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Early years · Report card

Tots & Teepees

Inspected 12 Feb 2026 · URN 2744613

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Summary

No overall grade in this framework

Tracy Joyce

What we read, and from where

Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.

  • Achievement verified

    Expected standard

  • Behaviour, attitudes and routines verified

    Expected standard

  • Children's welfare and wellbeing verified

    Expected standard

  • Curriculum and teaching verified

    Expected standard

  • Inclusion verified

    Expected standard

  • Leadership and governance verified

    Expected standard

  • Framework verified

    Report card

  • Group verified

    Row, Gemma

  • Inspection datesingle source

    12 Feb 2026

  • Inspectors verified

    Tracy Joyce

  • Postcode verified

    CO10 7PZ

  • Name on report verified

    Tots & Teepees

  • URN verified

    2744613

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Grade profile

Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.

  • AchievementExpected
  • Behaviour, attitudes and routinesExpected
  • Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected
  • InclusionExpected
  • Leadership and governanceExpected

Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

+87Very positivemore positive than 84% of reports of this type

In line with other reports of this type.

Praiseeffectiveenjoyeffectivelytrusting relationshipsconsistentlyfeel safesafestrength
Criticismconcernslimited

How the report reads, start to finish

Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.

FindingsSafeguardingAbout the inspectionLeadershipWhat needs to improve positive critical
  • Findings1358w+93
  • Leadership198w+72
  • Safeguarding51w−11
  • What needs to improve104w+50

Strengths

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

No standout praise found.

Concerns

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

No strong criticism found.

Next steps

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

What the report dwells on

Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.

Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
9
Words of findings
1,711
about usual (typical 1698)
Reading level
Hard
Flesch 46, typical 43
Average sentence
17 words
Next steps
4
typical 3
Hedged sentences
2%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 65%Leadership 9%Safeguarding 2%What needs to improve 5%About the inspection 18%

Full report text

Tots & Teepees

Unique reference number (URN): 2744613 Address: Tots and Teepees Day Nursery, Unit 4c, Clockhouse Farm, Cavendish Lane, Glemsford, Sudbury, CO10 7PZ Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registered with Ofsted: 07/09/2023 Registers: EYR, CCR, VCR Registered person: Row, Gemma

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Safeguarding standards met

The safeguarding standards are met. This means that leaders and/or those responsible for governance and oversight fulfil their specific responsibilities and have established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed. As a result, children are made safer and feel safe.

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How we evaluate safeguarding

When we inspect settings for safeguarding, they can have the following outcomes:

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How we evaluate safeguarding

Met: The setting has an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not met: The setting has not created an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not all legal requirements are met.

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Achievement Expected standard

Children make effective progress across all areas of learning, including in their communication development. Babies and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities learn to use sign language and attempt to copy simple key words that staff clearly repeat for them. Older children talk fluently and engage in meaningful conversations during daily walks. They match items in the environment with pictures on their bingo card and discuss which habitats different insects live in.

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Achievement Expected standard

Babies and toddlers confidently explore using all their senses. They investigate play dough pancakes. They taste the lemon available with this and learn that it tastes bitter. They also explore how bath salts dissolve when added to lemon juice. Older children make effective progress with their mathematical development as they naturally spot and match shapes in the environment and count independently. All children, including those who face barriers to their learning, are, overall, suitably prepared for the next stage of their learning.

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Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Leaders manage the routines of the day effectively, ensuring that all children get the opportunity for a daily walk outside as well as sleep at their preferred time. Transition times during the day are mostly managed well as staff are observant and responsive to children's needs. However, some transitions, particularly after meal and sleep times, can be a little overwhelming for the toddlers.

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Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Leaders and staff promote regular attendance at the setting so that children can become familiar with the routines and develop close and trusting relationships with staff. Staff are positive role models. They teach children manners and praise them when they are kind. Staff plan specific activities to teach children how to collaborate, for instance by building train tracks. In the mixed-age room, older children look after the younger ones and develop empathy.

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Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Staff consistently uphold the expectations of the setting, and children learn to tidy up and dispose of their own rubbish at lunchtime. Staff keep individual children's needs in mind when supporting them to manage their behaviour. They set realistic targets and use sign language to help younger children and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities to understand boundaries.

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Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Staff provide a secure, welcoming environment. They ensure that children get time outdoors each day and teach children how to keep themselves safe near roads. Children enjoy exploring nature, jumping in muddy puddles and looking for different animals and plants. Staff provide one-to-one support and equipment, such as buggies, to ensure that all children, including babies and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, can participate safely. They ensure that younger babies enjoy their walk outdoors as well as having plenty of time for their lunch and nap.

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Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Mealtimes are relaxed and sociable. Younger children enjoy spending time with older children. Staff promote independence as children wipe their own hands and choose which fruit or vegetable they would like to eat and help prepare it. However, the transition after snack time is a little less well managed. Toddlers get a little overwhelmed as they are unsure of what is happening next. Staff talk with children about healthy eating and share information with parents about providing healthy lunch boxes. Staff offer a nutritious afternoon meal and manage children's individual dietary needs safely. Key persons take time to get to know babies and share information with parents to meet their needs. They ensure that they have accurate information about children's health and manage children's personal care sensitively. Staff know children well and are responsive and caring. They teach children about their emotions and how to express their feelings in an appropriate way.

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Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

Leaders have a clear vision for what they want children to learn. They are focused on supporting staff to further develop their teaching skills to ensure consistency across the setting. Staff have a good knowledge of child development and plan experiences that help all children make progress. Staff assess children's needs and provide activities that support them all to achieve and learn a variety of skills. For example, children explore play dough pancakes. Staff help younger children develop their fine motor skills as they use tools and manipulate the play dough. They teach older children about the ingredients and practise counting and measuring.

