Whimple Preschool Playgroup

Inspection of Whimple Preschool Playgroup Victory Hall, School Hill, Whimple, Exeter, Devon EX5 2TS

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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

The pre-school provides a warm and nurturing environment. The staff know the children and their families well, ensuring children's emotional development needs are met. Parents appreciate the care their children receive alongside the regular communication, commenting 'they are always available'. The children demonstrate their independence through daily routines and carefully planned meaningful opportunities. Staff welcome children at the door and encourage them to independently put away their coat and self-register before choosing from the activities available inside the setting.

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The provision is good

The curriculum intent is clear with a strong focus on building and developing language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development, which ensures children are ready to transition to school. Staff set out a range of resources that reflect children's current interests and support different ways of learning. For example, diggers were provided with a sensory material to enable children to scoop and gather, which also offered sensory input for those who benefit from this type of play.

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The provision is good

The staff engage with the children at all times, modelling speech and language, while building upon and extending children's knowledge and vocabulary. All children enjoy spending time outside each day. Staff provide resources that reflect children's interests and skilfully extend their learning, for example using measuring tapes to measure how far cars travel down a ramp. Staff meet fortnightly to discuss the needs of all the children and plan how to meet next steps, including targeted activities to support children who need it.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and staff are passionate about providing the best care for the children. This ensures their emotional well-being is of a high priority and the staff build strong relationships with the children and their families. This supports children to settle well and develop confidence. n Parents speak highly about the communication provided by the pre-school. Staff regularly update the online learning journal and engage with parents at drop off and pick up times, as well as during meetings to share children's next steps. They regularly invite families into the pre-school for special events, such as sports day. n Key persons know their children well and share this information with the rest of the staff. This means that all staff are aware of every child's needs, ensuring they make good progress from their starting points. n Staff engage the children in all activities on offer in both the inside and outside

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need to do better?

environments. For example, playing target games where the children throw or

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need to do better?

24 June 2025 kick balls at a number target to win points. The space available is used well. The pre-school has a quiet time, where children can relax by listening to music or sharing a book, but provision of a quieter indoor space for children needing a calming area when overwhelmed by noise is currently limited. n Children show high interest in the activities available. Play is purposeful and meaningful and they are independent in their learning. Sharing and taking turns is encouraged through playing games and modelling. Children have a love of stories and can be seen enjoying books, both inside and in the outside environment. However, during transition times, such as tidy up, children often become excitable and lose focus, resulting in a noisy and unsettled environment. n Staff and leaders have a good knowledge of routes of referral to support the early identification of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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need to do better?

The pre-school communicates with parents when they have causes for concern and signpost parents for additional support when needed. The pre-school works well with outside agencies, for example the speech and language therapist, to provide targeted support and, as a result, children with SEND make good progress. n The manager supports the professional development of staff by offering available courses, ensuring their practice is up to date. Staff share new learning and initiatives during meetings and discuss how to implement them in the pre- school setting.

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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 enhance staff communication during transitions so that expectations are clear and the environment remains calm and supportive n create opportunities for children to access a quieter space when they need time away from the busy environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 106065 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10399425 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 24 Number of children on roll 24 Name of registered person Whimple Pre School Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07794 652549 Date of previous inspection 2 December 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Whimple Preschool Playgroup registered in 1992 and is situated in Whimple, Devon. The playgroup opens on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 3.30pm, during term time only. There are five members of staff. Of these, one holds early years teacher status, one has qualified teacher status and three hold qualifications at level 3. The pre-school offers government funded places for childcare.

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Inspection activities

n Parents shared their views and experiences of the setting with the inspector. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together. n The inspector spoke to staff and the children. n The inspector and manager took part in a joint observation. n The inspector held a leadership and management discussion with the manager. n Relevant documentation was provided on request. n The quality of education provided inside and outside was observed.

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Inspection activities

24 June 2025 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

24 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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