Cracker Jacks Day Nursery

Cracker Jacks Day Nursery 3 Foundry Way, St Neots, PE19 8TR

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 July 2016 Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Staff have a supportive partnership with parents. Parents receive guidance on activities to do at home that extend their children's learning. Parents indicate they are very pleased with the nursery and praise the friendly atmosphere.  Leaders are ambitious for the continued development of the nursery provision. There is a clear focus on extending staff qualifications and making the most of their individual skills.  Children are learning about their own community. They visit local shops and businesses and staff invite visitors into the nursery to broaden children's understanding of the world around them.  Staff working with younger children are kind and attentive. Babies have cuddles and their needs are attended to with sensitivity. Settling-in procedures help all children to develop strong bonds with their carers.  Children's physical development and their understanding of risk are supported exceptionally well as they play on the challenging indoor adventure play equipment.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On a few occasions, staff expectations of what children can achieve during adult-led activities are too high. Staff do not always adapt activities quickly enough so that younger and less-able children can achieve the intended outcome successfully.  Staff do not fully promote children's understanding of mathematics, particularly with regard to numbers, shape and size.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 strengthen staff skills in knowing when and how to adapt and refine the adult-led activities so they are closely matched to the differing abilities of the children taking part  make the most of all opportunities to extend children's interest in, and knowledge of, numbers, size and shape.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching and spoke to staff about how they plan for children's progress.  The inspector looked at the premises and the resources available to the children.  A range of documentation was looked at, including staff suitability and training, some policies and procedures and children's records.  The inspector discussed safeguarding arrangements and safeguarding training with staff and the provider.  Discussions were held with a number of parents and their views and comments were taken into account. The results of a recent parents' survey were looked at.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The provider and her staff are enthusiastic and have worked hard to achieve consistently good teamwork in a short period of time. The highly qualified manager meets with staff regularly and offers expert support and coaching. Children are taught well and their progress is closely monitored to show any areas of delay. Staff work effectively with other agencies to help children who need extra support keep up with the others. The evaluation of the quality of the provision is strong. Staff, children and parents are involved in identifying areas where the nursery could improve the outcomes for children. Safeguarding is effective. All staff attend child protection training and discuss possible scenarios at meetings to develop their confidence. They are aware of the local procedures that help to keep children safe from abuse or neglect.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff teach older children to recognise and write their names. They use novel ways, such as spreading baby cream on a tray, to encourage children to make marks, promoting their enthusiasm well. Creative activities, such as cutting up tinsel and making collage pictures, help children to apply their design skills in imaginative ways. Babies and younger children enjoy using paint, play dough and chalks. They happily pour water in and out of containers, developing their physical control and having fun. Staff have a good understanding of each child and use their interests well to plan experiences that children enjoy. Frequent observations and assessments help to ensure all children achieve their expected milestones.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The relationships between children and staff are strong. Children are confident and happy. They behave well as they are busy individuals who become engrossed in their learning. Staff support children to develop good manners, share and take their turn. The outdoor environments are planned well, with an exciting range of play opportunities. Children plant and tend the vegetable garden and help to harvest the produce for their meals. An extensive outdoor play kitchen encourages children to use their imaginations and explore sand, compost and other natural materials. Staff collect detailed information from parents about children's needs, interests and abilities when they first start. This helps them to plan for children's learning from the outset.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children achieve the key skills they need for school. They demonstrate good levels of independence as they prepare their snacks or put on shoes for outdoor play. Children know the words and actions to favourite songs and sing and dance with confidence. They have assured conversations with adults and express their ideas and feelings well. Older children preparing for school learn what to expect through photographs, stories and meetings with their new teachers.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY482195 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 1001145 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 38 Number of children on roll 63 Name of registered person Splatz Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01480 477515

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reference number

Cracker Jacks Day Nursery was registered in 2014 and is privately owned. It offers funded early years education for eligible two-, three- and four-year-old children. Opening times are 7.30am to 6pm for 51 weeks of the year. The setting employs 14 members of childcare staff including the provider and the manager. The manager holds a relevant qualification at level 6 and eight other members of staff hold qualifications at level 2 and 3. The nursery provides before- and after-school care and a holiday club for older children.

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reference number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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reference number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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