Little Ducklings

Little Ducklings Murdoch House, Hemingfield Road, Barnsley, S73 0LY

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 February 2018 21 March 2014

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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 and staff work well with other professionals to promote children's learning and development. Additional funding is used effectively to target extra support for children.  Staff help children to extend their mathematical skills. They encourage children to recognise the shapes of objects and ask them to compare sizes.  Older children are well prepared for their move on to school. They talk confidently and develop good social skills during mealtimes.  The manager accurately monitors individual and groups of children's progress. She uses this information to discuss with staff, ways in which they can help close any gaps in children's learning. For example, older children are supported to manage their feelings.  Staff use strategies to help children to make good progress in their levels of understanding. Small-group activities encourage older children to develop their listening and attention skills.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not involve parents enough, to help identify children's achievements and what they already know and can do when they first start.  The arrangements for performance management are not always focused precisely enough on the quality of staff teaching, to continually identify areas for enhancement.

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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

 gather more information from parents about children's achievements and prior learning to help staff plan more precisely for children's already good progress  find more ways to evaluate, monitor and review the quality of teaching and help staff to continually reflect on ways to promote children's learning to the highest levels.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. All staff have completed child protection training and are aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse. They feel confident to report any concerns they may have regarding children's welfare. Staff complete a written report of children's progress between the ages of two and three years. They share this with parents and health professionals to promote children's learning and development. Staff interact with parents daily and share information about what children are learning in the nursery. The manager invites parents to reflect on the nursery provision. Events, such as sports days, are arranged for parents and children to attend. Recent changes to children's group times, help them to develop their listening and attention skills.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff observe and monitor children's progress to help them identify how to plan for their next steps in learning. They have targeted plans in place to support children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff sing songs with children and use sign language to represent the days of the week. They display photographs of children's family members. This helps children to learn about diversity. Staff encourage children to be physically active and to join in actions to songs, such as lifting their legs and putting their arms in the air. Outdoors, staff help older children to develop their imagination. They help them to act out and follow a story, supporting their literacy skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Effective settling-in sessions help children to feel safe and emotionally secure. Children who attend regularly, settle quickly and form strong relationships with staff. Parents comment positively about the good relationship their children have with their key person. Children learn about their immediate community. Staff take them for walks to look at different structures. They encourage parents to continue children's learning by taking their children to the local park and providing story books. Staff promote children's independence well. They provide opportunities for children to select resources to support their interests. Children serve themselves food, helping them to manage portion sizes. Children behave well. Staff remind children about positive behaviours, such as to be kind, to share and to take turns. They give them gentle reminders to use good manners.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those in receipt of funding, make good progress in their learning. Younger children solve problems when they use toy screwdrivers to turn screws. Children confidently explore media and materials. They use brushes and rollers to paint and manipulate dough. Babies explore through their senses, for example, when they smell and feel the texture of cereal.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY442316 Local authority Barnsley Inspection number 1088133 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 - 6 Total number of places 100 Number of children on roll 103 Name of registered person Little Ducklings Child Care Barnsley Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 21 March 2014 Telephone number 01226 755 789

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reference number

Little Ducklings registered in 2012. The nursery employs 21 members of childcare staff. Of these, 14 hold appropriate early years qualification at level 3, three at level 4 and two at level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old 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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