Pinecones Nursery School

Inspection of Pinecones Nursery School Unit 5, Kingsdown Business Park, Salcombe Regis, Sidmouth EX10 0PD

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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 are happy and settled in the care of the friendly and caring staff. Children benefit from a wide and varied curriculum. They thoroughly enjoy activities which are based on their interests and next steps in learning. Children are enthusiastic and excited to explore, whether they are building towers with blocks or baking play-dough cakes in the 'oven'. Children make independent choices in their play inside and outside. They develop good physical skills. They climb and negotiate pathways as they ride on wheeled vehicles, benefiting from fresh air and exercise.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. Staff have high expectations of the children and help them to develop a good understanding of right and wrong and make good choices. Children learn many skills in preparation for their future learning and starting school. They develop their fine-motor skills as they make marks with a range of materials, learning how to hold a pencil in preparation for writing. They hear a wide range of words, which helps to build their vocabulary and understanding successfully.

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The provision is good

Although parents do not currently come into the setting, staff greet each family individually at the door and share information with parents, which helps them to feel involved in their child's learning.

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need to do better?

n Staff know the children well and have high expectations of their learning. Younger children receive cuddles and reassurance from staff as they explore the environment. Older children confidently explore the natural environment outside and demonstrate their good knowledge about the world and nature. For example, they recall finding a frog in the garden. They learn how woodlice live in damp, dark places and can be found hiding under logs. Children excitedly talk about how the female woodlouse carries her babies in a pouch under her body. n Babies and toddlers excitedly explore using their senses. They wriggle around, exploring different-sized balls to see which ones bounce. They practise throwing and catching, developing good hand-to-eye coordination. Staff introduce words such as 'spiky', 'shiny' and 'squishy' to build on children's vocabulary and understanding. Staff use sign language with all children when talking to them

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need to do better?

and singing to further support their communication and language. n Children have a wide range of opportunities to try out their ideas and develop good imagination. They play outside, creating potions or cooking in the mud kitchen. They make 'chocolate coffee' and 'mud pies', which they share with one another and staff. They build obstacle courses with mats and low-level furniture to practise their climbing and balancing skills. Children take part in yoga, which teaches them to relax and supports their well-being successfully. n Children enjoy a good balance of child-initiated play and adult-led activities.

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need to do better?

24 August 2022 They concentrate well in small-group activities and display familiarity with books and stories. They join in with phrases, acting out and retelling parts of a story. However, staff do not consistently organise whole-group activities as effectively as they could, to support all children to participate fully or focus for longer periods. n Staff count the steps with the babies as they go into the kitchen for a snack. Older children count how many cups are needed at lunchtime. However, overall, children do not have many opportunities to count and use numbers in activities. n Since the last inspection, the provider has improved the support and coaching provided for staff and monitors how effectively they engage with and support children. Furthermore, staff are more consistent in the way that they share information between them to help children make good progress. n Children of all ages show a good understanding of the need to follow thorough

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need to do better?

hygiene practices. They each use a 'cheeky wipe' and use a mirror to ensure that they clean their faces thoroughly after mealtimes. Through discussion, staff support children's understanding of healthy eating well. n Children's behaviour is good. They follow the good example set by staff and are kind and respectful to one another. They take turns well, for example when playing a game or choosing a story. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents are confident on how the staff have supported their children to develop skills in readiness for school, such as holding a pencil and beginning to form recognisable letters. Parents confirm how their children's confidence and independence have grown since starting at the nursery.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have good knowledge of child protection issues and are aware of safeguarding procedures should they have a concern about a child in their care. Since the last inspection, the manager and staff have updated their safeguarding knowledge, including how to recognise when children may become subject to extreme or radical views for example. Staff know the action to take should they become concerned about the conduct of a colleague. Staff ensure that they provide a safe and secure environment and give children gentle reminders, when necessary, about how to stay safe as they play.

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should:

n support staff to develop further strategies to engage children more consistently in whole-group activities n provide more opportunities for children to count and use numbers.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY551114 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10232998 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 36 Number of children on roll 56 Name of registered person Pinecones Nursery School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01297680587 Date of previous inspection 24 February 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Pinecones Nursery School registered in 2017. It is a privately owned nursery, situated in Salcombe Regis, Devon. The nursery is open on weekdays from 8am to 5pm, all year round, except for two weeks at Christmas, one week at Easter and one week in the summer. There are 13 members of staff. Of these, one holds qualified teacher status, two are qualified teachers, one holds a qualification at level 6, seven hold a qualification at level 3, and two are unqualified. The nursery receives funding for the provision for early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The deputy manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. 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 a group activity with the deputy manager. n The inspector spoke to children and staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke to parents. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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 August 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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