Seedlings Preschool Ltd

Seedlings Preschool Ltd Dunstone Primary School, Shortwood Crescent, Plymouth, PL9 8TQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 February 2017 21 March 2013

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Effective partnerships with other agencies enable the staff to provide additional support to children's individual learning and development. Children make good progress from their starting points and staff prepare them well for school.  Staff provide good support to children's communication and language development. They skilfully help children who learn more than one language. Staff successfully help children to understand the routines and to make independent choices.  The management team is thorough in its self-evaluation process. Managers take effective action to continue to improve their provision for children. For example, they have increased the range of outdoor learning opportunities.  Staff observe and support children well in their play, and they summarise their progress effectively. Managers closely analyse children's assessment records to identify and promptly provide additional support to close any gaps in children's learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, staff do not organise group activities effectively, to ensure they consistently challenge and engage all children in their learning.  Staff do not involve parents enough in their children's learning, to further support children's development at home and in the setting.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 improve the organisation of group activities to consistently challenge all children, to engage them fully and further support their learning  involve parents more in their children's learning, to further support children's development at home and in the setting.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held discussions with the management team, staff and parents.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the management team.  The inspector observed staff and children in their indoor and outdoor activities.  The inspector took account of the self-evaluation form and sampled children's development records.  The inspector checked the safety of the premises and looked at required documentation, including evidence of staff suitability and qualification certificates.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The management team and staff have successfully addressed the previous inspection recommendation to improve the organisation of lunchtime. For example, children develop good social skills and learn not to leave the table until they have all finished eating. Staff organise a quiet time for children after lunch to rest and relax. The management team supports staff well to attend training to develop their teaching skills and children's experiences. For instance, staff have made the resources for younger children more accessible to encourage them to make choices and engage more in their play. Staff make better use of pictures and signing to support children's communication. They skilfully question the children, and support them well to listen and think of their answer. Safeguarding is effective. The management team and staff have a good knowledge of the procedures to follow that enable them to safeguard children's welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children learn well through play and enjoy their activities. For instance, older children listen carefully to guess which musical instrument they can hear. Children play instruments and sing with enthusiasm. They correctly follow the instructions to be 'quiet', 'really loud' and to 'stop'. Younger children engage well during a sensory activity and enjoy rolling and squeezing the sparkly 'disco dough'. Older children select tape measures and busily move around measuring things. They show a keen interest in mathematics. For example, they frequently count, and talk about size and shape in their play.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff successfully support children to behave well. For example, older children use a sand timer to manage taking turns themselves. Children learn where it is safe to run and they adapt their behaviour well to help prevent accidents. Staff reassure and nurture younger children sensitively. Children feel secure. They make friends and learn to play well with others, which effectively supports their personal, social and emotional development. Children are confident and independent. They decide when to have snack. They pour their drinks and clear away. Children enjoy learning outdoors. For example, staff provide activities for them to grow and eat fruits and vegetables. Staff supervise and support children well to meet their individual needs and keep them safe. Overall, staff work well with parents to provide them with information about children's routines and activities.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children enjoy being in the pre-school and settle well. They move around with confidence and use the toys and equipment well. Children listen to staff and respond promptly to any instructions. For example, children readily prepare for lunchtime and get ready to play outside. Children develop the skills they need for future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY279371 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 1061752 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 39 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Seedlings Pre-School Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 21 March 2013 Telephone number 01752 491547

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reference number

Seedlings Preschool Limited registered in 2004 and operates from a separate building at Dunstone Primary School. It is run as a community business venture and is managed by a committee of local people, including staff and parents. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday from 9am until 3pm, during school term times. There are 11 staff employed to work with the children. Of these, six staff hold qualifications at level 3, three staff hold qualifications at level 2, and one member of staff has early years teacher status. The pre- school receives early education funding to provide free places for children aged two, three and four years.

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reference number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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reference number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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