Pitter Patter Playhouse

Inspection of Pitter Patter Playhouse The Exchange, Four Turnings, Feock, Cornwall TR3 6QR

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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 love attending this small and very friendly nursery. Staff are caring and build secure relationships with children and their families. Children enjoy a variety of activities and experiences that support their learning and development. Staff cater to babies and young children's individual routines very well. The indoor environment is enhanced with photographs of family members, fairy lights and hanging twig mobiles to provide a homely and calm atmosphere. Staff support children to learn to share and to play happily together. They remind children to take extra care when babies are close by. Children show high levels of respect for one another, and their behaviour is very good.

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The provision is good

Outdoor play is an integral part of children's experiences. They thoroughly enjoy their time in the well-designed garden. Children develop their physical skills and confidence as they climb up a ladder to the 'tree house' and excitedly use the slide down. Staff provide very good guidance to help children decide where to place wooden planks across tyres and rubber supports to make a challenging assault course. Children are keen to have a go and show increasing competence in their balance and jumping skills. Children are taken on regular outings to explore local woods, beaches and farms. They develop confidence in water during their weekly visits to a small private swimming pool.

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need to do better?

n The two owners are passionate and dedicated to providing a fun environment where children can learn and thrive. They have made improvements since the last inspection and continue to be reflective in their work. n Partnerships with parents are a strength. Parents speak highly of the progress their children make. They are very happy about the extra experiences the children enjoy, such as time in a swimming pool and trips to local woods, beaches and farms. Parents are very pleased with the information shared when they attend the nursery and through the online system. n There is a strong focus on supporting children's independence. Babies are encouraged to feed themselves and to explore the environment with increasing confidence. Staff offer lots of praise to young children, who are keen to dress themselves before going outside. This helps children to build resilience and have a positive, can-do attitude.

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need to do better?

n Staff regularly read stories to children and talk about what children are doing as they play. They encourage children to sing a wide variety of songs and nursery rhymes. However, on some occasions, staff do not ask enough open-ended questions and do not routinely repeat words for children to hear their correct pronunciation. As a result, some children do not receive sufficient support to become confident communicators.

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need to do better?

9 February 2023 n Staff regularly monitor children's progress and consider how best to implement their curriculum through planned interesting activities and challenging play experiences. However, staff do not use all opportunities to help children to count and compare sizes. As a result, children are not fully secure to use numbers and simple mathematical language as they play. n Staff plan an exciting curriculum and provide a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. For example, in the garden, staff support babies to stand beside the utility mixing play tray table to allow them to explore the water and mud with their fingers. Babies show delight during this sensory play. Young children decide they would like to build a wall. Staff help children to think critically and problem solve as they stack foam bricks together and add sand, stones and mud to their constructions. There is lots of laughter when the wall

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need to do better?

falls down. n Children are provided with a nutritious cooked midday meal and regular healthy snacks. They enjoy friendly social times as they sit around the large dining table together. Staff encourage children to have good manners and teach them how to use sign language for 'thank you'. n The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) identifies children who may benefit from additional support. She acts promptly to liaise with parents and other professionals. Staff place a high priority on supporting children's emotional well-being. They help children to identify and manage their feelings.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Since the last inspection, appropriate improvements have been made to safeguarding procedures. Additional training has been attended, and amendments have been made to some recording systems. Staff have a good knowledge of all aspects of safeguarding. They are confident about recognising the signs that may suggest a child is at risk of harm. They know who to contact and the procedures to follow. Children learn about keeping themselves safe. For example, staff sensitively remind children not to put toys in their mouth and to show kindness to others in their play. Staff take extra precautions while on outings. They correctly identify steps to be taken to remove, minimise and manage risks and hazards. This helps children to learn and play safely in different environments.

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should:

n strengthen interactions with children to encourage discussion and help them to build up awareness and recognition of letter sounds to become confident communicators n further develop the curriculum, to provide more opportunities for children to

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should:

9 February 2023 count and compare size, helping them to be more secure in their use of number and simple mathematical language as they play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2602395 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 10262412 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 12 Number of children on roll 9 Name of registered person Pitter Patter Playhouse Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 07596280500 Date of previous inspection 18 October 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Pitter Patter Playhouse registered in September 2020. It operates in Feock, which is situated near Truro, Cornwall. It is open from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for public holidays and a two week break at Christmas. There are two staff members who hold a level 4 qualification, and one member of staff holds a level 3 qualification.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector and managers completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector looked at a range of documents, including some relating to the suitability of staff. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector and manager completed a joint observation of teaching activities to review the quality of education. n The inspector spoke to parents and looked at written feedback provided to get their views about the setting.

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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

9 February 2023 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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