Busy Otters Pre School Playgroup

Busy Otters Pre School Playgroup Ottery St. Mary Primary School, Longdogs Lane, Ottery St Mary, Devon, EX11 1HY

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 March 2018 22 June 2015

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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

 The ambitious and committed manager takes into account the views of staff, children and parents when reflecting on the quality of provision. She makes plans for improvement that are well targeted and achievable. For example, staff have recently developed the outdoor area to provide better opportunities for children to be active and build on their physical skills.  Staff have high expectations for children's learning. They observe children as they play, and accurately assess their learning. Staff plan challenging and exciting activities that build on what children already know. Children make good progress.  Staff develop warm, nurturing relationships with the children and effectively support their well-being. Children behave well and show consideration for others. For example, they happily make room at the play-dough table so that others can join in.  Staff form strong partnerships with external agencies, the local school and other

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This provision is good

settings that children attend, which ensures continuity in children's learning and development.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Methods to share information with parents, so that they can continue their children's learning and development at home, are not fully effective to engage all parents.  The manager has not embedded all opportunities to help staff raise the quality of teaching even further.

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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

 devise even better methods of communication with parents to share relevant information with them, so that they can best support their children's learning and development at home  build on the existing opportunities for staff to reflect on their own and each other's practice, to improve teaching and learning even further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager. The inspector met with the manager at appropriate times throughout the inspection, to discuss how she monitors and supports staff.  The inspector looked at a range of relevant documentation, including policies and children's records.  The inspector checked evidence of staff suitability and qualifications.  The inspector took account of the views of parents and carers spoken to on the day of the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff are knowledgeable about child protection matters. They are fully aware of what to do should they have any concerns about children's welfare. The manager inducts new staff thoroughly and regularly checks their ongoing suitability. Staff conduct risk assessments of the premises and supervise children closely to ensure they are safe at all times. The manager monitors staff's practice well and staff implement positive changes to improve outcomes for children. For example, knowledge gained from training has helped staff to develop children's mathematical skills even further. The manager checks the progress of individual children and different groups of children successfully, and swiftly identifies and addresses any gaps in learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Teaching is good and, at times, excellent. Staff know the children well and have a good awareness of their individual needs. They join children as they play and engage in constant discussion, introducing new vocabulary and modelling language very well during activities. Toddlers enjoy exploring how things feel. They eagerly investigate different textures, such as lentils, oats and water, with their hands. Staff frequently incorporate thinking about numbers and shapes into their discussions with children, using their interests to help reinforce learning. This develops children's mathematical understanding successfully.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and settled at this welcoming pre-school. Staff gain good information from parents about what children know and can do when they first start attending, to plan for their learning from the very beginning. Staff teach children about healthy lifestyles effectively. For instance, children enjoy nutritious snacks and have plenty of fresh air and exercise. Staff provide children with good opportunities to manage risks in a safe, controlled environment. For example, children use hand and foot grips confidently to master a small climbing wall, and balance along planks and blocks with great skill. Staff praise children frequently and children are confident, self-assured and motivated to learn.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who have special educational needs, those who receive additional funding and those who are learning English as an additional language, develop important skills to prepare them well for school. Children learn to recognise and write their names. They listen with interest as staff read to them. Children are sociable and develop positive relationships with their friends. They follow instructions and enjoy being independent, for example, as they help themselves to snacks.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY421724 Local authority Devon Inspection number 1094654 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 28 Number of children on roll 56 Name of registered person Busy Otters Preschool Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 22 June 2015 Telephone number 01404812442

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reference number

Busy Otters Pre School Playgroup registered in 1987. The pre-school operates from purpose-built premises in the grounds of Ottery St Mary Primary School in the village of Ottery St Mary, Devon. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday during term time only, from 9.15am to 3.15pm. The pre-school is registered to provide free early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are nine members of staff. Of these, one holds qualified teacher status, seven hold a qualification at level 3 and one holds a qualification at level 2.

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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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