Whipper-snappers Daycare Nursery and Kids Club

Inspection of Whipper-snappers Daycare Nursery and Kids Club Felmoor Farm, Braintree Road, Felsted, Dunmow, Essex CM6 3EF

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children are happy and confident in the nursery. They part from their parents and carers with ease and skip to their rooms to join their friends. Older children support younger ones, helping them to access resources and complete tasks. They show kindness and respect towards each other. Children understand the nursery boundaries and follow the routines well. For example, they understand the importance of good handwashing, before sitting down with their friends to enjoy a snack or meal together. Children thoroughly enjoy the nutritious, freshly cooked food and regularly ask for seconds.

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The provision is good

Babies have secure relationships with their key person and other staff working in the room. They enjoy cuddles and respond with happy noises and single words to staff's interactions with them. Babies practise their developing walking skills as they toddle around the garden and enjoy sitting with their key person to listen to a story outside. Children make good progress from their starting points. They are supported in their learning by key persons who know them well and plan effectively for their next stages of development.

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need to do better?

n The management team have worked hard since the last inspection to address the actions raised. They have formed a health and safety committee who look at and address any relevant issues across the nursery. The arrangements for staff supervision have been strengthened to provide leaders with a greater understanding of their training needs, working practices and home life. Staff have completed a wide range of training to help to raise the quality of teaching and learning further. n Parents spoken to, and those who shared their views in writing, talk about the superb management and staff. They say how happy their children are to attend the nursery. Parents comment that there are effective methods of communication, which allows them to play a full and active role in their children's learning. n Staff gather detailed information from parents about their children, which enables them to tailor care routines to meet their needs. For example, staff

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need to do better?

know when babies and younger children are hungry or when they need to sleep. n Children's literacy skills are effectively promoted throughout the nursery. Staff help children to foster a love of books, providing a wide range in every room. Staff read to the children in a fun and animated way, encouraging them to join in at their favourite parts. n Children enjoy participating in physical play experiences. For example, they ride bikes around the road track, making sure they stop at the zebra crossing for their friends to walk across the road. They enjoy learning outdoors in all kinds of

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need to do better?

6 August 2021 weather and shriek with excitement when a downpour of rain soaks their clothes. n Older children are provided with opportunities to guide their own learning and develop their independence. However, younger children have fewer chances to develop this aspect of their learning. For example, creative play resources are stored on a shelf unit that is not always accessible. In addition, younger children have few opportunities to participate in the preparation of snack, pouring their own drinks or serving meals. n Staff encourage children to play outside throughout the day in one of the enclosed gardens. However, they do not ensure that there are a wide range of opportunities to support children who learn better outdoors. n During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic lockdowns, managers stayed in regular contact with all of the families who were not able to attend the nursery. They sent parents ideas for children's learning at home and staff read stories,

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need to do better?

which were shared by video link. On return to full working, managers and staff have focused on supporting children by building their emotional skills and helping them to feel safe and secure. Managers have supported the staff team, for example with more effective communication, treats and an understanding of their individual circumstances.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff demonstrate very good knowledge of their responsibilities with regards to safeguarding children. They regularly update their safeguarding knowledge, for example through face-to-face and online training. Managers raise safeguarding as an agenda item at all staff and individual supervision meetings. New staff undergo thorough recruitment procedures to assess their suitability before being appointed. They complete a rigorous induction programme, which prepares them for their role within the nursery and informs them of the nursery's safeguarding procedures.

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should:

n strengthen opportunities for younger children to develop their independence n develop the planning of outdoor activities to fully support those children who learn better outside.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 402288 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10129725 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 140 Number of children on roll 98

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Name of registered person

Whipper-snappers Day Care Nursery Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01371 821131 Date of previous inspection 17 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Whipper-snappers Daycare Nursery and Kids Club registered in 2004 and operates all year round. The nursery employs 30 members of childcare staff. Of these, 27 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including five at level 6 and four with early years teacher status. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6.30pm, and the kids club operates from 7.30am to 8.30am and from 3.15pm to 6.30pm. During school holidays the club operates from 7.30am until 6.30pm.

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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 her evaluation of the provider. n The inspectors viewed all areas of the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The provider and head of early years led the inspectors on a learning walk and talked to the inspectors about what they want children to learn. n Children shared their views with the inspectors. n The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspectors carried out joint observations of group activities with the head of early years. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspectors.

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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

6 August 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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