Southernwood Nursery

Inspection of Southernwood Nursery Greenway Road, TORQUAY TQ2 6JE

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children settle quickly in this friendly and welcoming nursery. Nurturing staff greet families warmly and establish any information they need to share. Staff encourage children to bring in photos from home and talk about their experiences to support their language skills and self-esteem. Children learn about the rules of the nursery, such as using 'kind hands and words'. Children and staff hug one another and sing, 'Have a wonderful day, enjoy and play.'

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The provision is good

The nursery ethos encourages children to be positive learners in a safe environment where they can flourish. Staff plan the curriculum around this vision to help children make good progress, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who learn English as an additional language. Staff use specific strategies to help children understand what will happen now and what comes next, which aids children when moving from one activity to another. Children learn about emotions and how to verbalise how they are feeling to help them stay calm.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and follow simple rules. They know to line up to receive a flannel to wash their face and hands after lunch, which they do independently. Children know to listen attentively during small-group sessions. They wait for their turn during activities, supporting their social skills.

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need to do better?

n Children relish going to visit a care home every week, where they enjoy engaging in activities with the elderly residents. Children make pretend rockets with them in preparation for Bonfire Night and enjoy singing a variety of songs. Children develop good confidence and communication skills while they learn about their local community. n Staff plan a strong range of structured adult-led group sessions to build on children's existing skills. For instance, children enjoy physical games where they practise jumping and hopping techniques. Staff talk to children about their hearts beating faster and how oxygen and blood move more quickly around the body during exercise. They demonstrate breathing techniques to relax afterwards. However, during free-play activities, staff teaching is mostly narrative. Staff do not consistently help children to recall their prior knowledge and extend their learning to enhance their individual next steps of development.

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need to do better?

n Parents report that staff are 'amazing' and their children have made strong progress since starting at the nursery. They comment on how staff support them as a whole family and that staff know their children really well. Parents know what staff are teaching their children and receive regular information via the online communication system as well as through daily verbal discussions. The

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need to do better?

3 November 2023 nursery makes use of parents' strengths. For example, parents share their unique occupations and children learn about the role of being an opera singer, musician or footballer to further their understanding. n Leaders continuously develop staff's professional development to help deepen their knowledge and skills and make positive changes to benefit children, such as to the outdoor area. Children learn about sustainability and recycling. They use empty plastic bottles to make mathematical resources for counting and 'bug hotels' using natural materials while learning about nature. n Children enjoy exploring the learning environment. They independently choose where they would like to play and know how to access resources. Staff provide comfort to children who are new to the setting by providing them with cuddles and reassurance. However, at times, staff spend long periods holding these children. They do not engage them quickly enough in valuable learning

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need to do better?

experiences to support their development further. n Staff provide good opportunities for children to hear and join in with songs and rhymes. During small-group sessions, children identify songs through pictures and choose which ones they would like to sing. Staff encourage children to fill in the missing words and help them to develop an understanding of rhythm. n Children develop their mathematical skills well. Staff provide specific one-to-one time with children to support their development in this area. Children learn to count individual items, saying a number name for each one. They count out pretend apples from an irregular pattern and learn to recognise numbers to 10.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff teach children about how to stay safe from potential abuse. They use the NSPCC activities to help children to understand how their body belongs to them. Children learn to speak to a trusted adult if they feel worried. Staff provide information to parents on ways to protect their children when online at home to ensure their safety. All staff know and understand the potential signs and symptoms of when a child may be at risk of harm. They are alert to any changes in children's behaviour and know who to contact if they have concerns about children's welfare.

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should:

n support staff to further implement effective teaching strategies during free-play sessions to help children build on their existing knowledge and skills n consistently engage children in valuable learning experiences to support their overall development further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY468344 Local authority Torbay Inspection number 10305642 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 36 Number of children on roll 77 Name of registered person Southernwood Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01803607640 Date of previous inspection 28 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Southernwood Nursery registered in 2013 and is located in Torquay, Devon. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 5.30pm, for most of the year. The nursery receives free early education funding for children aged two, three and four years old. There are 15 members of staff working directly with the children, all of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications from level 6 to level 2.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery 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 and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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 The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

3 November 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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