children, they are not clear about what they want children to learn next and do not implement a curriculum that is fully focused on children's individual needs.

Children are not always sufficiently challenged to extend their learning and build on what they... already know. For example, staff do not consider potential learning opportunities or provide appropriate resources to broaden children's learning or challenge their thinking.Despite this, children settle quickly and are keen and eager to have a go at the activities provided.

They relish their time in the garden. Children have established close bonds with the staff, who offer them cuddles and reassurance when needed. Staff treat children with respect.

They encourage and praise children throughout the day. Staff help children to develop positive relationships with one another. They recognise when children need help to manage their emotions and act swiftly to offer support.

This means children can start their day feeling secure.

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

Staff monitor children's learning and identify what they need to learn next. However, they do not use this information well enough to ensure they implement the curriculum in a way that consistently and successfully builds on what each child already knows and what they can do.

In addition, there are regular times during the day when staff are preoccupied completing daily tasks such as cleaning and tidying away the resources. This diverts their attention away from the children and therefore reduces learning opportunities during these times. Consequently, some children quickly lose focus or spend periods of time disengaged from learning.

The implementation of the curriculum for communication and language is not helping children to make the progress they are capable of. Some staff are not supporting children who are already confident communicators to build their vocabulary and their conversation skills because they are not interacting with children often enough. When they do interact, they do not do enough to introduce children to new words and help them understand their meaning.

Overall, children behave well. For instance, children know the routines, as they are embedded, and follow them well. This helps children develop an understanding of what is expected of them.

However, due to inconsistencies in the curriculum, some children do not have positive attitudes to learning and struggle to concentrate. This has an impact on some children's motivation and engagement to learn new knowledge and skills.Children have opportunities to learn about the community they live in.

For example, they visit the local allotment, where they explore the different vegetables and flowers. However, staff do not do enough at these times to ignite children's curiosity and to offer them challenge, and this limits their learning.Staff encourage children to build their own independence and self-help skills.

Toddlers are encouraged to make their own choices during snack times and older children wash their hands and use the toilet independently.All children enjoy daily outdoor play. There are lots of opportunities for them to be physically active.

Children delight in using the climbing frame and ride-along toys. Staff closely supervise to ensure that children remain safe when taking appropriate risks. As a result, children are building their large muscles and confidence.

Parents speak positively of the nursery. They say their children are happy and enjoying attending. Parents say they are well informed and verbal handovers are thorough and advise them of their child's day.

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 meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage, the provider must: Due date implement an ambitious curriculum to ensure all children make good progress in all areas of their learning and development 27/09/2024 improve staff's interactions with children so that children gain the most from the curriculum and receive good support for the development of their communication and language skills.

27/09/2024

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