Echoes Childcare

Inspection of Echoes Childcare Signal House, Broadclyst Station, EXETER EX5 3AS

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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

Children arrive at nursery excited for their day. They explore their environment with ease and confidence, choosing activities that interest them. For example, they engage in water play, sensory activities, puzzles and role play.

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The provision is good

All children benefit from a broad curriculum. They enjoy a wide range of activities throughout the day. For example, they use manipulative skills as they play with spaghetti and dough. They also learn about the world around them and how to care for their environment, such as planting cress seeds. Children are happy, actively engaged and have a positive attitude to learning. All children make good progress.

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The provision is good

Staff know the children in their care well. They support them in achieving their next steps through planned activities and by engaging in their play. For example, staff help children to talk about their feelings and build friendships with others. Staff interactions are warm, caring and responsive. For example, they ask questions and talk to children about their experiences as they share stories. Children form positive relationships with staff and enjoy playing with their friends.

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need to do better?

n Leaders design an ambitious curriculum that supports children in preparing for the next steps in their education. For example, they plan for children to become 'brilliant bookworms', 'confident communicators' and 'active movers'. Staff in each of the rooms plan a range of activities to support children's development. For example, babies use their senses to explore sand and water, and older children practise physical skills as they climb on the outdoor equipment. However, staff do not always extend children's mathematical knowledge and thinking skills. n Staff model and support babies' communication skills by talking with them as they play. They introduce new words such as 'pop' as they play with bubbles. Staff ask older children questions and encourage them to share their experiences and ideas. For example, children enthusiastically talk about the models they have built. However, occasionally, staff do not widen children's

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need to do better?

vocabulary and language skills further to allow them to hear and use new words. n Children's personal, social and emotional development is highly valued. Staff manage transition times effectively, which they refer to as 'settles'. During these times, staff ensure that children feel emotionally secure when they first start nursery and as they move to new rooms. Staff use minor disputes as they arise to help children identify their feelings and begin to understand how their behaviour may affect others. Staff encourage children to share and take turns, which they willingly do. Children's behaviour is good. They are respectful of each

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need to do better?

17 July 2023 other and their environment. n Children have lots of opportunities to enjoy books and stories. In the baby room, staff use sleep pods to create cosy areas to share books with children. Children often choose to look at books, and staff read these in an engaging way, encouraging children to join in. In the pre-school room, staff link activities to chosen texts. They encourage children to make their own books and tell stories, supporting their early literacy skills. n Staff and leaders identify and support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). For example, they help children to develop their social skills and provide additional activities. Leaders are proactive in contacting external agencies to access further support. They use extra funding to meet individual needs. For example, they have increased staff ratios and purchased new resources. Children with SEND make good progress from their starting

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need to do better?

points. n Leaders are very reflective and regularly evaluate the quality of their service. They identify areas that could be improved, for example developing the outdoor area to meet the needs of children following the COVID-19 pandemic. Leaders provide additional support to staff through training and mentoring as needed. Staff comment that they feel valued and supported.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff receive appropriate safeguarding training. Managers and staff understand their role and responsibilities in keeping children safe. Staff provide a safe and secure environment in which children can learn. Staff carry out risk assessments and act on their findings. They know and recognise signs and symptoms that may mean a child is at risk of harm. They know how to refer concerns about children or allegations about staff to relevant external agencies.

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should:

n further extend children's language and thinking skills through planned and child- initiated activities n review the curriculum for early mathematics to build on what older children already know and can do, to further enhance their mathematical knowledge.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY476557 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10302231 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 96 Number of children on roll 180 Name of registered person Echoes Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01392 460605 Date of previous inspection 10 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Echoes Childcare registered in 2014. The setting operates in Broadclyst Station, Devon. It is open from 7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. It is closed between Christmas and New Year and on bank holidays. The setting receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 33 members of staff. One member of staff holds a qualification at level 6, two members of staff hold qualifications at level 4 and 16 members of staff are qualified to level 3.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors Rebecca Hayday Michelle Heimsoth

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager, deputy manager and an inspector completed a learning walk of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspectors observed the quality of education in each of the rooms and outdoors and spoke to members of staff and children. n Managers and inspectors carried out joint observations of planting and water play activities. n An inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager 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

17 July 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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