Dunkys Day Nursery & Forest School Farnworth

Inspection of Dunkys Day Nursery & Forest School Farnworth 154 Birchfield Road, Widnes WA8 9EF

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are incredibly happy at this beautiful nursery and forest school. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents do not routinely enter the setting. This does not stop children from entering confidently and eager to learn. The environment provides a wealth of opportunities for children to explore, create and be curious. Children skilfully navigate the forest school and direct their own play. They demonstrate a strong sense of belonging here. Children behave very well. They have learned to be respectful, share and take turns with their friends. For instance, older children confidently resolve conflict and negotiate whose turn it is to use the climbing equipment.

p.2

The provision is good

Literacy development is well promoted. Children develop a genuine love of books. They discuss familiar stories, talk about the characters they remember and make links between different books they have read. Skilled staff read with enthusiasm and excitement. Children learn to explore and discuss the content of the story. They share their own thoughts and opinions about what might happen next. Children are motivated and excited as they join in with words and sentences that they remember. They are rapidly developing important skills they need for their move to school.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders provide a curriculum that is balanced, varied and inclusive. They understand the importance of sequential learning and building on what children already know and can do. Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of the different ways that children learn, in particular children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who receive additional funding. Well-embedded systems for monitoring children's development help staff to swiftly identify and address any gaps in learning. All children make good progress in their learning. n Staff work hard to promote children's communication and language development. Babies happily join in with action songs and babble to words they are familiar with. Two-year-old children use a range of vocabulary to discuss the differences between small-world characters. They eagerly point out the colours and characteristics of different toy vehicles. Pre-school children confidently hold

p.2

need to do better?

more complex conversations. They discuss their home life, family members and different emotions. This promotes good speaking skills and helps children to become confident communicators. n Children's physical development is a strength at the nursery. Children are resilient and challenge themselves when navigating the uneven terrain through the stream. They carefully balance as they bend down to fill a container with water before carrying it back to the bridge. Children understand the importance

p.2

need to do better?

9 December 2021 of walking carefully to ensure they do not fall. A range of small natural resources such as twigs, logs and stones help to strengthen children's small muscles as they make marks in the mud. This helps to promote early writing and prepares children for the next stage in their learning. n Children demonstrate a good level of independence and self-care. They confidently self-serve at lunchtime and wash their own faces. Staff teach children the correct way to wash their hands through role modelling alongside them. However, some staff do not consistently wash their own hands after wiping children's noses. This does not help to minimise the potential spread of germs. n The key-person system is effective. Personalised settling-in sessions help staff to get to know children and families well, from the start. Children form strong bonds with staff and enjoy the sensitive interactions they experience. Staff are

p.2

need to do better?

kind and nurturing. They put children at the heart of what they do. This helps children to feel safe, secure and valued. n Leaders are dedicated and care a lot about staff well-being. They frequently check in with staff to ensure they are happy in their role. The arrangements for supervision, coaching and mentoring, although in place, are still in their infancy. New and less-experienced staff are not yet fully supported to strengthen their knowledge and skills. This means there are some inconsistencies in the quality of education. For instance, some staff are not fully aware of how to implement the curriculum intent effectively. As a consequence, not all activities build on children's prior knowledge.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. They are confident with the procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child's welfare or the behaviour of a staff member. Staff are alert to the indicators that a child or family may be a risk of being drawn into extreme behaviours. Procedures for the recruitment and ongoing suitability of staff are robust. Leaders ensure that the environment is safe and secure for children.

p.3

should:

n support staff to consistently follow good hygiene practices and teach children why these are important n strengthen supervision, coaching and mentoring arrangements for new and less- experienced staff to improve their knowledge and skills further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2604915 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10216161 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 44 Number of children on roll 67 Name of registered person Dunkys Day Nurseries Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 0151 317 4001 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Dunkys Day Nursery and Forest School, Farnworth registered in 2020. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff. Of these, 17 hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 2 to level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 their evaluation of the provider. n The manager gave the inspector a tour of the nursery and discussed how the curriculum is planned and implemented. n The inspector observed the quality of education indoors and outdoors and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n Discussions were held with the staff, parents and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n A leadership and management meeting was held with the manager and senior managers. Documentation relating to the suitability of staff was checked. The inspector looked at qualification certificates and paediatric first-aid certificates.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

9 December 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6