Swallows Day Nursery

Inspection of Swallows Day Nursery Swimbridge House Nursing Home, Swimbridge, BARNSTAPLE, Devon EX32 0QT

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children arrive at the setting with enthusiasm and transition smoothly to the staff's care. Strong relationships between staff and parents are evident as they engage in meaningful conversations during the children's arrival, ensuring a seamless transition between home and nursery. Children seek reassurance from staff when needed. Staff enhance children's emotional well-being through gentle and kind interactions, fostering an environment of trust and care.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations for all children. They are fantastic role models and teach children to follow rules and procedures with sensitivity. Children engage in play effectively; alone or with peers, demonstrating good behaviour and manners. For example, older children raise their hands to speak during group activities and wait patiently for their turn. Children use polite phrases like please and thank you. Staff communicate calmly, which keeps the noise level low, encouraging concentration and development.

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The provision is good

The quality of education is good. Children make progress in various areas of their development during their time at nursery. Staff engage the children's individual needs and interests, building on their existing knowledge and skills through a variety of planned activities. For instance, younger children participate in making different moulds out of sand. Staff enhance their learning by encouraging them to count up to three before turning it over. They learn to listen and take turns, engaging in play and learning.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum is designed to support children's development, with leaders and staff adapting to meet their individual needs. They have created a well- structured nursery to follow the curriculum. Activities are based on children's interests and specific topics. Staff focus on termly themes and plan corresponding activities and experiences. For example, while exploring the topic of 'bugs', children are shown real caterpillars and engage with the story of 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. Children demonstrate engagement and enthusiasm. Staff monitor children's development and have a thorough understanding of what the children already know and what they need to learn next. n Children benefit from engaging in outdoor play. Toddlers demonstrate enjoyment when participating in outdoor activities, when they practise their physical abilities by climbing on large equipment and using ride-on toys. Staff utilise the space for

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need to do better?

group sessions, during which they explore musical instruments in various ways to enhance children's listening skills. Additionally, staff educate children about nature and animals. They teach the children to care for animals, such as chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits and a tortoise.

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need to do better?

11 June 2025 n Staff offer a range of activities, both adult-led and child-focused, aimed at engaging and stimulating children's curiosity. For instance, children participate in a story using props to enhance their experience. However, during some adult-led activities, children may occasionally wait for extended periods before it is their turn. Consequently, children become distracted and lose focus, and their engagement and learning do not develop as much as possible. n Children benefit from a language-rich environment. Staff sing, read and talk with children throughout the day. Babies giggle and smile as staff sing familiar nursery rhymes to them during play. Staff actively engage in conversations, ask questions and give time for children to respond. Toddlers are encouraged to add words together. This supports all children as they learn to become confident communicators. n Babies receive effective support. Staff arrange the environment to meet their

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need to do better?

various needs, such as exploring a sensory room. They model and repeat new words and phrases, engaging babies through meaningful interactions. When babies are tired, staff promptly help them settle in a cosy sleep room, supporting their emotional security. n Leaders oversee staff and participate in tasks to maintain the functioning of the setting. Staff report positively about the management team, noting that they feel valued and happy in their roles. Staff have regular supervision sessions and are provided with various training opportunities to support their ongoing professional development. This aims to ensure that children receive quality care and education. n Parent partnerships are strong, with parents praising leaders and staff for their support and openness. Staff share children's developmental progress, and parents value the daily updates on their child's activities and learning.

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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 develop group times to ensure children's continued engagement and learning n provide further opportunities for children to develop and practise their independence skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY386523 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10398702 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 30 Number of children on roll 54 Name of registered person Griffin, Elaine June

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reference number

Telephone number 01271831493 Date of previous inspection 6 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Swallows Day Nursery registered in 2009 and is situated in Swimbridge, Devon. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round. There are eight members of staff who work directly with the children, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery is in receipt of funding to provide free early education for children.

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Inspection activities

n A learning walk was carried out with the manager to understand how they deliver the curriculum. n The inspector talked to the setting's special educational needs coordinator about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The opinions and views of parents were considered during the inspection. n A sample of documentation reviewed during the inspection included suitability checks and first-aid certificates. n A joint observation was carried out with the manager. n The inspector talked to the staff and children and took their views into account. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A leadership and management discussion was held with the manager.

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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

11 June 2025 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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