Little Squirrels Pre-School

Inspection of Little Squirrels Pre- School Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Ashburton Road, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9BY

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children enter the pre-school happily and confidently. Staff greet each child individually and provide them with a warm hug. They encourage children to share their experiences and photos from home, and staff listen attentively. Staff plan the curriculum well and incorporate children's interests and needs to support children's learning. For instance, children skilfully retell the story of 'The Three Little Pigs' outside using props such as real straw and foam bricks. They introduce the new vocabulary they have learned into their play, such as 'cement', as they work together to build the brick house from the story.

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The provision is good

Children behave exceptionally well. They spontaneously nominate their peers for their acts of kindness. Children then place a painted handprint onto the 'kindness tree', where everyone celebrates their achievements. Staff support children's personal and emotional skills exceptionally well. They use additional funding to attend training to support children in this area of learning. For example, staff use novel ideas to help support children's awareness and understanding of feelings. Children relate extremely well to 'Harry the Hedgehog' when they talk about why Harry may be feeling sad, happy, angry or excited. They link these feelings well to their own emotions and learn how to manage these effectively.

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need to do better?

n Children have a highly positive attitude to learning and persevere in all that they do. Younger children learn how to use wooden pegs to hang dolls' clothes onto the toy washing line. They watch staff attentively as they skilfully model this task and then encourage children to manipulate the peg independently in different ways until they succeed. n The pre-school has strong links with other professionals in the community. Staff invite a variety of specialists to share their knowledge with the children. For instance, children learn about the importance of bees and how to make beeswax candles. Bilingual teachers support children in learning different languages, and animal experts bring in a variety of mammals and insects to develop children's knowledge of the natural world. n Children enjoy whole-group times with their peers. Staff encourage children to talk about what they have learned during the session, and children confidently

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need to do better?

share their views via a voting system. At times, there is lots of background noise, such as the movement of tables as other staff set up for lunch. This sometimes distracts the children from learning, and occasionally they become disengaged. n Staff read plenty of stories to children during the day. They also encourage children to take books home to support their early reading skills. Staff and children talk about the pictures, such as nocturnal animals and different animal

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need to do better?

20 September 2023 families. Staff help children to think about their own families and how each one is unique. Additionally, staff ensure children from military backgrounds have additional support to help them feel secure when loved ones are away. n Children enjoy contributing to the pre-school's large 'floor book' where they add their own writing and drawings about what they have learned, such as their favourite tales or times of the year. Children also use their skills during their play, such as attempting to write the letters in their name or making pictures using stencils. However, occasionally, not all staff model and help children to use writing tools effectively to further improve their literacy skills. n Staff ensure children feel prepared for their move to school. They liaise well with headteachers and discuss how to improve children's mathematics, for example. Staff provide school uniforms in the role-play area for children to dress up in.

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need to do better?

Additionally, they make specific books linked to each local school filled with photos of teaching staff and the classroom environment. Children feel confident and secure in moving on to formal education. n Parents comment on the highly supportive staff and how well their child has settled into pre-school. They talk about how staff communication is excellent and how they consistently keep them informed about their child's progress. Parents state that staff have a wonderful manner, provide a nurturing, safe environment and personalised support for their child. n Staff embrace children's heritage and cultural backgrounds. For instance, they use key words in additional languages alongside English. Children repeat words in French, such as 'cochon' for 'pig' and 'poisson' for 'fish' when talking about different animals.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and staff have a comprehensive understanding of child protection. They have a secure knowledge of the relevant policies and procedures and how to report any concerns they may have about a child or a colleague where necessary. Staff ensure the premises are secure by keeping doors locked to prevent any unauthorised visitors from entering. Children develop an awareness of safety. They understand about using 'walking feet' inside to prevent trips. Staff encourage children to roll hard toys across the floor and to only play 'catch' with soft resources to avoid potential injuries.

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should:

n organise whole-group times more effectively, minimising distractions to help children remain consistently engaged in learning n consistently model and support children in using mark-making tools to further

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should:

20 September 2023 enhance their early writing skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2646272 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10305519 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Little Squirrels Pre-School Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07734303556 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Squirrels Pre-School registered in 2021. It operates from a community hall in the village of Bovey Tracey, in Devon. The pre-school opens from 9am to 3pm on weekdays during school term times. The pre-school provides free early education funding for children aged two, three and four years. There are eight members of staff, two of whom hold a degree-level qualification in early years. Four staff members hold qualifications at level 3, one is an apprentice training for a level 3 qualification and one member of staff is unqualified.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the pre-school 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 viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n Leaders and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at pre-school. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Leaders provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity outdoors with

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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

20 September 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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