Ducklings Pre-School

Ducklings Pre-School 18 Welford Road, Creaton, NORTHAMPTON, NN6 8NH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 November 2017 2 March 2017

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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

 The manager has successfully addressed the actions and recommendations raised at the previous inspection. She is ambitious and hard-working. Together with her team, she reflects continuously on the provision offered and clearly identifies areas for ongoing development.  Children are safe and well supervised. Staff deploy themselves effectively throughout the setting, indoors and outside. It is evident that staff have worked very hard to support children's positive behaviour in the setting.  With the support of the manager, staff have improved the way they assess and monitor children's progress within the setting. Staff know children well and clearly identify the areas of development and focus for each of their key children. Children are making good progress in their learning and development.  Parents report that their children are happy and settled at the setting. They say that staff deal with any behaviour concerns positively and proactively. They report that their

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This provision is good

children have made excellent progress since they started at the setting.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The manager does not focus enough on evaluating the quality of individual staff's teaching, so that this information can be used to further support their continued professional development.  The manager does not fully explore how the early years pupil premium funding can be best used so that individual children make the greatest possible progress.

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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

 monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching more precisely to identify ways of providing children with consistently outstanding learning experiences  analyse further how to best use the early years pupil premium funding and assess the impact it has on the outcomes for children, so that all children's learning is promoted to the highest possible level.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with the manager, staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector looked at a wide range of documentation including the suitability of staff and committee members, accident and incident reports and children's learning records.  The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views by reading written testimonials.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager leads her team confidently, offering regular opportunities for them to receive support in their job role. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff understand who to contact if they are concerned about a child's welfare. Rigorous recruitment procedures are implemented to ensure that staff and committee members are suitable to work with children. Staff regularly review equipment and resources to ensure the setting is safe for children. For example, the outdoor area has recently been improved with the addition of all-weather surfacing to minimise the risk of children slipping in wet weather. The manager and staff monitor children's individual achievements and their ongoing progress. The manager monitors different groups of children and identifies areas for development. This has led to a recent focus on promoting children's small-muscle skills.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Well-qualified staff plan a wide range of interesting and challenging activities for children to enjoy. Many children choose to play outside for extended periods of time, clambering confidently on the climbing frame and investigating the well-equipped outdoor area. Children change their clothing according to where they want to play, confidently putting on and taking off shoes, coats and wellington boots. Children also enjoy regular forest school sessions in a nearby woodland. Here, they have opportunities to build dens and discover resident bugs and insects. Staff work in partnership with parents to support children's speech and language development. For example, children are encouraged to pull funny faces in the mirror at home to support the development of their facial muscles. Staff share regular observations and assessments of children's learning with parents so that they are fully informed of their children's progress and development.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children settle quickly into this friendly and welcoming environment. Staff understand the importance of supporting children's well-being. They have worked hard to establish behaviour expectations with the current cohort of children. Children use sand timers to help them take turns when using resources. Staff skilfully step in when needed to prevent any behaviour escalating, and encourage children to work together positively. Staff support children to learn about healthy eating. They have recently introduced a recipe bag for children to take home and share with their parents.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are well prepared for the transition to school. They are able to name and understand their emotions when communicating with their friends and peers. Children listen attentively while staff read a story. Their speech and language skills develop quickly while they are at the setting.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY483221 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 1088458 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Creaton Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 2 March 2017 Telephone number 01604 505172

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reference number

Ducklings Pre-School re-registered in 2015. The pre-school operates from the grounds of Great Creaton Primary School, Northampton. The pre-school employs eight members of staff, four of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. Two members of staff also hold early years teacher status. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. The pre-school receives funding to provide early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The pre-school supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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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