The children reflect a variety of ethnic backgrounds and come from all areas of the local authority. Most of the parents are working. The older children are taught in rooms at the top of the large building and have access to a safe garden area which is currently being re-developed to provide a more stimulating environment. There are three members of staff who work with the children. The room co-ordinator and one of the other members of the team, have been appointed since the previous inspection and are both suitably qualified.
Children move on to many different schools at rising five.
Some of the children transfer to the linked preparatory school, some to other preparatory schools and others to local authority schools. Salcombe Pre-school is a very good setting which enables the children to work towards the early learning goals in all six areas by offering a well balanced curriculum. The staff foster the children's confidence, curiosity and concern for each other, and they support the children well. They ensure that the children's behaviour is acceptable and that children are developing the skills needed to become co-operative members of the group. Many opportunities are provided for the children to develop their skills and knowledge in all six areas of learning, with priority being given to personal, social and emotional development, communication, language and literacy and mathematics.