Smart Start Preschool

Inspection of Smart Start Preschool Lidn Park, Quarry Crescent, Pennygillam Industrial Estate, Launceston, Cornwall PL15 7PF

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children arrive eagerly and receive a warm welcome from their key person. They settle quickly and begin to explore a wide range of activities and toys. Children have fun in the pre-school and become motivated and creative learners. For example, they concentrate well to make festive decorations. They enjoy using different shiny materials, and hold them up, saying, 'look, it sparkles'.

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The provision is good

Staff are good role models and treat children with kindness. As a result, children's behaviour is very good. They share toys and take turns during activities with the gentle guidance of the staff. Children know what is expected of them and remember their good manners, for example.

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The provision is good

Children learn how to lead a healthy lifestyle. For example, they enjoy making fruit drinks to enjoy at snack time. Staff encourage them to have a go at chopping up the fruit, and praise their efforts. Children beam with pride and become independent and confident in their own abilities. Outdoors, children are happy to be physically active and learn to climb and balance with increasing skill.

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The provision is good

The manager and staff place a high priority on supporting all children's well-being. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, they maintained regular contact with families to check on their welfare and support children's home learning.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff get to know children and families well. They gather important information from parents when children first start to attend. This helps them to organise a curriculum that promotes their learning from the start. As children develop different interests, staff provide activities that support them to move on in their learning. Children make good progress from their starting points. n Parents speak highly of the pre-school. They comment favourably about the staff and say they are kind and caring. There is a good two-way flow of information, which means that children benefit from continuity in their care. For example, staff talk to parents about how they approach toilet training with the children at home. They are then able to use the same ways to support children in the pre-school. n The manager and staff provide strong support, when children need extra help with their learning and development. They are very proactive in working with

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need to do better?

other professionals and follow their advice diligently. This helps all children to enjoy their learning and reach their full potential. n Children are confident communicators. Older children talk excitedly and fluently about decorating their Christmas trees, for example. Younger children quickly

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need to do better?

25 November 2021 learn new words. They repeat words, such as 'squishy', to describe how jelly feels as they thoroughly enjoy exploring the jelly with their fingers. n Children enjoy regular story times and develop a love of books. Children are captivated as staff read familiar stories. Staff skilfully vary their voices, for example, and encourage children to comment on the story. Children gain good literacy skills as they recognise and repeat familiar rhyming words. Staff value what children have to say and help them to explain their thoughts and ideas. n Staff follow children's interests and make the most of opportunities to promote learning during their independent play. Overall, group activities support children to develop skills in different areas of learning. However, sometimes, staff do not plan group activities to fully engage all children. This means that some older children are not able to deepen and extend their learning.

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need to do better?

n The manager supervises and supports staff very effectively. Staff comment that they are happy to be part of a supportive team. They enjoy working with children and feel that their expertise is valued. The manager regularly models good practice and ensures staff access the training they need to extend their skills. This means that children benefit from support from knowledgeable and motivated staff. n The manager and staff form good partnerships with other providers and local schools. They ensure that children become ready for the next stage in their education by encouraging them to be independent. Children move on to school with the skills they need to enjoy school life.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a clear understanding about their responsibility to keep children safe. They attend regular training to keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date. Staff know the signs and symptoms that would give them cause for concern about a child's welfare. They know the correct procedure to follow to ensure all children are kept safe from harm. Staff supervise children diligently at all times. They provide a safe and secure environment for children to enjoy playing and exploring in. Children learn to keep themselves safe during play. For example, they know how to take turns as they climb up the slide, so everyone can slide down safely.

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should:

n improve the planning of adult-led activities to ensure all children have opportunities to deepen and extend their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2516020 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 10194505 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 40 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Branch, Debra Ann

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reference number

Telephone number 01566248060 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Smart Start Preschool registered in 2019 and is situated in Launceston, Cornwall. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm and offers free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are four staff, all of whom have an appropriate early years qualification. The manager holds early years professional status.

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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 manager carried out joint observations with the inspector and talked about the quality of teaching. n The inspector spoke to children, staff and parents and took account of their views. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector met with the manager and looked at a range of documents, including checks for the suitability of staff.

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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

25 November 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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