Pre-school leaders 'ecstatic' after second outstanding rating

A PRE-school in Coalpit Heath has been rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted inspectors for the second time.

Little Explorers, based in the Manor Hall, was started by manager Helen Moorfield in 2015.

The regulator praised Helen for inspiring and passionately supporting staff in delivering an ambitious, inclusive and interesting curriculum.

Inspector Stella Orfanidou visited the group in March.

She rated the pre-school as outstanding in all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Her report said children thrived in a nurturing environment at the “excellent and well-established pre-school”.

The inspector said: “Staff cultivate strong professional relationships with both the children and their families, fostering a warm and supportive atmosphere of care and connection.

“As a result, children feel a deep sense of belonging, which contributes to their overall wellbeing. Children are confident and thoroughly enjoy their time here.

“The manager and staff highly regard each child as a unique individual, and strive to foster an inclusive environment.”

The report praised the way staff work with external agencies to create individual learning plans for children with special educational needs or disabilities.

It said staff are “exceptional practitioners” who hold themselves to extremely high expectations.

The inspector said: "The manager and staff excel at supporting children's communication and language development. They create a language-rich environment and use a programme with diverse activities to help children learn and communicate effectively.”

The report welcomed the way staff introduce mathematical concepts to children from a very early age through everyday activities.

The inspector added: “Staff give top priority to the successful development of children's selfcare skills and independence throughout the setting.

“They offer children sufficient time and space to concentrate on tasks and persevere independently. For instance, during morning snack time, children of all ages wash their hands, select and cut their own fruit and clean up after themselves by washing their plate and putting it away.

“Staff assist younger children when necessary and acknowledge and celebrate children's accomplishments and progress. This helps children experience a positive impact on their selfawareness and self-esteem.”

The inspector said staff also helped young children's emotional development by guiding them to confidently express their thoughts and feelings, while recognising the impact of their actions on others.

She said children cultivate a positive outlook towards the world around them, embracing visits to their school and local church with great delight, fostering a sense of appreciation for their community and instilling values of gratitude and

respect.

Little Explorers includes outdoor space where physical activities that enhance children's physical skills, including climbing and balancing.

The report says Helen and her staff receive high praise from parents for their support and dedication, especially towards SEND children, and parents feel highly involved in their children's learning.

Little Explorers, which caters for up to 52 children aged under four, also received an outstanding rating at its first inspection in 2017.

Helen said: "We are ecstatic to receive our second Ofsted 'outstanding' rating, back to back, which is very hard to achieve.

"We are a term time-only, pack-away setting and work extremely hard to provide a high quality provision.

"We aim to provide excellent foundations that support children into their transition to school and carry on into adulthood.

"I would like to thank all the staff for their continued hard work, as it’s a very difficult job to be in.

"Early years education does not get the recognition it deserves, and it’s extremely difficult under the rising economic costs.

"Thank you to all the parents, for their support and trusting us with their precious little ones."