Children Of Towan

Inspection of Children Of Towan Porthtowan Village Hall, Beach Road, Porthtowan, Truro, Cornwall TR4 8AD

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children and their families receive a warm welcome into the pre-school. The dedicated staff team work well together to set out an inviting range of activities in the large hall. Staff carefully consider each child's interests to plan an exciting curriculum. For example, children are keen to build paths with large wooden blocks of different sizes and shapes, and excitedly run along their construction. This helps to develop children's gross- and fine-motor skills and refine their hand-to-eye coordination. Staff skilfully support them to think about different designs to add more challenge. Children plan and negotiate about the structure and take turns to join in. There is lots of laughter as children enjoy the activity.

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their regular visits to the beach. They look at the safety notice board to read how many lifeguards are present. They excitedly jump into big holes in the sand and find stones to place in a large circle. Staff help children to learn about sea pollution. For example, children listen intensely to a story about a whale mistakenly eating plastic bags. They carefully look for plastic nurdles in the sand and give them to a staff member. Children are kind and respectful to each other. Their behaviour is excellent.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, staff have attended many training courses. Staff keenly talk about and share their observations and accurate assessments to plan and adapt their curriculum effectively. Staff are proud of the improvements they have made to their teaching, range of resources and the environment. For example, children's natural curiosity to explore and experiment is successfully enhanced by the changes made to the outdoor learning area. Children make bug hotels and are fascinated by the summer inhabitants of hoverflies and their larvae. They learn how to be kind to living things. Children happily pour water down funnels and watch with excitement as it travels along gutters and down into buckets. They show delight as they discover how more water results in a louder splash. n The pre-school manager/owner provides good leadership. He works well with his team and supports them to be reflective about their role and responsibilities.

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need to do better?

However, occasionally, children do not receive sufficient support to help them to learn how to manage their personal needs, such as dressing to be ready to play outside. There is limited staff direction and deployment. This results in children waiting too long and not being involved in purposeful play. n There is a good focus on developing children's communication and language skills. In particular, staff engage children very well in dialogue. They encourage children to express their thoughts and model language well. However, at times, staff do not choose the right storybook for the younger children and do not fully

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need to do better?

22 September 2022 explain how their chosen prop relates to the story. As a result, children are not fully engaged, do not know how to join in with repeated phrases or how to use their animal prop to enrich the experience. n Staff successfully support children to foster an understanding and respect for people and communities beyond their own. For example, during a walk to the beach, children show great interest in the different characteristics of snails they see on the stone walls. Staff expertly use the opportunity to recognise and celebrate differences for children to understand. They talk about different skin and hair colours and explain no one is better or deserves more because of the way they look. This helps children to appreciate diversity and to develop a positive sense of self. n Relationships with parents are a particular strength at this pre-school. Parents feel well informed and involved in their children's learning. Daily discussions and

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need to do better?

use of digital communication keep parents up to date about their children's progress. Parents comment positively on the commitment of the manager/owner and his staff team to provide a friendly and welcoming environment.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff have completed safeguarding training and fully understand their responsibilities. They have regular meetings to talk about any concerns and keep accurate records. Staff are confident in identifying the signs and symptoms of abuse and know where to go for help. Robust recruitment arrangements ensure staff are suitable to work with children. Staff complete comprehensive risk assessment to make sure the premises are safe and secure, inside and out. Staff provide good guidance about road safety and children behave well, listening and watching for traffic. Children show they understand why they must follow rules. For example, when playing on the beach, they know the safe areas to use.

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should:

n provide further support to help children learn how to manage their personal needs, such as dressing to be ready to play outside n enhance opportunities for young children to enjoy and develop their communication and language skills, while looking at books and listening to stories.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2527283 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 10213200 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Children Of Towan Preschool Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01209 890627 Date of previous inspection 13 October 2021

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Information about this early years setting

Children Of Towan registered in 2019 and is based in Towan, Cornwall. The pre- school opens from 9am to 3pm each weekday, during term times. There are four members of staff employed to work with children, including the provider/manager, three of whom hold relevant qualifications at level 3 and above. The pre-school 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 COVID-19 pandemic and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager discussed with the inspector how the setting organises and plans the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact on children's learning. The manager and the inspector evaluated an activity together. n The inspector viewed some documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff and training certificates. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

22 September 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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