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Early years · Report card

Ladybirds Early Years Care & Education

Inspected 26 Aug 2026 · URN EY498094

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Summary

No overall grade in this frameworkSafeguarding met

Donna Frost

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

    Ladybirds (Barnstaple) Limited

  • Inspection datesingle source

    26 Aug 2026

  • Inspectors verified

    Donna Frost

  • Postcode verified

    EX32 7AA

  • Name on report verified

    Ladybirds Early Years Care & Education

  • Safeguarding verified

    Met

  • URN verified

    EY498094

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.

+47Positivemore positive than 19% of reports of this type

In line with other reports of this type.

Praisefeel safeenjoyconsistentlypositivethriveconsistentpromptlysecure
Criticismnot alwaysconcernslimiteddelayednot clearlynot consistently

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
  • Findings1352w+47
  • Leadership240w+42
  • Safeguarding51w−11
  • What needs to improve115w+50

Strengths

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Concerns

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Next steps

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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
1,758
about usual (typical 1698)
Reading level
Hard
Flesch 45, typical 43
Average sentence
14 words
Next steps
4
typical 3
Hedged sentences
10%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 63%Leadership 11%Safeguarding 2%What needs to improve 5%About the inspection 18%

Full report text

Ladybirds Early Years Care & Education

Unique reference number (URN): EY498094 Address: Pilton Causeway, BARNSTAPLE, Devon, EX32 7AA Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registered with Ofsted: 07/01/2016 Registers: EYR, CCR, VCR Registered person: Ladybirds (Barnstaple) Limited

p.1

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.

p.1

Achievement Expected standard

Children make progress from their starting points across the areas of learning. They develop communication skills through songs, stories and conversations with staff. For example, babies join in with number songs, while older children talk about what they saw on walks in the local community. This helps children build language skills and learn about the world around them.

p.2

Achievement Expected standard

Children develop physical skills and independence through play and daily routines. They climb, balance and move safely outdoors. Younger children learn to feed themselves and use open cups. Older children develop the skills they need for their next stage of learning. For example, they recognise their names, manage personal care routines and follow simple instructions during group activities.

p.2

Achievement Expected standard

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, disadvantaged children and children facing barriers to learning receive support that helps them learn alongside their friends.

p.2

Achievement Expected standard

As a result, children gain the knowledge, skills and confidence they need for their next stage of learning. However, staff do not always explain activities clearly or build on children's learning during activities. This sometimes limits opportunities for children to deepen their thinking and learning.

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Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Leaders promote expectations for behaviour and routines across the setting. Staff help children understand what is expected of them and use consistent approaches to support behaviour. They focus on praise, encouragement and helping children manage their feelings. Staff also share behaviour support plans so children receive a consistent approach.

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Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Children form positive relationships with staff and their friends. They play together, take turns and show respect for others. For example, staff respond very promptly to any minor incident, supporting children to understand and manage their emotions. Children feel safe to express their needs, and staff respond with care and reassurance.

p.2

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Children show positive attitudes to learning. They generally join activities and move between experiences with confidence. Children enjoy learning and typically engage well with the experiences available to them.

p.2

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Leaders monitor attendance and follow up unexplained absences promptly. Staff contact families when children do not arrive as expected and work with parents to promote regular attendance.

p.2

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, disadvantaged children and children facing barriers to learning receive support that helps them take part in routines and activities alongside their peers. However, staff do not always implement routines consistently. At times, quieter communication and delayed responses to children reduce opportunities for all children to fully engage in transitions and daily activities.

p.2

Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Children benefit from warm and caring relationships with staff who know them well. Staff understand each child's needs, interests and circumstances. They use this knowledge to provide the right support and help children feel safe, valued and included. Children who face barriers to learning or wellbeing receive targeted support. Staff work closely with families and other professionals to help meet their needs.

p.3

Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Children build secure attachments with familiar adults. They confidently seek comfort, reassurance and support when needed. Staff respond sensitively to children's emotional needs and help them recognise and talk about their feelings. For example, staff calmly comforted a child who became upset and asked for their mummy, helping them feel safe and reassured. As a result, children feel safe, secure and emotionally supported.

p.3

Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

However, staff do not always organise mealtimes and changes between activities consistently. At times, children wait longer than necessary, and staff miss opportunities to promote independence during mealtimes. This occasionally limits children's self-help skills, reduces their engagement and disrupts the flow of daily routines.

p.3

Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

Leaders have planned a curriculum that helps children learn the knowledge and skills they need for their next steps. Staff know children well and use their interests and needs to support learning. Children enjoy a range of experiences indoors and outdoors that help them learn through play.

p.3

Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

Children develop their communication and language skills through songs, stories and literacy activities. For example, older children clap out the sounds in words to support their phonics development. Staff support children's thinking through discussion and questioning, helping them to compare sizes, solve problems and test different ways of making structures stable. Children learn early mathematics as they count, compare amounts and use words such as 'more' and 'less' during activities and routines.

