Sunflowers Day Nursery

Inspection of Sunflowers Day Nursery 82, High Street, Crediton, Devon EX17 3LA

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children show that they are very happy and feel secure at the nursery. Friendly staff chat with children on arrival to help them settle quickly. Children benefit from a variety of experiences that are interesting and capture their attention. For example, babies are fascinated to use paint rollers. They develop their small- muscle skills as they roll the sponge in the paint and then onto paper. They happily repeat their actions and respond with big smiles. Toddlers are curious and show a positive attitude to learning as they explore their environment. They like to play with the tubes, funnels and plastic trays on the water wall in the courtyard. They show good levels of concentration as they pour water from their small cans. Pre- school children show increasing levels of independence and creativity. All children make good progress.

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The provision is good

Staff work well together to create a welcoming environment in the large rooms. Staff know what they want children to learn, the activities they will provide and how they can support children's learning. Attentive, caring staff are good role models. They use positive behaviour management strategies and provide clear explanations of their expectations. Children behave very well, play cooperatively and are learning to share.

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need to do better?

n The dedicated manager and committed owner provide very good support. They consider the well-being of staff and take steps to avoid unnecessary burdens. There is a strong team ethos and a shared vision for continual improvement. n Children with additional needs receive very good support. The manager and staff are very knowledgeable. They work closely with parents and other professionals to provide targeted interventions to help children to achieve their full potential. n Partnership with parents is strong. Staff use an online system of communication well to inform parents about children's care and development. Staff provide parents with ideas to try at home to further extend their children's learning. Parents report they are very happy with the progress their child makes. They are pleased to be attending a 'parents evening' to talk to their child's key person and spend time inside the nursery. n Management and room leaders are developing the curriculum, and understand

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need to do better?

what they want children to learn. However, some staff do not fully understand how to put leaders' thinking into practice. As a result, the most-able pre-school children are not challenged enough. For example, some pre-school children spend more time in their own initiated play and are not routinely engaged in quality conversations with staff. n Generally, children develop a love of books. They thoroughly enjoy listening to stories. Children use the lending library to take books home to share with their

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need to do better?

23 June 2022 parents. However, staff do not routinely provide pre-school children with books to enjoy outside. n Staff support children to learn about leading a healthy lifestyle. The experienced cook provides nutritious meals. The nursery keenly takes part in a national supervised toothbrushing programme. Children enjoy walks to local parks and around the town. n Staff encourage children to be expressive and creative. For example, pre-school children delight in embellishing their painted pictures of aliens with sequins. They follow instructions well and show pride in their completed picture. n Skilled staff build on children's previous learning very well. For example, toddlers excitedly recall their painting of a rocket and are eager to add a picture of Earth to the wall display. One child happily exclaims, 'I live on that one.' They take turns sticking paper on the large circle shape. Staff support children to notice

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need to do better?

different shades of blue and green. This helps to extend children's vocabulary. n Staff know children and their families well and have considered the impact of recent pandemic restrictions on children's experiences. There is a clear focus on promoting children's personal, social and emotional development. For example, babies happily respond to staff's affectionate chat and singing. There are lots of happy smiles and laughter as they swirl the colourful scarves around and watch the bubbles float away.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Since the last inspection, there has been a strong focus on making improvements in safeguarding practice. Staff have completed training for child protection and wider safeguarding issues. Staff are confident in recognising when to act on the concerns about the well-being of children. They know the procedures for referring to external agencies. There are detailed policies and procedures in place. Staff's recruitment is robust. Staff complete risk assessments of the premises to identify and remove any hazards. As a result, they provide a safe environment in which children can learn.

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should:

n support staff to implement the curriculum, in particular to provide more challenge for the most-able pre-school children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY334284 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10234639 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 73 Number of children on roll 72 Name of registered person Sunflowers Day Nursery LLP

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reference number

Telephone number 01363 777020 Date of previous inspection 10 March 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Sunflowers Day Nursery registered in 2001 and re-registered under the present ownership in 2006. It is located near the centre of Crediton, in Devon. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm. There are 18 staff who work with the children. Of these, 14 hold a level 3 qualification or above in early years. The nursery also employs a cook and a cleaner. The nursery is in receipt of funding for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together to look at how staff plan the curriculum to meet children's needs and development. n The inspector spoke to parents to find out about their views on the care and education provided and took these into account. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. She spoke with the owner and

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Inspection activities

manager about the leadership and management of the setting.

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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

23 June 2022 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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