Merry-Go-Round Pre-School

Inspection of Merry-Go-Round Pre- School Merry Go Round Pre School, Stokenham, KINGSBRIDGE, Devon TQ7 2SJ

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children enter this pre-school with enthusiasm and are warmly welcomed by friendly and nurturing staff. They demonstrate high levels of confidence, behave well and show a positive attitude to learning. Children feel safe in their environment and with the staff who care for them. They spontaneously give adults a cuddle or invite them into their play.

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The provision is good

Staff plan and deliver the curriculum well to ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, develop into confident and independent learners. Staff focus on supporting children's mental health. For example, they design and implement 'pamper sessions' where children come to the pre-school in their pyjamas and dressing gown ready for a day of indulgence. Staff paint their nails and offer face painting for those children who want it. They encourage children to talk about their feelings. Staff tell children that their voice matters. They listen to children and respect their views and opinions. Staff provide children with positive affirmations and talk to them about children's own skills and what they are good at. Children's self-esteem is high.

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The provision is good

Children play well together and show respect towards others and the environment. They listen effectively and follow staff's instructions, such as when it is time to tidy up. Children work effectively together. They help to complete a jigsaw as a team before putting it away in the designated drawer.

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need to do better?

n Children enjoy outdoor activities, such as making bird feeders with lard and seed. Staff talk to children about different seasons and how birds need additional food in winter. This helps to support children's understanding of the world. Children talk about the texture of the lard and how it feels soft and sticky. Staff extend the activity to help further develop children's hand-eye coordination. Children concentrate and focus well while trying to thread circular pieces of cereal onto pipe cleaners. Children feel proud of their accomplishments and hang these up for the birds to enjoy. n Parents are highly involved with raising funds with staff to benefit the pre- school. Bingo nights and local fairs provide enjoyment for all the family. This helps to build a positive parent and staff relationship. Staff utilise parents' skills well. Parents kindly offer to play an active role in the pre-school, such as coming

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need to do better?

in to read stories with the children or to construct a new summer house. This will provide an extra area for children to play in. Although parent partnerships are effective, staff do not always provide a consistent approach in supporting children's learning at home to help them make even more progress. n The pre-school has formed positive links with the local community and has

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need to do better?

21 February 2024 received donated items, such as daffodil bulbs. Staff use these to provide children with an understanding of what plants need to grow. Children enjoy using their physical skills to dig up soil and place it in their pot. They talk about what a plant needs to grow, such as sunlight and rain. n Staff enable children to share their ideas and thoughts throughout the day. For example, children are asked to choose which songs to sing at group time. Children all join in and sing enthusiastically, which develops their communication skills. After singing, children go to the bathroom in small groups to wash their hands before lunch. During these times, the remaining children sit quietly and wait patiently. However, staff do not always engage with children effectively during these times to help them to remember what they have learned throughout the day and build on their existing knowledge. n Children develop a love of books and enjoy listening to staff read traditional

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need to do better?

tales. They then create their own 'gingerbread man' picture. Children enjoy selecting a variety of materials, including feathers, pom-poms and sequins. Staff encourage younger children to develop their focus and attention skills, engaging them in conversations. Staff support older children to retell the story in their own words. They ask children how the gingerbread man might have felt. Children say he was laughing as he got away from the little old man and woman in the story.

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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 provide a consistent two-way approach to children's learning at home n engage consistently with children, particularly during quiet times, to help them recall and build on their existing knowledge.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY292062 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10299838 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 20 Number of children on roll 31

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Name of registered person

Merry Go Round Pre-School And Toddler Group (Stokenham)

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reference number

Telephone number 01548 581 440 Date of previous inspection 26 May 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Merry-Go-Round Pre-School registered in 2004. It is open from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am to 3.15pm. Five members of staff work directly with the children. The manager holds an early years qualification at level 4, two members of staff hold qualifications at level 3, and two members of staff are working towards a childcare qualification at level 3. The pre-school offers funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the pre- school. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked about the pre- school's curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the pre-school. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during a creative activity. n Parents shared their views of the pre-school with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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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

21 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.

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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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