Discovery Childcare

Inspection of Discovery Childcare Unit D, Baron Way, Kingmoor Business Park, Carlisle, Cumbria CA6 4SJ

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

The manager and staff are aware of the potential impact that the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has had on children. They recognise that some babies have had less opportunity to engage with others during the national lockdowns and swiftly introduce more gradual settling-in sessions. This helps babies to settle and feel assured in their new surroundings. Children are clearly very happy and thrive in this welcoming nursery. They form a special bond with their caring key person.

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The provision is good

Staff promote children's learning and development well. They provide opportunities for children to 'explore their world, dream big and discover nature'. Babies challenge themselves when walking up and down ramps. They demonstrate an understanding of how to keep themselves safe when holding onto the hand rails. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) maintain attention during stories and complete actions to songs they enjoy. Children enjoy time outdoors in the fresh air. They are imaginative and work together with others to create a 'dragon' using the wide range of available resources.

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The provision is good

Children understand the expectations for behaviour. They show a great deal of care and consideration for others. For example, children hug their friends when they are upset, to help them to feel better. Children play cooperatively and show respect for one another during small group experiences.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide a broad range of challenging experiences that build on what children know and enjoy. For example, to expand on children's love for stories, such as the 'Gingerbread Man', staff create a 'rescue mission' for them to take part in. Children work together as a team to control a parachute and catch the Gingerbread Man as he falls through the air. They squeal with excitement as he bounces up and down and they attempt to keep him safe. n The manager invests highly in her staff team. Supervision meetings focus on prioritising staff's well-being. The manager is quick to obtain additional help, such as specialist therapy, to support staff. This contributes towards staff's positive energy and enthusiasm within the nursery. n Staff are proactive in sourcing early support for children who have SEND. They liaise closely with parents and other professionals and thread advice into children's individual support plans. This helps to close any gaps in their learning.

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need to do better?

n Overall, staff support children's early language development well. For example, staff use effective questioning techniques to encourage older children to identify and name what they see in the environment. However, this is not consistent practice across the nursery. Occasionally, staff working with the youngest children miss opportunities to introduce new language during play and learning.

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need to do better?

24 June 2021 Additionally, staff sometimes speak too quickly, such as when singing songs. This does not fully support all children to build on their range of vocabulary. n Partnerships with parents are superb. Staff continually devise new ways to exchange information about children's learning and progress with parents. For example, following parental feedback, staff have created a 'communication book' to share more complex information with parents about children with SEND. They work together with parents to agree support for each child, such as during periods of transition and to tackle any challenging behaviour. Staff are currently improving their reading library, to further inspire children's early reading at home. Parents express that 'the staff are amazing'. n Children enjoy getting involved in national gardening projects. They eagerly plant fruits, vegetables and herbs and quickly learn that this is where some of

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need to do better?

their healthy food comes from. Staff act quickly to close any gaps in children's physical development. For example, they introduce regular yoga sessions, to help children to develop their core strength and to improve their flexibility. Children remember what has been taught. They kindly offer support to their friends, to help them to master the 'superhero' pose. n The well-qualified staff complete a range of training to promote children's safety and welfare. However, professional development opportunities are not focused equally on helping staff to advance their good knowledge of how to support children to make the highest rates of progress.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff are alert to the indicators of abuse. They have a good understanding of the procedures to follow to protect children's welfare. Staff forewarn children of any dangers such as those associated with using the internet. They teach children about the importance of staying in control and being around a trusted adult. This helps them to gain an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. The manager and staff have taken swift and effective action to minimise any risks when preparing for outings. For example, staff ensure that children are continually supervised as they move between the indoor and outdoor environment. They make sure that children wear safety clothing, such as high visibility jackets, so that they remain seen at all times.

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should:

n support staff working with the youngest children to adopt a more consistent approach in their teaching, that helps children to continue to build on the breadth of their vocabulary n strengthen the focus for professional development and help all staff to gain an

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should:

24 June 2021 even greater knowledge of how to support children's learning further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2537588 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 10197961 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

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inspection

Total number of places 33 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person L & A Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01228672459 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Discovery Childcare registered in 2019 and operates from within a purpose built building on Kingmoor Business Park, Carlisle. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds qualified teacher status, eight hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 and one holds an appropriate qualification at level 2. The nursery is open all year round, from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n This inspection was carried out following the risk assessment process. n The manager and deputy manager led the inspector on a learning walk to show how the nursery is organised and to share information about what they intend for children to learn. n The inspector held discussions with the staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She held a meeting with the manager and deputy manager. n A planned activity was jointly observed and evaluated by the inspector and the manager. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents and took account of their views. n A sample of documents were viewed by the inspector. These included, evidence of the suitability of staff, a record of staff qualifications and training, policies and

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Inspection activities

procedures and health and safety documents.

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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

24 June 2021 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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