Saplings Children's Centre

Saplings Children's Centre Bicton College, East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, EX9 7BY

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 April 2018 16 March 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 manager evaluates the provision effectively to identify strengths and areas for development. She seeks the views of others, including parents, to help her plan improvements that have a positive impact on children's outcomes. For instance, staff now support children's mathematical development even more through cooking activities.  Staff have a secure knowledge of children's development from their observations and assessments. They use this information well to plan carefully for the next steps in each child's learning. Children make good progress from their individual starting points.  Staff develop strong partnerships with parents and other early years professionals. They keep parents well informed about their child's progress and provide ideas for parents to continue their child's learning at home. Staff work closely with relevant agencies to provide the support children require.  Staff are positive role models. They have clear expectations for behaviour and children

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This provision is good

play cooperatively together, take turns and show respect for each other. For example, children politely pass around a bowl of fruit to share with each other at snack time.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, staff do not focus on providing children with the highest level of challenge during activities to build as much as possible on what they can already do.  The manager does not monitor the progress of different groups of children to identify and address possible gaps in their achievement as swiftly as possible.

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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

 provide children with greater levels of challenge during activities to extend their learning and help them make more-rapid progress  track and review the progress of different groups of children to identify any trends and patterns in their development and to close any gaps in their learning as swiftly as possible.

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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 have a good knowledge of child protection issues and are aware of the procedure to follow should they be concerned about a child's welfare. Staff conduct regular risk assessments to identify and reduce potential hazards and supervise children competently during play. The manager supports staff well. She has regular meetings with staff and provides them with continuous professional development, which helps improve the quality of teaching. For instance, recent training has helped staff to develop new approaches that support younger children's learning successfully. Staff share important information regarding children's development with other settings children attend, to support continuity in children's learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the centre. Staff provide children with stimulating activities that encourage their learning and development well. Babies are motivated to explore and make new discoveries. For example, they delight in examining different materials, such as cold jelly. Staff place a strong focus on increasing children's communication and language skills. They consistently listen and respond to babies' early attempts at talking. Staff encourage the oldest children to use complex sentences, such as when describing their favourite films. Children listen and respond well to instructions.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff value children as individuals and form strong relationships with each child. They constantly offer children lots of praise and encouragement to support children to develop their sense of self-esteem and confidence. Children have good opportunities to learn about being healthy. Staff provide nutritious lunches and children enjoy daily outdoor play where they develop their physical skills well. For example, children thoroughly enjoy building constructions from tyres and large bricks. Staff encourage children to develop their self- help skills, such as when they encourage children to pour their own drinks. They undertake fire drills regularly to help children know how to evacuate the building safely in an emergency.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who are learning English as an additional language and those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, develop good skills that prepare them well for their next stage of learning and school. They are eager and motivated learners who enjoy making independent choices in their play. Children develop their mathematical and early writing skills well. For example, they count, identify shapes and find the total number of items in two groups by counting them. Children practise forming letters, recognise letters and the sounds they represent, and write their names confidently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY265081 Local authority Devon Inspection number 1091746 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 0 - 4 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person The Corporation of Bicton College

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 16 March 2015 Telephone number 01395 568965

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reference number

Saplings Children's Centre registered in 2003. It operates from Bicton College in East Devon. The centre is open from 8am until 6pm on Monday to Friday. It is open all year round, except for bank holidays and a week between Christmas and New Year. The centre is registered to provide free early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are eight members of staff. Of these, one holds early years professional status, one holds early years teacher status, one holds a qualification at level 4, four hold a qualification at level 3 and one is unqualified.

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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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