Puddleducks Childcare

Inspection of Puddleducks Childcare 106 High Street, YARM, Cleveland TS15 9AU

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Staff provide many interesting resources and materials for children to explore using all of their senses. For instance, children search for objects beneath a deep layer of sawdust. They choose items to hide in the tray. Children demonstrate their enjoyment and confidence through their broad smiles. Young children show that they feel safe as they approach staff to share toys. They gesture to guide staff to what they want to do. Babies delight in holding puppets while staff sing to them. Children spontaneously recite favourite nursery rhymes and celebrate with a round of applause at the end. Children of all ages enjoy making marks using a wide range of media, including foam, sand, flour and crayons. These experiences help children to practise their early communication and literacy skills. However, during child-led activities, staff occasionally miss opportunities to offer greater challenge in children's learning. Managers do not clearly identify how to target further

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The provision is good

improvements to staff's good teaching skills.

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The provision is good

Overall, staff have high expectations and set simple boundaries for children. For example, children use good manners, saying 'please' and 'thank you' frequently. However, sometimes, children become distracted while waiting, such as at mealtimes or when preparing for a walk. Nevertheless, children generally behave well and are motivated to learn.

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need to do better?

n The provider, manager and staff team have worked hard since the previous inspection to address weaknesses in the provision. For example, supervision and support for staff have been developed. Staff say that they feel their well-being is now prioritised. They work well as a team. Mandatory training needs are rigorously addressed. The managers involve staff in reflecting on the quality of the provision. They identify and make some changes, such as introducing new systems for observation, which leads to more accurate assessments. However, the management team is not as strongly focused on how to build on improvements to the quality of teaching and learning. n Staff work effectively with parents to support continuity in children's learning and development. They provide books for parents to share with children at home. The manager plans to develop more home-learning resources. Parents are positive about their children's care and the flexibility and friendliness of the

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need to do better?

staff. The two-way exchange of information with parents, and also with other settings children attend, helps to promote good outcomes for all children. n Outings into the community help children to understand more about the wider world. For example, staff take children to meet older people in care homes. They take children to visit shops, libraries and waterways, and to parks where they can run around. This helps to develop children's social skills and provides them

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need to do better?

9 January 2020 with fresh air and exercise. Children also benefit from visits from community members, such as police officers and dental workers. n Children are curious to explore everyday objects, such as kitchen utensils and resources made from natural materials, including wood. Staff ensure that they provide a range of experiences across the areas of learning. They encourage children to take the lead in their play. However, occasionally, staff do not maximise opportunities to extend children's learning. For instance, they do not consistently focus precisely on children's individual language development needs during children's chosen activities. n Children acquire basic skills in preparation for their future learning and the eventual move on to school. They serve portions of food at mealtimes, help to put on their coats and shoes, and wash their own hands. However, during some routines, children are not consistently fully engaged and involved with

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need to do better?

appropriate tasks. On occasions, staff miss opportunities to fully promote children's independence. n Staff are positive role models. They offer plenty of praise and encouragement to children. Staff celebrate children's specific achievements and support them to have a go at tasks, such as forming shapes and letters in shaving foam. They read stories to children using different tones and generally ask questions, allowing children time to think and answer. Children practise counting during their play, which helps to build their early mathematical skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider, manager and staff work together to minimise any potential hazards to children. All outings are risk assessed to support children's welfare. For example, children wear high-visibility vests when they go out into the community. They know how to keep themselves safe by following simple rules. For example, children know to hold the handrails as they go down steps and hold hands with an adult or older child when walking. Children are supervised closely at all times. All staff complete regular safeguarding and paediatric first-aid training. They know the signs of possible abuse and how to report any concerns to the appropriate authorities.

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should:

n enrich the planning for child-led activities so that children have more opportunities to make the best possible progress n target the continuous improvement programme to help raise the standards of teaching and learning further, particularly in developing children's communication and language skills n review how routines are used, in order to promote children's independence skills

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should:

9 January 2020 and engagement more effectively.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY461331 Local authority Stockton-on-Tees Inspection number 10094804 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 0 to 10 Total number of places 48 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Puddleducks 106 Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01642791895 Date of previous inspection 31 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Puddleducks Childcare registered in 2013 and is located in Yarm, Cleveland. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an early years qualification at level 5, one holds a qualification at level 4, and four hold qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for three-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The provider and manager explained how different areas of the premises are used for learning. n The inspector spoke to children and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day. n The manager and the inspector carried out and discussed a joint observation of a group activity. n The inspector observed teaching activities in the playrooms and assessed the impact of these on children's learning. n The inspector met with the management team to review documentation, including evidence of staff's suitability and qualifications, and the nursery's self- evaluation.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

9 January 2020 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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