p.3

Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

Children make choices in their play and follow their own interests. For example, children used toy dinosaurs to make paint prints and explored the marks and colours they created. Staff supported their learning by talking about colour, size and shape. Children generally build independence as they choose resources, serve food and manage daily routines.

p.3

Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who face barriers to learning receive support that meets their individual needs. They access the curriculum alongside their friends. Staff adapt activities and use strategies that help children take part in learning and make progress from their starting points.

p.3

Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

As a result, children enjoy learning and develop knowledge and skills across the curriculum. However, staff do not always deliver activities and routines consistently. At times, staff do not explain activities clearly or support learning well enough. This can reduce children's engagement and limit opportunities to extend their thinking and learning.

p.3

Inclusion Expected standard

Leaders and staff identify children's needs early. They work with parents and other professionals to make sure children get the right support. Leaders generally check children's progress often and change support when needed to improve their wellbeing or learning.

p.4

Inclusion Expected standard

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive help that meets their needs. Staff follow advice from speech and language therapists, teachers of the deaf and other specialists. Leaders also help families access services, assessments and extra support when needed.

p.4

Inclusion Expected standard

Leaders use individual support plans, targeted funding and regular reviews to identify and reduce barriers to learning. For example, additional funding helps provide extra staffing and tailored support for children who need help with communication, emotional regulation or social interaction.

p.4

Inclusion Expected standard

Leaders help families access advice, support groups and specialist services. They also put plans in place to help children move between rooms and prepare for school.

p.4

Leadership and governance Expected standard

Leaders generally provide clear direction for the setting and maintain oversight of quality and standards. They understand the nursery's strengths and use self-evaluation to identify areas for improvement. Leaders take action when needed. For example, they identified the need to further support staff in managing children's behaviour. They also consider staff wellbeing and workload. Staff feel comfortable sharing ideas, reflecting on their practice and raising concerns.

p.4

Leadership and governance Expected standard

Partnerships with parents are positive. Parents value the care, advice and support they receive, especially during significant changes in family circumstances. Staff share information about children's learning through the app and daily handovers. Most parents feel well informed. However, some would welcome more information about their child's learning and development. Children take part in regular walks in the local community. These experiences help them learn about the world around them and develop their communication skills.

p.4

Leadership and governance Expected standard

Leaders put children's needs first, especially those who are disadvantaged, have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and children facing barriers to learning or are known to social care. They use additional funding well to provide targeted support and promote inclusion. This helps children make progress from their starting points.

p.4

Leadership and governance Expected standard

Leaders work closely with other professionals, including speech and language therapists, SEND advisors, health visitors and social workers. They use advice from these professionals to plan support, assess progress and meet children's individual needs. This joined-up approach helps children access the support they need to learn, develop and thrive.

p.4

Compulsory Childcare Register requirements

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

p.5

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.

p.5

Register

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

p.5

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

Children arrive happy and ready to start their day. They separate from their parents with confidence and quickly join activities and play. Children build close relationships with staff who know them well and respond to their needs. Staff offer comfort, reassurance and support when children need it. As a result, children feel safe, secure and valued. Children who experience changes in their home lives, or who need extra support, receive consistent care that helps them settle and feel that they belong.

p.5

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

Children enjoy a range of learning experiences indoors and outdoors. They explore, investigate and follow their interests with enthusiasm. For example, children used toy dinosaurs to make prints with paint and explored how colours changed when mixed together. Children develop communication skills through songs, stories and conversations. They build early mathematical knowledge as they count and compare and use language such as 'more' and 'less' during play and daily routines. Children enjoy visits into the local community, where they learn about the world around them and talk about their experiences when they return. Outdoors, children climb, balance and explore resources independently, developing physical skills and confidence.

p.6

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

Children achieve from their starting points. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who face barriers to learning receive support that meets their individual needs. For example, children use visual prompts and personalised communication strategies that help them join activities, play alongside their friends and become more independent. Children develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need for their next steps in learning.

p.6

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

Children play alongside their friends and take part in all aspects of nursery life. They learn to take turns, share resources and show consideration for others. Children behave appropriately for their age and stage of development and develop confidence in expressing their ideas, needs and feelings.

p.6

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

Children feel included, supported and cared for. However, staff do not always support activities and routines consistently. This reduces children's engagement and limits opportunities for children to extend their learning, develop independence and strengthen their wellbeing.

p.6

Next steps

Leaders should improve the organisation of mealtimes and transitions so children spend less time waiting, remain engaged in learning, develop independence and benefit from a smoother daily routine. Leaders should strengthen staff practice so they respond promptly to children's needs, deliver activities consistently, explain learning clearly and extend children's thinking through purposeful interactions daily.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with leaders, practitioners, the special educational needs coordinator and assistants during the inspection.

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Address:

Pilton Causeway BARNSTAPLE Devon EX32 7AA

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Address:

Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Address:

Registered person: Ladybirds (Barnstaple) Limited

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Address:

Operating hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 08:00 - 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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0 to 6

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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Exceptional

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

p.8

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.

p.8

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 . Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Urgent improvement

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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