Owlets

Inspection of Owlets Exeter College, Prince Of Wales Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4PL

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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 are confident and inquisitive learners. They enjoy their time at the nursery and are keen to explore their surroundings. Staff plan activities that meet children's interests and help them to develop key skills. Babies play with plastic forks and spoons in paint, and demonstrate their new-found skills when using cutlery to feed themselves at lunchtime. Toddlers explore different textures, such as mud, water and grass and then use this knowledge to link it to well-known stories. Pre-school children develop good hand-to-eye coordination when using scissors and are proud of their achievements commenting, 'Look, I'm cutting!'

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The provision is good

Staff ensure children follow the rules and boundaries of the nursery. They encourage children to take turns and to be kind to one another. As a result, children behave well and play cooperatively with their peers and adults alike. Staff have high expectations for children and gather key information about them when they first start. They use this to plan a broad curriculum that ensures all children make good progress from their starting points. Children gain strong independence skills. Older babies indicate the need for a drink by tapping their hand on the 'drink' picture to show staff they are thirsty. Toddlers and pre-school children pour their own drinks in their designated cups.

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need to do better?

n Parents comment positively on the nursery and state that staff are positive and caring. They talk about how communication from staff is clear and how they can access information via the online platform. n Management has a clear vision on improving the nursery to benefit children. Although the manager has only been in post for a short time, she is enthusiastic about investing time into the outdoor area to benefit babies. Additionally, management and staff are passionate about implementing forest school for toddlers and pre-school children to help develop their overall skills. n Staff adopt a respectful care approach. They inform children if they need to change their nappy and ask them if they can wipe their nose so children can make informed choices. n All children develop good communication skills, including those with English as an additional language. Staff gather information about children's backgrounds,

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need to do better?

cultures and sounds that they can say, to help support their overall language development. Staff use key words in children's home language, coupled with sign language to help children communicate their needs. n Overall, children have formed secure attachments to staff and demonstrate positive interactions. At times, new babies sometimes become unsettled as the key-person system is not fully embedded to help them feel consistently safe. n Staff attend frequent training and are keen to explore and initiate different types

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need to do better?

9 December 2021 of curricula to help provide a positive impact on children's development. For instance, they have researched the variety of ways children learn in other countries. n Children develop a good understanding of routines and know when it is time to sit down for snacks and meals. However, these routines are sometimes prolonged meaning children become restless while waiting to eat. n Older babies have good understanding. Staff encourage them to find and touch their nose, eyes, ears, mouth and tummy, which they do successfully. Toddlers repeat refrains from stories and songs, supporting good language skills. Pre- school children build a large-scale puzzle together, talking about the different animals they see from around the world. n Hygiene practices are good. Staff disinfect equipment and surfaces throughout the day to reduce the risk of germs and the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. They wear disposable gloves and aprons when preparing snacks and meals,

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need to do better?

including when they change children's nappies and when supporting them through toileting. n Children have strong opportunities to be active and develop a good understanding of what constitutes to a healthy lifestyle. On-site chefs prepare hot nutritious meals that cater for all children's dietary and medical requirements. Free-flow access for children to the outside area encourages children to crawl, run, jump and climb to support their overall physical skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Management and staff have a good understanding in their role and responsibilities in protecting children from harm. They are alert to potential signs when a child's welfare is in danger and are confident to report these to relevant safeguarding partners. Management check staff's ongoing suitability to ensure they continue to be safe to work with children. Staff help children to learn how to manage risks. For instance, they talk to children about 'scissor safety' and how to keep the blade pointing down towards the item they are cutting.

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should:

n develop procedures to fully embed the key-person system to enable all children, particularly babies, to settle quickly n review the organisation of daily routines to ensure all children remain engaged.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2542796 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10214382 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 104 Number of children on roll 104 Name of registered person Exeter College

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reference number

Telephone number 01392 400514 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Owlets registered in 2019 and is located in Exeter, Devon. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, for 50 weeks of the year, closing over the Christmas period in line with Exeter College's academic year. It provides free early education funding for children aged two, three and four years old. There are 43 members of staff, most of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications from level 2 to level 7.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery 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 setting. n The inspector and the manager carried out a learning walk together to discuss the intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing when at the nursery. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation in the pre-school room. n Written statements from parents were looked at and taken into account. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including staff suitability and their qualifications.

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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

9 December 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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