Inquisitive Minds Pre-school and Day Nursery

Inspection of Inquisitive Minds Pre- school and Day Nursery Trinity Hall, Victoria Road, Swindon, Wiltshire SN1 3AL

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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 clearly feel safe, secure and comfortable in the nursery. They are keen to engage with staff, who respond warmly, building secure relationships. Children behave well and show care and consideration to others. For example, when a child notices another child has fallen over, they immediately give the child a cuddle and reassure them alongside the member of staff. Staff have high expectations for the children to achieve. The curriculum is tailored to children's individual needs and interests. Staff encourage children to 'have a go' and the children respond well, persevering until they master a new skill, such as following a line of stepping stones without falling off.

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The provision is good

Children with additional needs are particularly well supported. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) and management team have a secure knowledge of child development and the various systems that offer support. This enables nursery staff to secure additional funding to specifically target areas of development and provide individual tailored support. Consequently, children make good progress given their starting points.

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The provision is good

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the setting adopted a system for parents dropping off children at the door and they feel that this is effective. Parents report that staff maintain strong relationships, and they particularly like the online system which allows them to receive updates throughout the day. Parents state that their children are making good progress and they feel this is down to the dedicated staff.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit from healthy, nutritious meals and lots of opportunities to exercise and move their bodies in different ways. Staff encourage children to suggest ways to move, such as pretending to be butterflies, as they move around the outdoor area. Children are beginning to recognise the importance of oral health. Staff use resources to encourage children to learn how to keep their teeth healthy and encourage regular tooth brushing. n In general, the quality of teaching is good. Staff know the children well and p;an for the next steps in their learning effectively. Staff use children's individual needs and interests to make sure activities and learning opportunities are relevant to each child. For example, babies show interest in animals, and staff provide different types of animals and their environments to help the children to make good progress. Older children enjoy planting herbs and talking about what

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need to do better?

seeds need to help them grow into healthy plants. Each child has the opportunity to plant their own and take them home to observe them growing. On the odd occasion, teaching is not consistently good. For example, during

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need to do better?

24 August 2022 story time and singing sessions, some children lose interest and become distracted. n Staff build positive relationships with parents. They use various methods to keep parents fully informed about their child's time in the nursery. Parents use the online system to contribute about what their children are doing at home, and this gives staff an accurate picture of the child's progress at home and in the nursery. n Management and staff have recognised the impact the pandemic has had on children's speech and language and their personal, social and emotional development. They have targeted these areas particularly with children aged two to three years to help them catch up. Staff sing lots of rhymes and read a wide variety of stories to help children progress in these areas. The children work in small and large groups to develop their confidence and socialisation skills. n Staff report that they are particularly well supported by the exceptionally caring

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need to do better?

and passionate management team. They have excellent opportunities for their continued professional development, and the majority of staff are trained to a high level. Managers consistently consider staff well-being and have regular meetings to give staff the opportunity to talk about anything both professional and personal. Consequently, they retain staff who feel valued and respected. n Children's behaviour throughout the nursery is good. Babies learn to share and take turns, supported by the nurturing staff. Older children independently use sand timers, which allows them to negotiate when it is their turn. Children actively tidy up and show high levels of independence. For example, after lunch, they wash their own plates and cutlery.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

This management and staff have a good understanding of safeguarding children and their families. There are policies and procedures in place which are implemented in the event of a concern about a child's welfare. Managers have effective procedures in place, such as regular quizzes and discussions with staff, to make sure their knowledge is up to date. There are good recruitment and vetting procedures and induction systems to ensure staff are suitable for their roles and responsibilities. There are risk assessments in place and staff support children in learning how to take controlled risks safely in the environment. However, on occasions, staff identify a risk, such as a broken piece of equipment, but this is not removed swiftly to address the risk.

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should:

24 August 2022 n develop the quality of teaching to make sure it is consistent across all areas of nursery n review risk assessment systems to make sure any damaged equipment is removed swiftly.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2553309 Local authority Swindon Inspection number 10237796 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 130 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Tips4choices CIC

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reference number

Telephone number 07931395615 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Inquisitive Minds Pre-school and Day Nursery registered in 2019 and operates from Trinity Hall in Swindon. The setting operates Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm. A team of 16 staff work directly with the children, 14 of whom are qualified to at least level 3. The setting follows the Montessori ethos.

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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 management and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager and the inspector observed an activity together and completed a learning walk where they reflected on the quality of teaching and learning and the curriculum on offer. n The inspector spoke to parents to gain their views. n The inspector spoke to staff, children and the SENCo at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector reviewed documentation such as staff information, training and information shared with parents through their online system. n The inspectors spoke with the managers to establish how they monitor and evaluate the provision.

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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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