Little Doves Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Doves Day Nursery Games Farm, Lower Road, Peldon, Colchester, Essex CO5 7PR

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children show great enthusiasm when they arrive at the nursery and are greeted by staff, who welcome them warmly. The atmosphere is extremely relaxed, homely and calm, and children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. They show incredibly positive attitudes towards their learning. Younger children express delight as they look at books with staff. They enjoy making the noises of the animals and stomping their feet. Older children burst with pride and excitement when they are chosen to play characters in books. They are keen to demonstrate what they know and can do, and show great resilience if they need to persevere to succeed.

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The provision is good

Children develop their independence during daily routines, such as clearing their plates at lunchtime and having a go at putting their boots on. Opportunities for outdoor play are plentiful. In the garden, children run around and ride on bikes. They are hugely respectful of each other and demonstrate excellent social skills. Children's behaviour is exemplary. Younger children play happily alongside their peers, and older children develop friendships. Children take turns, share resources, respect others and use good manners. When they would like their turn to play with a toy, staff teach children to use their voice. Children respond by saying, 'Please can I have..?' They are keen to invite visitors into their play and are confident to talk about their experiences.

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need to do better?

n Staff have extremely high expectations of themselves and the children. They use their expert knowledge and understanding of how children learn to provide exciting, enjoyable and challenging activities. Children use scales to weigh potatoes and carrots. They compare the sizes and weights of the vegetables and sort and count them, showing their skills in measuring and counting. n Staff place significant importance on children developing their independence. As a result, children are extremely confident, independent and motivated learners. However, during some spontaneous learning experiences, staff do not always recognise when to adapt their teaching to enhance opportunities for children and to move their learning on even further. n Staff support children well to learn good hygiene routines, such as handwashing and disposing of used tissues in the bin. When younger children begin to use the toilet, staff encourage them, exceptionally well, to take an active part in their

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need to do better?

own self-care. Children grow and harvest fruit and vegetables. They develop positive attitudes towards trying the foods they have nurtured. n Staff bring stories alive. They are skilful in creating a sense of wonder. They help children to sequence events through the art of storytelling, and every child maintains attention throughout. Staff provide plentiful opportunities for children

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need to do better?

11 November 2021 to participate in retelling stories. Children become confident and able communicators. They receive constant praise for their efforts. This gives children the confidence and desire to try harder. n Children are happy and settled in the nursery, including those who have recently joined. Babies benefit from highly knowledgeable and experienced staff, who regularly gather detailed information from parents to ensure that they can mirror home routines in the nursery. The key-person system is effective. Children have a consistent familiar face when they are new to the setting and develop secure emotional attachments with staff who understand their needs. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Staff work closely with parents to ensure that they meet children's individual needs. Parents speak extremely highly of the owner and staff. They appreciate the efforts staff make to maintain effective

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need to do better?

communication. Parents express how staff have kept in touch with them during the COVID-19 pandemic, for example through emails, phone calls and by setting up virtual links. This contact has helped children to be able to continue their learning by taking part in activities remotely. n The provider leads the nursery with a strong sense of direction. This motivates staff to continually improve their knowledge and skills. The provider values staff as the most important asset of the nursery. Staff are respected and receive extensive recognition for their hard work. The provider continually monitors and reviews the nursery to further improve the ongoing quality. n Older children manage their own risks and understand how to keep safe. For example, when handling scissors, they explain that they are sharp and that they need to be careful.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of what to do if they have concerns about children's welfare. They are able to identify the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. Staff know and follow appropriate child protection procedures and are confident of what to do if they have any concerns about children or staff. The provider follows safer recruitment procedures when employing staff. This helps to ensure that staff are suitable for their roles. The provider ensures that staff attend relevant training to deepen their knowledge of safeguarding issues.

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should:

n support staff to be even more aware of children's spontaneous interests, to move children's learning on even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY561046 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10190965 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Auger, Laura Jane

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reference number

Telephone number 01206 735 979 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Doves Day Nursery registered in 2018. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff and two cooks. Of these, nine staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. 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 nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the nursery. n The provider and the inspector had a learning walk together and discussed how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector carried out joint observations with the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n Parents spoke to the inspector about their children's experiences at the nursery and the information staff share with them. n The inspector held a meeting with the provider. She looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

11 November 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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