Animal Crackers

Animal Crackers Sandy Hill Farm, Fradley Junction, Alrewas, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire DE13 7DW

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Inspection date 19 August 2019 Previous inspection date 28 September 2017

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision is good

n The nursery is a clean and welcoming environment where children are cared for by highly qualified staff. The manager ensures that all staff are vetted effectively during the recruitment process and that they are all aware of policies and procedures to keep children safe. n Staff plan well for children's learning and assess their development regularly. They provide a wide range of stimulating activities. Staff make effective use of information from observations to work out what children need to learn next. Children make good progress. n Staff manage children's behaviour in effective ways. They agree golden rules with the children and use a calm and consistent approach to managing their behaviour. Children behave in positive ways. n Staff work well with parents. They give them regular updates on their children's daily progress verbally and electronically, and provide good ways for them to support their

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This provision is good

children's learning at home. n Staff prioritise children's safety. For instance, they ensure children play in shaded areas during hot weather to ensure their safety. Staff check the premises and equipment used in all areas of the nursery to protect children from harm, and any concerns are addressed immediately. n Staff develop ways for children to learn about the world through regular outdoor play in the forest school area where they learn about the living world. Younger children enjoy listening to the sounds of metal objects as they bang them to make noises. n Staff do not find out as much as possible from parents about what children already know and can do, to support their learning from the outset. n Staff do not ensure younger children understand the importance of washing their hands to maintain good hygiene.

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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

n consider ways to encourage parents to share more information about what their children can do when they first start n review the arrangements for ensuring younger children begin to develop an understanding of the importance of handwashing.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

n The inspector carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information Ofsted received about this provision. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching indoors and outside, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector spoke to the management team, staff and children, at convenient times. n The inspector spoke to parents during the day and took account of their views. n The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of the staff, confirmation of staff training, recruitment procedures and policies; looked at a selection of children's records; and discussed the self-evaluation process.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff know how to identify and report any concerns they have about a child's welfare. The manager supports staff effectively. She meets with them individually and regularly discusses their work and training needs. Staff attended a course on the outdoor environment and storytelling to enhance the children's learning experiences. The manager monitors the nursery successfully. For instance, she observes staff and discusses ways to improve their practice, and she quizzes them about safeguarding matters. Staff keep a close check on children's progress and put effective plans in place to support those who need extra help. The manager has a good understanding of the nursery's strengths and weaknesses and has clear ideas on how to build ongoing improvements. She attended the 'good to outstanding' workshops. Parents speak highly of the nursery. They say they have a good relationship with staff and that

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

their children enjoy attending. They are happy with the level of information shared with them about their children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have a good understanding of how children learn. They promote all areas of learning well during the play opportunities they plan for children. Staff support children's early mathematical skills well. They teach children mathematical language, such as 'big' and 'small', as they explore different-sized pots and pans. Older children count securely as they pretend to be flying saucers and can count back. Staff teach children good early literacy skills. They read children's favourite stories and encourage their participation in stories well as they act out being characters. Staff explain to children who the author and illustrator of the book are. Staff support children's physical development effectively. Children practise a broad variety of physical skills, such as crawling, jumping and balancing.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff have close, caring relationships with children. They interact positively with children, for example, by smiling, using eye contact and gentle tones of voice. Staff take time to find out about children's interests and activities they like. They use this information to provide familiar routines and enjoyable tasks. Children settle well. Staff teach children good safety awareness. They remind children to walk indoors and they discuss road safety so that children act with care and caution when crossing the road. Children gain good independence skills. Staff support babies and toddlers to learn to do things independently, such as feeding themselves and tidying up. Meals are freshly prepared daily and children are offered good portion sizes. Staff ensure meals are supplied to meet the needs of the children.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make continued progress from their starting points and develop the skills needed for the next stage in their learning and school. Older children are self-assured and talk freely and enthusiastically to staff and visitors about which schools they are going to with excitement. They practise their early mathematical skills, for example, as they count and add small numbers together.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 218403 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10119344 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 1 - 4 Total number of places 86 Number of children on roll 66 Name of registered person Animal Crackers Children's Nursery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 28 September 2017 Telephone number 01283 791030

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reference number

Animal Crackers registered in 1999. The nursery employs 22 members of childcare staff. Of these, 20 hold appropriate early years qualifications, including one member of staff who holds qualified teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm all year round, except for a week at Christmas and all bank holidays. 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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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