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St. Michael's Nursery in Barnstaple

Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2022)
·
4.2(5 parent reviews) ·Bickington Road, Sticklepath, Barnstaple, EX31 2DB · Devon
Number of places
77 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2022
Local authority
Devon

About this day nursery

St. Michael's Nursery, located in Barnstaple, Devon, was registered in 2013 and offers full-day care for children aged 0 to 4. Their last Ofsted inspection on October 26, 2022, rated them 'Good' in all areas, maintaining their previous 'Good' rating.

The nursery operates weekdays, 50 weeks a year, from 8 am to 6 pm, and receives funding for free early education for two, three, and four-year-olds. The dedicated team of 26 staff, including a cook, ensures a stimulating environment where children benefit from a sequenced curriculum focused on communication and social skills, effectively preparing them for school.

The nursery places a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, with children enthusiastically exploring an extensive outdoor area that supports physical activity and appropriate risk-taking. Strong links with local schools further support children's transition to primary education.

What it's like

Children benefit from a sequenced curriculum focused on developing communication and social skills, preparing them effectively for school. They develop trusting attachments with caring staff and are excited to explore the extensive outdoor area. All children, including those with SEND, make good progress.

Good Ofsted ratingStrong school linksOutdoor learning focusDedicated staff teamSequenced curriculum

Key facts

Opening hours

open each weekday, for 50 weeks of the year, from 8am to 6pm

Term time / All Year

All_year

Established

2013

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for St. Michael's Nursery

Last inspected 26 October 2022

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Children benefit from a sequenced curriculum focused on developing communication and social skills, preparing them effectively for school. They develop trusting attachments with caring staff and are excited to explore the extensive outdoor area. All children, including those with SEND, make good progress.

Inspector highlights

  • Children benefit from a sequenced curriculum. This focuses on developing the children's communication and social skills during each stage of their time at the setting, preparing them effectively for school.
  • The setting has established very strong links with the local schools. They invite teachers to take part in an event that parents can attend before applying for school places.
  • Children develop trusting attachments with the caring staff, who attend to their individual needs well.
  • Children are excited to explore the setting, including the extensive outdoor area that has been very well developed to support their learning and development across all areas of learning.
  • All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress in the setting.
  • Children are encouraged to develop a keen interest in the world around them.
  • Staff share books and stories in an engaging way, and children listen intently.
  • Parents are very happy with the service the nursery provides and praise the staff for their impact on their children's learning and development.

Areas to develop

  • 1Further develop the quality of teaching to a consistently high standard throughout the setting.
  • 2Identify targets for improvement for staff as part of their continued professional development.
Inspection #10236189 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress in the setting. The special educational needs and disabilities coordinator (SENDCo) provides targeted support for children who require it and ensures timely referrals are made to outside agencies. This helps all children to achieve their full potential.

Outdoor space

Children are excited to explore the setting, including the extensive outdoor area that has been very well developed to support their learning and development across all areas of learning. They are physically active in their play and encouraged to take appropriate risks as they balance, climb and use tools. Older children use tweezers and spades safely, showing good levels of control. Babies and toddlers enjoy learning to catch and throw balls as they play outside.

EAL / language support

Children who speak English as an additional language can take home dual-language books to share with their parents, helping them understand and value diversity.

Parent Reviews of St. Michael's Nursery

4.2
(5)
Samantha Penny
11 years ago

Quite simply an outstanding nursery with exceptional staff. Our children have attended St Michaels' nursery over the last 8 years and the quality has been consistently excellent. I couldn't imagine entrusting anyone else with my children as their experiences are so enriching varied and full of fun and support. I couldn't recommend this nursery highly enough.

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S J
a year ago

Attentive and dedicated staff who look after the children with so much care. My little boy loves how much outdoor activities and play they have too.

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Pieter Dancet
7 years ago

Great nursery with good staff close to Barnstaple centre

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for St. Michael's Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: October 2013

  • January 2017Good
  • October 2013Good

Frequently asked about St. Michael's Nursery

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