AN Eastville preschool and nursery where children “develop a love of learning, both indoors and outdoors” has been praised by an inspector.
Ofsted visited Bristol Children’s Playhouse, in Berkeley Green Road, in February and inspector Rebecca Martin’s report, published in March, rated the setting ‘good’ in all areas – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and personal development.
The inspector said children felt “secure and happy” at the nursery, and were confident and consistently well-behaved.
She said staff worked to develop “positive, secure relationships” with children and worked closely with parents to share information, make precise assessments and ensure care and attention was appropriate, providing “a nurturing environment for each child”.
The inspector said: “The management team and staff implement an ambitious curriculum with a clear and consistent approach.
“Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive strong support.”
The inspector said manager Sarah Ellis “strives for the best possible outcomes for children”, adding: “She spends funding for children from disadvantaged backgrounds on introducing new opportunities and widening their knowledge of the world around them.”
The report highlighted the use of Makaton signing and visual cards to help children with speech and language delay, and use of key words in other languages for children whose first language was not English.
As a result, children “show good levels of communication and language skills”.
The inspector said: “The manager has a continual drive for improvement and strives for all children to develop a love of learning, both indoors and outdoors.
“Children show high levels of independence and curiosity in their play.”
The preschool, which opened in 2005, has 48 children aged two to four on its roll and 13 members of staff working with children.
The inspection was its first since 2017, and was its fourth consecutive ‘good’ rating from the regulator.
Bristol Children’s Playhouse business manager Kirsty Clark said staff were “delighted” with the inspector’s verdict.
She said: “We are lucky to have such an experienced, highly qualified, dedicated and loyal team which helps us create a stable environment for our children, families and staff.
“We are proud to serve a diverse community, and for the inspector to witness first-hand the embodying of our core values of making children and families feel safe and welcomed.
“Sarah, the team and I feel that our report is a very true reflection of the Playhouse and showcases all elements of our inclusive and supportive practice.”