Apple Blossom Day Nursery Ltd

Inspection of Apple Blossom Day Nursery Ltd Apple Blossom Day Nursery Ltd, London Road, Whimple Exeter, Devon EX5 2PT

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

The manager has not ensured that at least one member of staff on site holds valid paediatric first-aid training at all times, as required. However, staff know how to administer appropriate first-aid treatment to children and the manager has now made arrangements for staff to complete the necessary training.

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The provision requires improvement

The manager and some staff do not manage children's behaviour appropriately or effectively. They do not help children to understand the rules and to learn to recognise and manage their feelings. This impacts the children's personal, social and emotional development. Children are familiar with the daily routines, settle quickly to an activity when they arrive and are keen to help staff to pack away the toys.

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The provision requires improvement

Overall, the manager and staff plan and provide a broad and stimulating curriculum for children. Babies and toddlers develop a love of books. They hurry over to staff excitedly when staff begin to read and they look at the pictures with fascination. Pre-school children are confident and imaginative, such as pretending to make and serve different flavours of ice-cream. However, although children who require extra help with their speech make some progress, staff do not consider how to provide more tailored support for these children, including by working with other professionals.

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need to do better?

n The manager has a weak understanding of the first-aid requirements. As a result, they were unaware that no staff have held valid first-aid training for several months. This is a breach of the requirements. n The manager and some staff do not use appropriate strategies to help children to understand the expectations for their behaviour and to learn the consequences of their actions. For example, staff often tell children 'no' or to stop what they are doing without explaining why their behaviour is inappropriate, and tell children they will have to take a time out if they do not apologise to each other. Children are not supported to think about their own and other people's feelings and to consider what they could do differently next time. n Key persons get to know the children well and assess their learning and development accurately. Staff plan experiences that interest and engage the children and help them to develop a positive attitude to learning. Babies and

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need to do better?

toddlers explore different textures using their senses and learn to recognise colours. Pre-school children count and recognise numbers. At times, staff do not challenge the older and more able children as fully as they could, to extend their learning further. n Staff model language for children to teach them a broad vocabulary. For

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need to do better?

26 March 2024 example, they talk to toddlers about 'hot' and 'cold' and help pre-school children to learn the names of vegetables. However, staff do not plan or provide additional support for children who require extra help and attention with their speech. These children do not receive good support consistently to help them learn to express themselves clearly and confidently. n Parents provide positive feedback about their children's enjoyment of attending the nursery and of the manager and staff's care for the children. Staff share information with the parents about what their children will be learning next. However, the manager does not work in partnership with other settings that children attend, to help other professionals to get to know children quickly and to promote consistency in their care and learning. n Staff are welcoming, friendly and playful, which helps children to feel contented at the nursery and to engage in their play. Staff are sensitive to children's care

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need to do better?

needs and take account of the children's wishes. For example, they recognise when some toddlers do not feel comfortable using their feet to explore a messy play activity, so encourage these children to use their hands instead, which they enjoy. n Children are confident to try things for themselves and to manage their self-care needs independently. Pre-school children ask for help when needed and proudly call out to staff 'I did it!' when they persevere and succeed in putting on their coat and boots to play outside. n The manager and staff have a secure knowledge of safeguarding and understand how to raise concerns appropriately to protect children from harm.

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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.

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Due date

ensure at least one member of staff on site holds valid paediatric first-aid training at all times 12/04/2024

p.3

Due date

ensure all staff use appropriate strategies to manage children's behaviour consistently and effectively, to support children's personal, social and emotional development 12/04/2024

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Due date

26 March 2024 improve the support for children who need extra help with their speech, to extend their communication and language development. 12/04/2024

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should:

n develop the planning for the older and more able children to provide more challenge and extend their learning further n establish links with other settings that children attend to promote consistency and continuity in their care and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2761618 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10317850 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 29 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Apple Blossom Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01404822251 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Apple Blossom Day Nursery Ltd initially registered in 2000 but re-registered in 2023 due to a change in the legal entity. It is open from 7.45am to 6pm each weekday, all year round. There are six staff employed to work with the children, three of whom hold relevant qualifications at level 3 and the manager holds a relevant level 5 qualification. The nursery is in receipt of funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 setting. n The manager led the inspector on a learning walk of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n The manager and inspector carried out two joint observations of group activities to reflect on the quality of education. n The inspector talked to staff and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the manager about the leadership and management of the setting.

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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

26 March 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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