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Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

Communication and language are promoted well through singing and stories. Children enjoy familiar books, such as 'Dear Zoo', and staff use props to deepen children's engagement. Staff use rich vocabulary during play to help children learn mathematical concepts, such as describing different shapes when building a train track. Despite outdoor access being limited, staff make effective use of indoor space to promote children's physical development. They embed action songs and movement into routines and use climbing apparatus to help children develop strength and coordination. Staff plan experiences that help children learn to collaborate and share and manage their emotions. Children with barriers to their learning make effective progress with their development.

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Inclusion Expected standard

Staff carry out thorough assessments of children's development and provide support to help children make progress. They quickly identify children's needs and share updates with parents to ensure that these are met. Staff help parents with the statutory assessment process and work with other professionals to provide tailored support. Leaders engage with external specialists to provide training for staff on supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effectively. Staff undertake further training to learn about supporting children with specific needs. Staff typically make adjustments to ensure that children with SEND are included in all aspects of the curriculum. However, occasionally, staff do not give children with SEND opportunities to fully explore activities that interest them, which can sometimes lead to frustration.

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Inclusion Expected standard

Staff support children who face other barriers to their learning, as they spend additional funding on resources to support children's emotional needs. They help them learn to recognise and regulate their emotions effectively. This enables children to manage their behaviour and build relationships with other children. Leaders ensure that processes to manage children's health and dietary needs are robust, and staff share information with parents daily to ensure that children are kept healthy and safe in the setting.

p.4

Leadership and governance Expected standard

There has been a recent change in leadership in the setting, and leaders are working hard to ensure consistency of care and education for children. They have identified key strengths of the setting as well as areas for improvement. Leaders are committed to supporting staff to develop their planning and teaching skills. Plans are underway to expand the provision, including creating a dedicated toddler room and an outdoor space.

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Leadership and governance Expected standard

Leaders support staff with managing the routines in the setting, ensuring that they have time to rest and manage their workloads. They have regular supervision meetings with staff to gather feedback on their wellbeing as well as their professional development needs. Leaders support staff to access further training to develop their knowledge and skills. Staff say they feel well supported in the setting, and new staff receive the assistance they need to achieve their early years qualifications. Teamwork is a strength, and staff work well together, sharing information about children's needs to ensure continuity of care.

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Leadership and governance Expected standard

Leaders develop and maintain effective relationships with parents and other professionals. They ensure that information is shared to meet children's individual needs as well as to support children with the transition to school.

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Compulsory Childcare Register requirements

This setting has met the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Register

When we check if settings meet the Compulsory Childcare Register requirements, they can have the following outcomes:

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Voluntary Childcare Register requirements

This setting has met the requirements of the voluntary part of Childcare Register.

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Register

When we check if settings meet the Voluntary Childcare Register requirements, they can have the following outcomes:

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What it's like to be a child at this setting

Staff gather information from parents before children start to find out about their individual needs. This helps them to provide a smooth settling-in process. For example, staff ensure that children have access to their familiar comfort items, such as a favourite toy, to help them feel safe. Staff promote regular attendance, which helps babies and children to form close, trusting relationships with their key person. They seek them out for comfort and reassurance when needed, and staff respond warmly and sensitively. Staff adapt routines to

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Inspector:

Tracy Joyce meet children's individual needs, including ensuring that children who require a morning sleep still access fresh air and outdoor experiences.

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Inspector:

Although the setting does not have its own outdoor area, staff take small groups of children on daily walks in the village. These outings help children develop independence as they learn to put on their coats and wellington boots as well as learn about road safety. Staff provide children with many opportunities to socialise together. Babies enjoy snacks and meals with the older children, and there is a mixed-age room for toddlers and pre-school children to learn and play together. Older children learn to care for their younger peers and develop responsibility, while younger children develop their confidence and social skills. Staff balance the needs of all children. They ensure that younger children are kept safe and offer older children more challenging learning opportunities. Children are suitably prepared for the next stage in their learning.

p.6

Inspector:

Staff continually share information with parents to ensure that they are continuing to provide safe and effective care and education. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are included in all aspects of the setting. Children who have barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing make effective progress with their learning and development. Staff value and welcome all children, celebrating their backgrounds and teaching them about festivals such as Chinese New Year and Pancake Day.

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Next steps

Leaders should further refine the organisation of daily transitions so that younger children remain consistently engaged. Leaders should ensure that they consistently support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to fully explore activities that interest them to maximise their full learning potential.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the manager, staff, parents and children during the inspection.

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About this inspection

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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Address:

Tots and Teepees Day Nursery Unit 4c, Clockhouse Farm, Cavendish Lane, Glemsford Sudbury CO10 7PZ

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Address:

Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Address:

Operating hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 07:30 - 18:00

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Facts and figures used on inspection

This data was available to the inspector at the time of the inspection.

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Exceptional

Practice is exceptional: of the highest standard nationally. Other settings can learn from it.

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Strong standard

The setting reaches a strong standard. Leaders are working above the standard expected of them.

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Expected standard

The setting is fulfilling the expected standard of education and/or care. This means they are following the standard set out in statutory and non ‑ statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them.

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Needs attention

The expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements.

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Urgent improvement

The setting needs to make urgent improvements to provide the expected standard of education and/or care.

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Urgent improvement

services providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.

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Urgent improvement

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Urgent improvement

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Urgent improvement

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Urgent improvement

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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