Derw Bach is a preschool playgroup attached to Ysgol Calon y Dderwen Primary School. It is situated in the centre of Newtown and serves a flying start area. The setting is registered for up to 32 three to four-year-olds offering three plus education hours and the childcare offer.
It is an English medium setting but strives to use and encourage the use of the Welsh language. Derw Bach provides a diverse, friendly, and safe environment where children are actively encouraged and supported to become kind, respectful and independent individuals.
At present, Derw Bach has families from Poland, Turkey, and Ukraine. It strives to communicate in a family’s own language through greetings and the use of key words.
Context and background to the effective or innovative practice
Leaders and practitioners at Derw Bach always consider the impact of provision on the children’s learning and well-being. Consistency builds teamwork and trust between practitioners and maintaining high standards ensures high quality provision for children.
Description of nature of strategy or activity
Practitioners continually reflect on their practise and the provision. Children’s individual play is closely observed and planning of activities and provision is amended based on children’s interests and needs. All practitioners have the same approach to this process. Regular staff meetings and effective communication ensure a consistent approach. Practitioners regularly reflect on the ongoing improvements at the setting including the impact of any training attended and how it has been implemented.
The setting development plan, which is drawn up annually, connects with any early years grant spending. This ensures that funds are targeted at current priorities with the interest of the child in mind. Supervisions are held regularly and include discussion about how best to improve the provision. Practitioners are always encouraged in their personal development and opportunities to reflect on their practice emphasise how well they are doing. For example, all practitioners undertook Autism Wales award training to gain a better understanding and to provide effective and consistent support for children with emerging needs.
What impact has this work had on provision and children’s standards?
Children make good progress in learning by following their own interests. Practitioners know each child well, provide for continual learning during play and have a consistent approach to behaviour management. As a result, children have a strong sense of well-being and belonging.
Children with emerging needs made great progress with communication skills after practitioners had trained through Autism Wales. Makaton signs are used in appropriate ways and the environment has been adapted to suit children’s needs, ensuring a calmer environment and therefore calmer children.
