Creating a nurturing environment to promote children’s development

Information about the setting

Nant y Groes Playgroup is an English medium setting in the heart of Colwyn Bay, Conwy, registered to take 42 children ranging from two to four years old.  The setting is next to Ysgol Nant y Groes, and most children who attend the playgroup move on to the Nursery class there.  There are seven members of staff.

Context and background to the effective or innovative practice

The registered person and manager of the setting have a clear vision to provide high quality childcare and education for all children, which meet children’s individual needs.  They believe strongly in giving every child the best possible start in life, and seek to support children in their care in all areas of their wellbeing, helping them develop to their full potential and working closely with families.  The Welsh Government has identified the setting’s community as an area of social deprivation, and the setting works in close partnership with professional agencies, including Flying Start.  This has helped in developing expertise in supporting children over the years.

Description of nature of strategy or activity

Practitioners at Ysgol Nant y Groes use a range of strategies to manage children’s behavior extremely effectively.  This means that vulnerable children settle quickly in the playgroup each day, are able to make the most of the learning experiences offered, and make good progress in developing a full range of skills.

There is a clear behaviour policy in the setting, linked to a strong and predictable routine.  The setting sets firm boundaries for children and sticks to these consistently.  Expectations are explained clearly and positive support provided to help children conform to these.  Practitioners get to know the children well, and understand their individual needs and concerns.  They aim to be kind and respectful towards the children at all times, and know how to distract them appropriately and keep them busy and interested.  This gives children a great sense of security and helps them to develop a range of personal and social skills highly effectively, such as beginning to learn to co-operate with one another and waiting to have a turn with toys such as the bikes.   

The setting has developed its expertise and understanding of children’s individual needs over the years through personal reflection on its own practice and learning from training.  In staff meetings, concerns are reviewed about specific children regularly, and decisions made on what can be done to support them best.  All practitioners work sensitively alongside the children, being careful to support them when they need it while not intervening too soon.

Practitioners work closely with parents and carers to develop specific plans for individual children, which provide as much continuity between home and setting as possible.

What impact has this work had on provision and children’s standards?

The strong, positive and consistent approach to behaviour management has created a calm, efficient and respectful ethos in the setting and enabled vulnerable children to thrive.  Children develop their personal and social skills well, at a developmentally appropriate level.  For example, they are beginning to accept and respect the boundaries set for them in the setting and to learn to share appropriately. 

How have you shared your good practice?

Good practice has been shared informally at local authority networking events.