Discovery Nursery

Inspection of Discovery Nursery 97 Heavitree Road, Exeter EX1 2ND

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Staff welcome children and families as they arrive at the nursery. They ask parents for updates about the children and use this information to offer appropriate care. For example, they find out how children have been doing with potty training at home and offer to do additional reminders through the day to support them. There is an effective key-person system in place where staff work with a secondary key person for each child. Staff communicate and share children's progress and all staff know children well. This allows for continuity in children's learning and care.

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The provision is good

The children enjoy a curriculum that focuses on building key skills for their next stages, including starting school. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour and create clear rules that are consistently shared. Children respond well to prompts from staff but mostly follow the rules without the need for reminders. Staff praise children and make it clear what they are doing well in, which reinforces their positive behaviours. Children learn to recognise their emotions and to think about the emotions of others. Staff skilfully teach children to resolve conflicts for themselves. Children learn to let their friends know that they have made them sad and why. They know to say sorry if they have upset others and think of ways that they can play nicely together so everyone is happy. Children interact well and play harmoniously together.

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need to do better?

n Staff regularly observe children and monitor their progress. They quickly identify gaps in children's learning and share this information with parents. Staff work with outside agencies to ensure that relevant interventions are put in place. Children benefit from this targeted approach which closes gaps and supports their progress. n Staff provide opportunities for children to build an understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. They teach children which foods and drinks are good for our teeth and bodies. Children learn how to cook simple foods and enjoy tasting these to support their healthy eating habits. They learn how to attend to their own hygiene and toileting needs. For instance, all children learn to wash their hands. n Staff promote children's physical development. They support children to build both large and small muscle skills and strength. For example, young babies learn to hold spoons and coordinate movements while learning to feed themselves.

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need to do better?

Older children balance and challenge themselves on obstacles courses. They build the hand strength required for writing and drawing through cutting with scissors and rubbing flour and butter together when cooking. n Staff celebrate the cultures and languages of children who attend. For example, they say simple words and phrases to children in their home languages. Children

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need to do better?

5 December 2024 build a positive sense of self and understand where they fit into the world. They take pride in what makes them different to others and sharing this with their friends. Other children learn to respect and enjoy learning about the events from different cultures, which prepares them well for life in modern Britain. n Staff place a high priority on building children's communication and language skills. For example they teach babies simple signs so they are able to communicate their needs with adults. They model a variety of words for toddlers and pre-school children and use questions to allow children opportunities to practise their speaking skills. For instance, they ask children 'what do you think?' and allow them time to think before answering. Children are excited to share their ideas and explain their thoughts. n Leaders provide staff with regular supervision sessions and feedback on their

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need to do better?

practice. However, although leaders provide training for staff, this is sometimes focused on whole setting improvements rather than improving individual staff's skills and knowledge to better meet the specific needs of the children. Also, staff are not always able to share learning from training to promote consistency in teaching across the nursery. This means not all children benefit from good- quality interactions that target what they need to learn next. n Staff generally engage in high-quality interactions with children as they play. However, in the baby room, staff focus too heavily on following a busy routine consisting of many adult-led activities. For example, babies have to stay outside playing for the designated time even when they are not enjoying their play and try to come inside. At times, children are sat for long periods of time with minimal staff interactions and some babies become upset.

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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 improve consistency of teaching across the nursery so that all children benefit from more good quality interactions that target what they need to learn next n develop the organisation and planning for babies so they are able to follow their own interests and remain engaged in purposeful learning at all times.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2688810 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10367865 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 85 Number of children on roll 102 Name of registered person Devon Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01392459336 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Discovery Nursery registered under the current registration in 2022. It is situated in Exeter, Devon and is one of five nurseries owned by Devon Nurseries Ltd. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round. There are 23 members of staff. Of these, one holds a qualification at level 6, one at level 5, and one at level 4. Eight members of staff hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3, and four at level 2. The nursery offers government funded childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. 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 viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of pre-school- aged children. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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

5 December 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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