Pinecones Nursery School

Inspection of Pinecones Nursery School Unit 1b,1c,4,5, Kingsdown Business Park, Salcombe Regis, Sidmouth EX10 0PD

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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 happily and receive a warm welcome from staff, who know them well. Staff support children to become independent learners and follow their own interests. They provide an exciting learning environment that helps children develop their imaginations. Children delight as they play a game of 'hot lava' with staff. They giggle as they carefully negotiate climbing on different resources, such as tyres and wooden boards, on the ground. They work together well to move these resources into a circle, enabling them to climb off the floor. Staff support children to develop a good level of confidence and control in balancing. Children demonstrate high levels of engagement and enjoyment.

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The provision is good

Leaders have put in place a rich and ambitious curriculum that builds on what children already know and need to know next. They have high expectations of what children can achieve and carefully consider the way they think children learn best in the nursery. Children make good progress in all areas of the early years foundation stage curriculum. They benefit from a wide range of learning opportunities, which enrich children's experiences and help develop their character. Staff encourage children to suggest their ideas and vote regularly in the nursery on different subjects. For example, children decide what to bake with fresh blackcurrants and rhubarb brought in from their gardens.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have a clear vision for the nursery and communicate this well with others. They regularly monitor staff's practice and provide training linked to their individual needs. For example, staff have recently attended training to increase their confidence in mathematics. Leaders report how staff now help children to develop their mathematical skills regularly as they play together. n Staff are knowledgeable and promote learning across a wide range of subjects. They present information clearly to children and frequently extend their vocabulary. For example, staff introduce the word 'segment' to children, when discussing the appearance of lemons and limes as part of a printing activity. n Staff monitor children's progress carefully and recognise when children might need additional help. They work well with other professionals to put in place support for children where necessary. They share information well when children

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need to do better?

move on to school to ensure a smooth transition. However, staff are not always consistent in their approach to supporting children who require extra help to communicate, and they sometimes struggle to make their needs known. n Children are confident learners. Staff support children very well to learn to take manageable risks in their play. For example, children demonstrate an excellent ability to climb and negotiate spaces in the outdoor area, including low-level branches on trees and swings designed to improve upper body strength. Staff

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need to do better?

5 August 2025 provide reminders for the behaviour rules in these situations where necessary. Children listen well to staff and regulate their behaviour and emotions well. n Children make particularly good progress in their physical development. Staff support children in developing their core strength and coordination. They help children develop strength in their small muscles through a variety of age- appropriate and fun activities. For example, toddlers concentrate for extended periods as they use large chalks to mark make on logs. n Staff support children to learn about differences and what makes them unique. Children are respectful of both staff and other children. However, staff do not consistently support children to learn about other ways of life and communities beyond their own to help them to have a greater understanding of diversity. n Children become more independent over time. Staff shared high expectations of

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need to do better?

what children can do for themselves. Children learn to wash their faces using cloths and look in mirrors to check that they have done so. Staff encourage children to put on their wellington boots and hats when they play in the outdoor area. Children demonstrate high levels of perseverance and keep trying even when they find something difficult. n Parents appreciate the care staff provide for their children. Staff provide a good level of feedback on children's achievements in the nursery and on the next steps in their development. Parents report on how thoughtful staff are and how they support children with transitions both in and out of the nursery, such as helping prepare children for the arrival of a new sibling.

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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 ensure staff provide children with consistent strategies to communicate their needs and ideas to others n support children to learn about other ways of life and communities beyond their own to help them to have a greater understanding of diversity.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY551114 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10414842 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 40 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Pinecones Nursery School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01297680587 Date of previous inspection 24 August 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Pinecones Nursery School registered in 2017. It is a privately owned nursery, situated in Salcombe Regis, Devon. The nursery is open on weekdays from 8am to 5pm, all year round, except for two weeks at Christmas, one week at Easter and one week in the summer. There are 10 members of staff. Of these, three hold relevant qualifications at level 6, one at level 4, four at level 3 and two at level 2. The nursery offers government funded childcare places.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. 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 and the manager carried out a joint observation in the toddler room. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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 August 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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