Lympstone Preschool

Inspection of Lympstone Preschool Candys Field, School Hill, Exmouth, Devon EX8 5HP

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy and confident to make choices in their play and explore their environment freely. Leaders and staff show a strong commitment to providing an inclusive, safe environment for children to play and learn in. The pre-school has strong links with the community it serves and children learn to respect their environment. Staff join in with children's play and encourage children to extend their ideas, including through asking questions and posing challenges. Children investigate and use their problem-solving skills as they work together. For example, after making kites, the children show perseverance and determination as they test out their ideas to make them fly.

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The provision is good

Staff successfully use knowledge gained through training to help raise the quality of teaching. They take every opportunity to engage with and observe children while at play. Staff consistently offer high-quality interactions using a range of strategies. Leaders have completed training focused on adult's and children's mental health. This has helped them to support the whole team and families at the pre-school during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and staff have high expectations for all children, and children develop good skills to support their future learning. Partnership working with other professionals is well established. The special educational needs coordinator works very well with parents, staff and other professionals. Staff are quick to respond when children need additional support. As a result, all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress from their starting points. n Staff support children to develop their understanding of nature very well. For example, children relish the opportunity to grow fruit and vegetables in the nature garden. Staff's timely interventions skilfully encourage children to assess whether the strawberries are ripe. Children also regularly attend an inspiring 'beach school' session, and this broadens their experience of nature and wildlife very effectively.

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need to do better?

n Children behave outstandingly well as there are very clear and consistent expectations reinforced by staff in a kind and respectful way. Staff praise children for their efforts, achievements and positive behaviour. Children show high levels of respect and care for each other and their environment. n Staff introduce phonics, writing and mathematics during all activities. For example, during group time, staff incorporate numbers into their discussion about how old children are. The children then write their age on the white board. Staff support children to learn the time, pointing out the numbers on the clock when the children ask if it is nearly lunchtime.

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need to do better?

24 June 2021 n Leaders have a clear vision of what they want children to develop. The curriculum has a clear focus on developing children's confidence and independence in readiness for school. Staff encourage children to be independent in their self-help skills. Older children show care towards younger children and enjoy helping them to put on their shoes and coats. Children are extremely independent and are willing helpers in daily tasks. For instance, they help to clear and wipe tables in preparation for mealtimes. n Leaders use additional funding effectively to support children with a variety of needs. They recognise when families need extra support, identifying this early on and implementing interventions quickly. This ensures that children make progress and get the help they need to access learning and to transition effectively to school. n Parents and carers speak very highly of the pre-school. They state that they

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need to do better?

appreciated the support they were given by staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff hold virtual meetings to share information about children's progress. At times, parents would benefit from further information and ideas about how to support children's learning at home, to enable them to extend children's learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders ensure that all staff receive effective training relating to safeguarding. They are informed about wider safeguarding issues, such as 'Prevent' duty and how to follow whistle-blowing procedures. Staff have a good understanding of the potential signs that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. Staff complete daily risk assessments and carry out regular checks of the pre-school. This supports children to play in a safe and secure environment.

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should:

n strengthen the process for sharing home learning ideas with parents to support them to build on their children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY555594 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10174415 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 39 Number of children on roll 96 Name of registered person Lympstone Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07792846555 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Lympstone Pre-school operates from a purpose-built premises in the village of Lympstone, Devon. It opens Monday to Friday from 8am-6pm for 50 weeks of the year. The pre-school are in receipt of funding for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The pre-school employs 15 members of staff. Of these, one holds a level 6 degree, two hold an early years qualification at level 4, three are qualified at level 3, three at level 2 and three staff are unqualified.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector held discussions with the management team, staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk to discuss what the manager and team want children to learn. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager of a planned adult-led activity. n The inspector took account of the views of parents and children spoken to on the day of inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of the pre-school's documents. This included policies, evidence of staff suitability and training.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

24 June 2021 regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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