Dimson Day Nursery & Kids Club

Dimson Day Nursery & Kids Club Lower Dimson Farm, Gunnislake, Cornwall, PL18 9NS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 February 2018 20 January 2014

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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

 Children experience a wide range of opportunities to learn in the outdoor environment. They explore and investigate the natural world around them. For example, older children count objects and observe shapes on their walk to the woodland area with staff.  Children of all ages demonstrate good behaviour, manners and respect for others. They value what adults and other children have to say and have the confidence to contribute to discussions.  Self-evaluation is effective. The manager uses support provided by external agencies well to ensure that staff keep all children safe and help them to make good progress.  Staff constantly monitor the environment to ensure children's safety and teach them how to keep themselves safe when in the woods. For example, children talk to adults and each other about how to move safely around the fire pit.  Staff have a strong focus on developing children's literacy skills. From an early age,

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This provision is good

children enjoy books and listening to stories.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not ensure that the range of indoor activities and the layout of the environment for the younger children are as varied and well considered as they are for the pre-school children so they can explore fully and enhance their learning further indoors.

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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

 increase the range of indoor activities and use of the environment for the younger children, to provide more varied resources and opportunities to explore, to enhance their learning opportunities further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the playrooms and the outdoor environment, and undertook a joint observation with the deputy manager.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of inspection.  The inspector held discussions with the management team and staff.  The inspector sampled documentation relating to welfare requirements, planning and children's progress.  The inspector spoke to and took account of the views of some of the older children who attend the setting.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager has a clear vision of how to use the natural, outdoor environment to support all aspects of children's learning and development. She provides a good framework of policies and procedures to support staff practice. The manager has a good overview of children's progress and identifies any gaps in their learning. She works with staff to ensure they plan activities to support these areas of learning well. The management team holds regular staff meetings and supervision to support staff in their professional development. Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff know the procedures to follow if they have a concern about a child's welfare. Partnership with parents is good. Parents speak very highly of the service staff provide and how they value the unique environment offered. They comment on the improvement in their children's confidence and communication skills.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know the children well and have high expectations for what they can achieve. They use every opportunity to support children's growing independence. For example, staff support older children in finding suitable sticks for the fire and pouring water into the camp kettle to make hot drinks. Staff model language well to encourage children's good communication skills. For example, they use open questions that encourage children to think for themselves. Staff allow children to have a say in what they would like to do next. For example, children plan what activities they would like to do outside. Staff support younger children well to hear and say letter sounds and older children to link sounds to letters. Children show good control in holding and using mark-making and writing tools. Staff encourage children's interest in numbers well. For example, older children complete a daily tally chart for the number of eggs laid by the chickens.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children relish being outside. Older children arrive and are keen to get dressed in their outdoor clothing for a trip to the woodland area. Younger children enjoy a trip outside to feed and care for the farm animals. Children have healthy snacks and staff remind them of the importance of washing their hands after caring for the animals and before mealtimes. Children behave well. Staff work well to support children to develop good self-esteem and confidence. For example, children benefit from frequent praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements in play.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress. They develop good levels of confidence and are active learners. Young children enjoy exploring and manipulating play dough. Older children enjoy spreading glue and sticking photographs to create a map of their recent trip to the local village. Children benefit from good outdoor learning opportunities. Children develop the skills they need for future learning, including going to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 509090 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 1068590 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 1 - 8 Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person Patricia French

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 20 January 2014 Telephone number 01822 832900

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reference number

Dimson Day Nursery and Kids Club registered in 1990 and is privately owned. The nursery operates each weekday throughout the year, with the exception of one week at Christmas and bank holidays. The nursery is open from 7.30am until 6pm. It provides a before- and after-school club as well as a holiday club for school-aged children up to the age of 14 years. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education places for children aged two, three and four years. There are currently 12 members of staff working with the children, eight of whom hold relevant early years qualifications. The registered person and the deputy hold early years professional status.

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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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