Sticklebricks Pre-School

Inspection of Sticklebricks Pre-School 1 & 2 Woodville, Crosslands, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 2HJ

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

Children are happy at the pre-school and enjoy playing with their friends and the staff. The staff work hard to build relationships with children and parents. They welcome children as they arrive and smile and laugh with them as they play. This helps children feel safe and confident in the pre-school.

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The provision requires improvement

Children are independent. For example, at snack time, they take it in turns to prepare snacks for their friends. They wipe down tables, collect crockery and carry plates of food to the table. During snack, they serve themselves, and both older and younger children pour their own drinks. Children are independent in their play and move around the setting confidently selecting activities. However, staff do not consistently use information on what children can do to ensure they plan appropriate and challenging activities. This means that the curriculum is not ambitious for all children, and they do not make as much progress from their starting points as they should.

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The provision requires improvement

Children learn about the world around them. They enjoy monthly outings in the local area that builds on their understanding of the world they live in. For example, children travel on the local bus and explore the woods nearby.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff do not consistently set challenging targets for children, and do not make enough use of additional funding for children to close gaps in their learning and development. Children are not always challenged sufficiently and, at times, they become bored and display unwanted behaviour. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and funded children, are not always ready for the next stages in their development, including starting school. n The provider does not support the manager well enough. She does not effectively monitor the quality of education and care in the setting and provide sufficient supervision for the manager. As a result, improvements in the quality of teaching are not as effective as they could be. n Staff support children to make healthy choices and lead healthy lifestyles. They sit alongside children at mealtimes and encourage talk about healthy foods. This

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need to do better?

supports children's healthy eating habits. n Parents comment positively about the nursery. The manager and staff ask for information about children before they start at the setting. They plan activities that the children enjoy and meet their care needs as soon as they start. Staff continue to share regular information with parents about their child's care and development. The manager actively supports parents. For example, she helps parents access funding and apply for school places when they do not have a computer.

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need to do better?

11 November 2022 n Children celebrate the cultures of the children who attend the setting. For example, parents share their experience of Diwali and children try foods that are significant during this festival. This develops their understanding of equality, diversity and respect for others. n Staff manage transitions in the day well. They give two-minute warnings to prepare the children. This lets them know that it will be time to stop and move on to the next activity. Therefore, children know what is expected of them and transition times are positive and calm. n Staff support the children's mathematical development well. They take opportunities to encourage children to count, compare sizes and look at shapes. For example, they use play dough cutters to demonstrate 'big' and 'small'. Children enjoy these interactions and secure their knowledge by copying what they have seen. They show excitement at this new knowledge and ask staff to

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need to do better?

look at what they have achieved. n Staff support children's communication and social skills. This has been a focus due to an increased number of children with gaps in this area after COVID-19. For example, staff get down to the child's level, make eye contact and encourage children to look at people when they are speaking, or being spoken to. As a result, children are confident to tell adults what they want and interact with others while they play.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding is effective. The manager ensures that new recruits are suitable to work with children and carries out appropriate checks on the ongoing suitability of existing staff. She conducts regular meetings to ensure staff's knowledge and understanding of safeguarding are relevant and up to date. The manager and staff have a good knowledge of safeguarding and child protection issues. They know who to approach in the event of a concern. They closely supervise children and provide a secure environment to ensure children remain safe. Staff's well-being is important to the manager. They feel well supported by her and enjoy their time in the pre-school.

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Due date

implement an ambitious curriculum to provide challenge and better progress for all children. 23/12/2022

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should:

n ensure that interventions are put in place more promptly and adapted if needed for children with additional needs, to close gaps in their learning and development n improve the monitoring and support for the manager to ensure that she is able to continually develop the quality of teaching and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 106379 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10234050 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 26 Number of children on roll 60 Name of registered person Jones, Sharlene Adell

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reference number

Telephone number 01271 343 967 Date of previous inspection 1 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Sticklebricks Pre-school registered in 2000. It is located in Barnstaple, Devon. The pre-school is open each weekday from 7am to 6pm. There are four members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 6. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. Out-of-school care is available for children up to the age of 11 years.

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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 inspector observed the staff's interactions with the children, indoors and outdoors, and the impact of these on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Discussions were held with the manager, staff and nominated person during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including checking evidence of the suitability of the staff. n The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff and children at

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Inspection activities

appropriate times during the inspection. She held a short meeting with the manager to discuss aspects of leadership and management.

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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

11 November 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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