Exmoor Stepping Stones CIC

Inspection of Exmoor Stepping Stones CIC Bottom Meadow Car park, Lynton, Devon EX35 6AR

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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 greatly benefit from attending this small community setting, which is managed and run by a dedicated and hard-working team. The staff intend for children to become sociable and confident individuals who are well prepared for school and later learning. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress. The managers have developed strong partnerships with other agencies to ensure that children with SEND are provided with the additional support they need.

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The provision is good

Children develop close attachments to the warm and caring staff and also with one another. Staff are very good role models, who treat children kindly and with respect for their individual characters. Children learn to be kind and considerate towards their friends. They are very active in their own learning, choosing what and who to play with. Children are well behaved and show a good understanding of the expectations. For example, they line up to go outside after putting on their coats and tell each other how cold it is outside and how their coats and hats will keep them warm.

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The provision is good

Children have regular opportunities to visit some of the beautiful local scenery. For example, they visit the beach, the Valley of the Rocks and the cliff railway. Children engage fully with their local community and learn to be respectful of their environment and about road safety.

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need to do better?

n The managers of the setting make use of additional funding to ensure staffing levels are well above the expected minimum. This allows staff to focus on children's individual needs and target support very effectively. Every child enjoys some one-to-one time with an adult on a weekly basis. This personalised approach helps children to thrive and feel accomplished in their learning. n Children excitedly take part in regular physical activities such as dancing to their favourite song, 'Dingle Dangle Scarecrow'. They sing along and take part in the actions. Some children extend this further by balancing on one leg for as long as they can. Children run and climb in the outdoor area and develop good physical skills. They walk around the local area, which is very steep in places, and develop high levels of stamina. n Teaching is of a good standard. Staff build on what children know and can do, and they adapt activities to support individual children's abilities. Children

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need to do better?

demonstrate good understanding of number, numerals and quantity. They count confidently to 10 and beyond. n Most children are becoming confident speakers. They can talk to their friends, staff and visitors about a wide range of subjects. For example, children talk as

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need to do better?

18 January 2024 they play with a toy farmyard about the different food the animals eat and how to keep the animals cool in hot weather. However, some of the quieter children are less confident talking in small groups and would benefit from further opportunities to practise speaking. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents report that they are kept well informed of their children's learning and development. Staff share information with parents to support them with their children at home. For example, they give guidance on behaviour, potty training and healthy eating. The staff team also intends to offer guidance on keeping children safe online. n Staff patiently support children to become more independent. They praise children for attempting to do up their own coats, for example, even when it is 'tricky'. Children wash their hands after using the toilet without being prompted. n The close-knit staff team continually reviews its provision. Staff informally

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need to do better?

discuss the children's progress and evaluate teaching and learning as they clean the setting after the end of each day. Staff regularly update their own knowledge, attending training to ensure that teaching is continually improving.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n develop opportunities for younger and quieter children to speak, to enable them to confidently join in with conversations.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY381223 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10317384 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person Exmoor Stepping Stones CIC

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reference number

Telephone number 01598753336 Date of previous inspection 11 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Exmoor Stepping Stones CIC registered in 2008. The pre-school operates from its own self-contained property in Lynton, North Devon, and is in receipt of funding for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3.30pm, during term time only. There are four members of staff. Of these, three have a qualification at level 3 and one is currently undertaking the level 3 qualification.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n One manager and the inspector discussed how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n One manager discussed the leadership of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector and one manager jointly observed and evaluated an activity. n The inspector spoke to children and staff throughout the inspection. n The inspector spoke to and read statements from parents to gather their views.

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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

18 January 2024 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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