Spring Cedars

Inspection of Spring Cedars Northbrook Close, Exeter EX4 8LD

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children enter the nursery confidently and happily, eager to see what resources and activities staff have set out for them. They are welcomed warmly by the friendly staff team, which helps the children to settle quickly. Staff give children their full attention and work hard to promote their personal and emotional development in particular. Children are confident and feel emotionally secure in staff's care. The older children talk about their feelings and emotions during group times, such as explaining why they feel happy or worried. Staff help children to learn the expectations for their behaviour. Children recall the rules and remind their friends of them throughout the day, such as telling each other what the behaviour cards mean when staff hold them up.

p.2

The provision is good

Leaders and staff know the children well and plan a broad and ambitious curriculum to build on what the children know and can do. Staff are clear about what they want children to learn next and provide good support to meet their individual needs. Staff identify when children may require additional help swiftly and work closely with parents and other professionals to provide a consistent and tailored approach for these children. All children, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress and develop a positive attitude to learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders and staff are committed to providing high-quality care and education for all children. Leaders provide effective support and coaching for staff to strengthen their knowledge and skills. As a result of recent training, staff working with the pre-school children have recently begun to use signing to support children's communication and language. This is already having a positive impact on children's confidence to express their needs and to communicate with each other. n Overall, staff use appropriate strategies to support children's communication and language development. They repeat clear and simple language, pause to encourage children to join in with well-known nursery rhymes and model a broad vocabulary. For example, they teach children what courgettes are and use mathematical language, such as 'half'. At times, although staff sit with the children as they play, learn and eat, they do not engage them in discussions, to

p.2

need to do better?

extend their language development further. n Staff place a strong emphasis on supporting children to be independent from a young age. Babies are encouraged to wipe their own nose and pre-school children put on their coat and boots and use cutlery ably at mealtimes. Children are confident to manage their care needs by themselves and are keen to help staff, such as when setting the table at mealtimes.

p.2

need to do better?

12 February 2024 n Parents speak very highly of the nursery. They talk about the nutritious home- cooked lunches, the regular updates they receive about their children's learning and development and the close relationships that staff form with the children. On occasion, staff do not find out about children's experiences at home in as much detail as they could, to enable them to work more closely with the parents to promote even greater consistency in children's care and learning. n Staff form sensitive, respectful and caring relationships with the children. For example, they ask babies if they can wipe their hands and face after mealtimes and repeat actions playfully if they make the babies giggle. Staff initiate games with them, such as rolling balls back and forward to them, which helps to develop the babies' understanding of social interactions. n Staff have clear intentions for children's learning. Staff working with the babies

p.2

need to do better?

provide activities that strengthen their legs and core strength, to help them learn to stand and take their first steps. Pre-school children learn to count, recognise numbers and letters, and build their coordination and hand strength such as when peeling, grating and chopping vegetables. n Staff kindly reassure children that they can change their clothes when they have finished playing, so it does not matter if they get dirty. This gives children the confidence to play, learn and explore freely using their senses. They paint with their hands, transport rice into containers and laugh when they fall over in the mud in the garden.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n strengthen staff's interactions with children to support and encourage the children to speak more and extend their communication and language development further n develop partnerships with parents even further, to exchange more detailed information about children's routines and experiences at home, to enable greater consistency in their care and learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY551303 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10305408 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 46 Number of children on roll 74 Name of registered person Action For Children Developments Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01392 277 682 Date of previous inspection 20 February 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Spring Cedars registered in 2017. It is situated in the Beacon Heath area of Exeter, Devon and is managed by Action For Children Developments Ltd. The nursery is open from 7.45am to 5.45pm on Monday to Friday, all year round. There are 11 members of staff, including two kitchen staff. Of the 9 staff who work with children, including the manager, 7 hold childcare qualifications of at least level 2. The nursery is in receipt of funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

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 Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and considered the impact on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with several parents and carers to take account of their views. n Staff held discussions with the inspector to share their experiences, feedback and knowledge of policies and procedures. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with leaders. n Leaders met with the inspector to discuss the day-to-day running of the setting.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

12 February 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6