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 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 the nursery happily and are keen to explore the range of activities available. They form close bonds with the staff, who are friendly and caring. Children spontaneously cuddle staff or sit on their lap, and staff respond warmly. The nursery has made significant improvements since the last inspection. Staff have adapted their practice to help children understand the nursery rules and boundaries. They gently talk to children about how to keep safe, such as not climbing on furniture when indoors.

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The provision is good

The curriculum is planned well and is adapted to challenge the more able children, such as introducing more complex words to support their vocabulary. Children use words including 'tinsel' and 'bauble' as they decorate the small Christmas tree. Younger children use two-word sentences and are inquisitive, asking questions such as 'What's that?' while pointing to a new Christmas activity being set up by staff.

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The provision is good

All children have a positive attitude to learning. Older children enjoy making 'elf' headbands. They learn how to make the colour pink using red and white paint. Younger children develop their hand-eye coordination as they pull cotton wool balls apart and then stick them onto a paper plate to create a 'Father Christmas' picture.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit from learning about the world around them. Staff take children on short outings to the provider's field to feed her horse 'Indie'. They also collect apples from the orchard and use these for snacks. On-site, the children feed the chickens and collect their eggs. They grow vegetables and learn where food comes from. Children watch how pumpkins decay and learn how this provides vital nutrients to the soil. n Partnerships with parents are effective. Staff work closely with them to support their child's needs. Parents comment on how staff take time to listen and how they discuss their child's progress at termly meetings. They comment on how their children have developed well since starting, particularly in their communication skills. n Overall, staff work well with children to help them understand how to share and to communicate their needs effectively. For example, older children say, 'Excuse

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need to do better?

me, can you help me please.' However, at times, some staff do not use consistent strategies and use overly complex sentences when children are upset. This frustrates some children, and they find it difficult to communicate their needs back. n Children enjoy musical activities to support their physical development. Younger children use instruments and learn what sounds they make. Staff teach them to

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need to do better?

10 December 2024 wave ribbons and how to jump. Older children engage in music and movement activities, following instructions and developing new skills. n Generally, care practices are implemented well. The nursery has created designated sleep areas dependent on children's preferences, such as darker and lighter spaces. Children sleep in their preferred space, linking closely to their routines at home. The nursery provides home-made nutritious meals to benefit children's health. However, the deployment of staff at mealtimes is not consistently effective. Some staff who work with younger children are left to manage mealtimes on their own for short periods. Although children are safe, they sometimes become unsettled as they wait for their meals to arrive. n The provider has reflected well since the last inspection and has improved the provision. All staff now hold valid paediatric first-aid certificates to ensure they

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need to do better?

know how to respond in an emergency. They have improved relationships with other professionals to enable them to meet children's individual needs. Staff have also implemented daily activities to help develop children's speech sounds to benefit their language skills. n Children enjoy listening to stories read by staff. They engage well and concentrate for short periods. Staff talk to children about the front cover and ask what they think the story might be about. Children talk about the 'snow' and then recall past events of the recent snowfall.

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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 support staff to use consistent strategies to help children communicate their needs effectively n deploy staff more efficiently, particularly during mealtimes, to meet children's care needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2761618 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10342393 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 18 Name of registered person Apple Blossom Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01404822251 Date of previous inspection 26 March 2024

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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, except over the Christmas period. There are five staff employed to work with the children, four of whom hold relevant qualifications at level 3 and one member of staff is unqualified The setting offers government funded places for childcare and also receives specific funding for disadvantaged children.

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Inspection activities

n The provider and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector and provider carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The provider and the assistant manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request, including paediatric first-aid certificates and the suitability of staff.

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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

10 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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