Puffins Nursery

Inspection of Puffins Nursery 13 Mont le Grand, Exeter EX1 2PD

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Staff warmly welcome all children into the nursery. Children settle quickly at their self-chosen activities. Staff support children in their play by demonstrating different skills. For example, the staff fill beakers with dry sand or help children to measure ingredients to make play dough.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy a wide range of activities through the day to support their learning. For example, children enjoy painting with brushes and conkers and build with wooden bricks. Each room has a cosy reading area and children often read stories and sing songs with staff. Outside, children confidently climb and balance on equipment. They enjoy sensory play, such as exploring cooked spaghetti.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy visits to the local area to learn more about the world beyond nursery. For example, children walk to the postbox to post letters and explore natural objects on the green nearby. Pre-school children also take part in a 'mini- explorer' programme. This aims to build children's knowledge and appreciation of the natural world.

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The provision is good

Staff support children's independence. For example, they encourage children to select the resources that they need and serve their own food at lunchtime. Children form good relationships with staff and feel safe. They explore their environment with confidence. Children behave well and are engaged in their learning. Staff set high expectations for all children, and they make good progress.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan a range of activities based on children's interests. For example, toddlers and babies explore creative techniques using conkers they found on the nearby green. In the pre-school children learn new vocabulary and develop mark-making skills based on their interest in aliens. Children are actively engaged in their learning. n Staff actively support children's learning through play. For example, while children are at the water tray, staff encourage them to look closely and talk about what they notice. Staff encourage children to share their ideas and to problem solve while building with plastic and wooden bricks. However, sometimes staff miss opportunities to extend children's learning further. n Staff complete effective assessments of children's learning. They know children well and identify and support the next steps in their development. For example, staff use children's favourite activities to support language development and

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need to do better?

concepts, such as shape and colour. Children make good progress. However, sometimes staff leave children at independent activities for too long. When this occurs, children would benefit from additional staff direction or interaction.

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need to do better?

27 September 2022 n Staff are sensitive to, and respectful of, children's ideas and choices. Staff often ask children, 'What would you like do?' Staff offer alternative activities to children when they do not wish to join in. For example, staff ask children if they would prefer to read a story rather than sing songs or play with construction toys. Children are confident to express their opinions and are respectful of each other. n Staff encourage children to be independent. Children choose activities that interest them and make their own beds at nap time. Children are confident and resourceful. n Children's communication and language skills are good. Staff model language well. They engage in conversations with children, listen attentively and respond to them. Staff use sign language to support communication with children under three. Staff read stories using different voices and encourage children to join in

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need to do better?

with animal sounds. Children often choose to look at books independently. Older children confidently engage in conversations with adults and peers. However, sometimes staff miss opportunities to extend language even further. n Staff and leaders are quick to identify children with possible special educational needs and/or disabilities, including speech and language delay. Staff offer these children targeted support as needed. Leaders are proactive in contacting external agencies to access further support. They use extra funding to meet children's individual needs. For example, to meet the needs of children, staff developed a sensory room while other children attended extra sessions. n Parents are happy with the education and care the nursery offers to their children. They receive developmental reports each term. Staff post updates and photographs daily using the nursery's app. Parents feel well informed about life

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need to do better?

at the nursery and their child's development. They are happy with the progress their children make. n Staff prepare children for the next stage of their education. They contact schools that children will attend to support their transition. Leaders manage this particularly well for vulnerable children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff provide a safe and secure environment in which children can learn. All staff receive appropriate safeguarding training and know what to do if they suspect that a child is at risk of harm. They know the relevant person to report concerns to and how to escalate this outside of the organisation. Staff teach children how to keep themselves safe. For example, staff remind children how to move around the nursery safely, how to use outdoor equipment and how to wash their hands.

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should:

27 September 2022 n monitor and coach staff to ensure that effective practice is consistent, and that staff self-deploy to prevent learning opportunities being missed.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY300251 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10234898 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 40 Number of children on roll 53 Name of registered person Puffins of Exeter Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01392 496017 Date of previous inspection 24 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Puffins Nursery registered in 2004 and is situated in the residential area of Heavitree, near to the city centre of Exeter. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. It receives funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four. The nursery employs 13 staff to work with the children. Of these, one holds a level 6 qualification, one holds a level 5 qualification, four hold a level 3 qualification, six hold a level 2 qualification and one is unqualified.

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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 the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager, one of the directors and the inspector completed a learning walk of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education in each of the rooms and outdoors and spoke to members of staff and children. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation of a phonics and singing activity. n The inspector spoke to parents to gain their views. n The nominated individual showed the inspector relevant documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

27 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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