Serendipity Day Nursery Ltd

Inspection of Serendipity Day Nursery Ltd Oakymead Park, Newton Road, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 3AN

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Good Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

The quality of teaching is variable. At times, staff do not provide children with enough high-quality interactions to help children build on what they already know. During adult-led activities, large group sizes mean staff cannot meet the individual needs of all children. Older children begin to disengage and lose interest. Younger and quieter children sometimes, do not receive support or interaction when needed. Children do not make the progress they are capable of making.

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The provision requires improvement

When teaching is of better quality, staff encourage older children to develop their imaginative skills. Children talk about going on holiday and decide what items to 'pack'. Outside, younger children learn how to blow bubbles. Staff show them how to hold the bubble container to prevent the mixture from spilling out. They encourage children to develop their hand-to-eye coordination. Staff place their hand over theirs when retrieving the bubble solution. Children excitedly chase and pop the bubbles once blown. Children gain basic skills to help them move forward in their learning.

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The provision requires improvement

Children feel safe and secure. They confidently approach staff for cuddles and to share their experiences. Staff are friendly and caring. They support children with sharing and being kind to others. Children behave well.

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The provision requires improvement

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the owner has introduced extra handwashing stations. Children independently wash their hands when they enter the nursery to help reduce the risk of transmission.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff know children well and understand what they need to learn next. Children make some progress from their starting points and staff plan activities that meet children's interests. However, the owner does not monitor the manager and staff's practice well enough to identify weaknesses via her self-evaluation process. She does not ensure children receive stimulating interactions and suitable challenges. Staff do not consistently help children to engage with activities to ensure they achieve their next steps. n All children enjoy making fruit lollipops with the owner. They learn about the importance of hygiene and the names of different fruits. Staff help children to understand the meaning of new words, such as 'consistency'. They support children in understanding the concept of time using a clock. Older children estimate how long it will take the fruit lollies to freeze. For instance, 'five hours'.

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need to do better?

Afterwards, children enjoy these in the garden with their friends, recalling how they made them and what they taste like. However, because of the large group sizes and mixed age ranges, the owner and staff do not meet all children's

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need to do better?

18 August 2021 individual needs effectively. Older children begin to lose interest and talk among themselves. Younger and quieter children sit silently for long periods as the owner and staff do not consistently interact with them. n Partnerships with parents and local agencies are effective. Parents comment on how well children settle and the range of activities provided, such as cooking opportunities. Staff ensure children receive appropriate support from other professionals where needed and monitor children's progress. n All children learn to be independent. Staff encourage younger children to find their shoes and put them on before going outside. Older children set the table for lunch and use tongs to self-serve snacks and meals. Staff support children with pouring drinks and guide them in placing used plates and cutlery in the sink. n Staff attend training to help them understand children's behaviour. They

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need to do better?

understand how different factors can contribute to the way children react in certain situations. For instance, staff use short and simple sentences to help younger children understand their feelings. Older children talk about the rules of the nursery to aid their communication and language development. n Children develop a good understanding of how to keep healthy and active. The manager and staff cook nutritious meals and talk to children about how food benefits the body. All children thoroughly enjoy being outside. Older children excitedly run up and down the 'grass hill' with their friends. Younger children independently pour sand from one container to another. However, staff do not provide enough opportunities for children to engage in messy and sensory activities throughout the day, particularly outside. Children do not always have consistent experiences to support their creative development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The owner, manager and staff have a sound understanding of when a child may be at risk of harm. They know how to report their concerns to the relevant authorities and record any pre-existing injuries children may have as they enter the nursery. The owner ensures new and existing staff are suitable to work with children. The recruitment procedure is robust to ensure the staff who care for children have appropriate childcare qualifications and experience. The premises are secure to prevent unauthorised visitors from entering. Staff ensure children's safety, such as when using knives to cut fruit.

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Due date

18 August 2021 coach and mentor staff to ensure they have the necessary skills to help build on what children already know and can do to meet their next steps effectively 19/10/2021

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Due date

ensure staff provide all children with consistent high-quality interactions to enable them to move rapidly forward in their development. 19/10/2021

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should:

n provide consistent opportunities for children to engage in a wide range of messy and sensory experiences to support their creative development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY266819 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10203416 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Serendipity Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01626369697 Date of previous inspection 3 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Serendipity Day Nursery Ltd is situated in Kingsteignton, near Newton Abbot, Devon. It registered in 2003 but the new owner bought the nursery in September 2020. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm, 50 weeks of the year. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years old. The setting employs six members of staff with one volunteer. The owner, manager and four staff all started in November 2020 and one member of staff is existing from the previous ownership. They all hold relevant qualifications at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the nursery. n The owner took the inspector on a learning walk to discuss the curriculum and how the nursery is organised. n The inspector observed how staff interacted with the children and looked at the range of activities provided, both inside and outside. n Parents provided their views on the care and education of the nursery and the inspector took these into account. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation and discussed the quality of teaching.

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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

18 August 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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