The Woodlands Nursery

Inspection of The Woodlands Nursery ST Austins Priory, Cadleigh, Nr Ivybridge, Devon PL21 9HW

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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 arrive, eager to enjoy the wide variety of interesting activities that awaits them in this welcoming nursery. Staff get to know children extremely well during comprehensive and sensitive settling-in procedures. They form strong and caring attachments with babies, who reach out to staff for a cuddle as soon as they arrive. Staff are kind and considerate to children, which supports children to behave well. For example, older children happily help each other to find their water bottles when they need a drink in the warm weather.

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The provision is good

The manager and staff create a child-centred curriculum. They work very closely with parents to identify children's particular interests and needs. This helps them to successfully build on children's achievements through activities that inspire their learning.

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The provision is good

Children benefit enormously from daily opportunities to learn about the natural world around them. For example, children are captivated while watching birds and squirrels outdoors. They whisper, 'Wow!', as staff encourage them to quietly notice the different feeding habits of the squirrels and the birds in a nest. Children enjoy daily fresh air and exercise. They show a positive attitude to learning as they climb and balance with determination to extend their physical skills.

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need to do better?

n Parents speak very highly of the nursery. They comment favourably about the kind and caring staff and say that their children are making good progress. Parents feel fully involved in children's learning and appreciate advice about different aspects of supporting their child, such as weaning and toilet training. There is an effective two-way flow of information that promotes consistency and extends children's learning and development n The manager is passionate about her role and highly ambitious for the future of the nursery. She leads a dedicated staff team and, together, they regularly reflect on the service they provide for families. Staff say they are happy to work at the setting and feel well supported by the management team. Most of the staff are relatively new to their roles in the nursery and are enthusiastic about developing their skills further. The manager recognises the need to extend professional development opportunities for staff to raise the standard of

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need to do better?

teaching to an even higher level. n Staff provide good support for children's speech and language development. For example, babies babble and begin to copy staff as they make sounds with their voices during play. Staff are very responsive and encourage their communication with laughter and fun. Older children are confident communicators. They are happy to explain what they like doing in the nursery to visitors and use an ever-

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need to do better?

15 June 2023 widening vocabulary. n Throughout the nursery, staff demonstrate a good understanding of child development. Babies smile with delight as staff playfully encourage them to enjoy a range of sensory experiences. Older children gain good mathematical skills as they count the number of legs on a beetle they spot in the grass. During some adult-led activities, however, staff do not give children time to express their own thoughts and ideas to deepen their engagement and extend their learning further. n The manager and staff monitor children's development thoroughly. They talk to parents when children first attend to establish children's interests and achievements. Staff continually observe children so that they can provide appropriate and timely support if there are any gaps in their learning. They work with other professionals effectively to ensure that all children reach their full potential. n Children become increasingly independent under the gentle guidance of the

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need to do better?

staff. They become motivated learners. For example, older children eagerly and competently chop strawberries to make delicious milkshakes. They show great pride as staff praise their efforts. Children go on to their future education with confidence and self-assurance. Partnerships with local schools are developing and are effective in helping children to become familiar with school life.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The management team recruits staff safely to ensure that they are suitable to work with children. There is a thorough induction procedure, and all staff attend safeguarding training. They are aware of the signs and symptoms that might indicate a child is at risk of harm. Staff have a firm understanding of local safeguarding procedures. Robust risk assessments are effective in keeping children safe and secure. Staff regularly review the premises for potential hazards and teach children to play in safety.

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should:

n support staff to develop interactions with children further during adult-led activities to allow children time to explore and follow their own thoughts and ideas

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2643680 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10291742 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 30 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Pml Education Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01752 894737 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Woodlands Nursery registered in 2020 and is situated near Ivybridge, Devon. The nursery is open all year round, Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm. It recieves funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are five staff who work with the children. They all hold appropriate early years qualifications and the manager has a degree in early years education.

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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 joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual and the manager about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector carried out joint observations of activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability

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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

15 June 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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