CHILDREN feel “safe, valued and well cared-for” at Pippins Pre-School in Crediton, Ofsted has said in its latest inspection.

The education watchdog described the Market Street day care for children aged zero to five as “warm and caring” after a visit on August 20.

Across the areas of achievement, behaviour, welfare and curriculum the pre-school met the “expected standard” and was of a “strong standard” for inclusion and leadership.

“Children enjoy exploring, playing and learning throughout the day,” Ofsted said.

“Children make good progress because staff understand their individual needs and provide help when needed.

“Those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who face barriers to their learning receive support that helps them build confidence, improve communication and become more independent.”

Children also “build positive relationships” with staff, and staff and families “work together to support learning and development”, the education watchdog said.

“Leaders promote routines and expectations that help children feel safe, settled and ready to learn,” Ofsted continued.

“Leaders support staff to create a calm and welcoming environment where children know what to expect throughout the day.

“Children generally behave well and have positive relationships with adults and their peers.

“Staff use praise, routines and visual supports to promote positive behaviour.

“Children attend regularly and benefit from leaders' oversight of attendance. Leaders work closely with families to promote the importance of regular attendance and provide support when concerns arise.”

As for children’s care needs, Ofsted said they were “met well”, but staff did “not always follow policies and procedures consistently”.

“For example, there are occasional inconsistencies in staff deployment and handwashing routines before mealtimes,” the education watchdog said.

“Leaders recognise that greater consistency in staff organisation and food hygiene will further improve children's safety, wellbeing and overall experience at the setting.”

Leaders have created a “broad curriculum that builds on children's interests and supports learning across all areas of development”, but “some staff do not support children's learning consistently well”.

“For example, sometimes, staff interactions do not always provide enough opportunities for children to engage in sustained back-and-forth conversations,” Ofsted said.

Staff provide a “wide range of interesting activities that encourage children to explore, play and learn”, Ofsted said.

“Children enjoy learning experiences that help them develop knowledge and skills across all areas of learning. Staff know children well and adapt activities to meet their needs and stages of development. This helps most children join in, learn and make progress from their starting points.”

To improve, Ofsted said Pippins Pre-School leaders should “develop all staff's understanding of the curriculum so they can plan and deliver children's learning and next steps”; “improve consistency in staff organisation and hygiene routines to further support children's safety and wellbeing”; and “continue to build staff confidence in managing children's behaviour so that children engage fully in learning and make good progress”.

Pippins Pre-School is located in Market Square House, Market Street, Crediton, EX17 2BN. It was established more than 50 years ago.

You can read the full report by visiting: reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2556851.