Carter’s Sunflowers

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this exceptional setting. The dedicated staff team show an outstanding commitment to providing a warm and nurturing environment.

They have a clear drive and ambition for every child to receive the early support and intervention they deserve in the best possible way. Children access a broad and rich curriculum which focuses on personal development and communication. They benefit from highly skilled staff interactions, which help them to become deeply engaged in their learning.

Children enthuse as they watch a lemonade fountain fizz into the air. Staff use props during sensory stories to support... children with their understanding of words. Children giggle as they feel rain from a spray bottle as staff recall the rain 'falling down' in a favourite spider story.

Children behave exceptionally well. They are kind to each other and make sure their peers have resources and all line up together. Staff support children to move around the setting safely and calmly.

Children are familiar with routines, which helps them through transitions during the day. Staff break into vibrant song to prepare children as they move from one activity to another. This helps children to feel safe and secure in their environment and understand what is happening next.

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

Staff are highly skilled at creating a unique curriculum to suit the needs of children in this setting. They consider ways to make sure the curriculum is accessible for all children, regardless of their ability. Key workers know their children exceptionally well, and they meticulously plan next steps to support children's progress.

Children make clear progression as they move through the groups in the setting, continuously building on their knowledge and abilities.Partnerships with parents are exceptional. Parents give the highest praise to staff for their dedicated support for the whole family.

They receive focused workshops to support them to manage their children's needs. Staff provide a wealth of resources and strategies for families to use at home, which fully supports consistency for children between home and the setting. Parents state that they can see the enormous progress their children make at the setting.

Children are well supported to develop their communication and language skills throughout all aspects of staff practice. Staff use a wide range of techniques to support children, such as signing, visual cues, sensory activities and song. They narrate as they play alongside children, introducing words such as 'pour' and 'scoop'.

This fully supports children to develop these skills and, as a result, they make excellent progress in their ability to communicate.Children make good progress in their physical development. They confidently explore the outside environment with curiosity and excitement.

They lift logs and search for bugs, using magnifying glasses. They use music and movement sessions to march their legs up and down and coordinate shaking instruments at the same time. Staff are highly tuned to children's needs and use the well-equipped sensory room for children to regulate their behaviour.

Soothing lights and sensory resources help children to reset their emotions.Staff work extremely closely with a wide range of external professionals to help coordinate children's complex health and educational needs. They work on specific targets and action plans to ensure that children have the best possible outcomes.

Children are well prepared for school. Staff work tirelessly to ensure that this transition is as smooth as possible. Visits to schools, sharing information with teachers and preparing children and parents in what to expect helps children to be fully prepared as they move to the next stage of their education.

Staff are extremely well supported. They receive regular supervision and training is sharply focused to ensure that they can consistently build on and deliver teaching to the highest quality. Staff well-being is an absolute priority.

Leaders take time to consider staff workload and make adaptations in the setting to support staff. Team-building days help build morale within the team. Staff comment they are proud to be part of such an inspiring setting.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Leaders and staff demonstrate excellent knowledge of how to keep children safe. They have all attended specific training in how to protect children with disabilities and are fully aware of the vulnerabilities this specific group of children have.

There are effective procedures in place should a staff member need to report a concern about the welfare of a child. Staff show an excellent understanding of local safeguarding trends, such as county lines. Leaders and staff are clear about how to manage and report any allegations made against staff.

Staff communicate exceptionally well. The highly effective deployment of staff provides each child with one-to-one support. This ensures that children are kept safe at all times.