Ducklings Pre-School

Inspection of Ducklings Pre-School Methodist Church Hall, North Square,Chickerell, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 4DX

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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 Good

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The provision is good

The kind and caring staff welcome the children warmly as they arrive. Children enter the pre-school happily, and confidently separate from their parents. They greet their friends excitedly, and quickly become engaged in activities of their choice. Children have tremendous fun as they mix flower petals, leaves and water to make 'perfume'. They develop their hand-to-eye coordination as they carefully scoop up water and transfer it to bottles. Children have many opportunities to develop their early drawing and writing skills. Younger children paint enthusiastically and older children learn to write their names. Staff skilfully weave mathematical language and counting throughout routines and play. This supports children's early mathematics skills successfully.

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The provision is good

Children feel safe and secure. Staff form strong bonds with them and give them plenty of praise. This supports children's emotional well-being effectively. Children behave well and have high levels of confidence. They learn to take turns and respond well to guidance and gentle reminders from staff. Parents complete 'wow' certificates for their children at home. Children bring these into the pre-school to share with staff and are immensely proud of their achievements.

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need to do better?

n The dedicated manager and stable staff team have high expectations for all children. They work very closely together and provide an ambitious and well- sequenced curriculum. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress from their individual starting points. n Staff place a strong focus on developing children's speech and language. They use books and games to encourage children's attention, listening skills and communication. Staff introduce new words to extend children's vocabulary. Children name insects and eagerly join in with favourite rhymes and songs. They become increasingly confident speakers. n Partnerships with parents are good. Staff update parents on their child's progress through daily conversations and an online system. They help parents to extend children's learning at home by, for example, lending story and activity packs. Following changes in COVID-19 restrictions, staff have begun to invite

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need to do better?

parents in to the setting again, for instance for 'movie time' with their children. Parents comment that staff are 'amazing'. n Staff teach children about oral health effectively. They invite the local dentist to talk to children about why brushing their teeth is important. Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise. They love moving their bodies in different ways during dance sessions with a visiting dance teacher. Children giggle with delight as they chase bubbles. They demonstrate increasing coordination and

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need to do better?

11 May 2022 control as they practise their 'star jumps'. n The manager establishes strong partnerships with other professionals. For example, staff work closely with the local school. They teach letter sounds to the children in the same way as the school. This helps to ensure consistency in children's learning. Staff support children with SEND well. The special educational needs coordinator makes timely referrals to external agencies, where necessary, to help address any gaps in children's learning. n Staff support children well to be independent learners. They teach children to put on their own coats and encourage them to do this by themselves. Children pour their own drinks and thoroughly enjoy carrying out small tasks of responsibility such as putting their plates away in a washing up bowl. n Staff have an in-depth knowledge of each child and assess their progress accurately. They plan interesting small-group activities to build on what children

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need to do better?

know and can do. However, occasionally, staff do not ensure that there are sufficient resources to enable all children to gain the best experience from activities. This means that some children lose interest. n The manager has a clear vision for the setting and is passionate about her role. She strives towards continual improvement and involves staff, parents and children in the process. The manager offers supervision meetings to support staff practice. However, she has not fully embedded opportunities for staff to learn from each other and enhance the quality of teaching to the highest level.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a thorough knowledge and understanding of child protection, including aspects such as the risks to children from being exposed to extreme views. They demonstrate a good understanding of the signs and symptoms that a child may be at risk of harm. The manager and staff complete regular safeguarding training to keep their knowledge up to date. All staff have completed paediatric first-aid training. This ensures they can support children in the event of an accident. Staff carry out risk assessments daily to ensure the pre- school is a safe place for children to play.

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should:

n support staff to plan activities more effectively and ensure there are sufficient resources so that all children gain the best possible learning from planned activities n enhance existing arrangements for monitoring practice that help staff to learn from each other, to improve their practice even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 140990 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 10234213 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 21 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Ducklings Pre-School Chickerell Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01305 766920 Date of previous inspection 8 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Ducklings Pre-School registered in 1990. It operates from a church hall in Chickerell, Dorset. The setting is open Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 2.45pm, during term time only. There are six members of staff. Of these, four hold a qualification at level 3 and one holds level 2. The setting receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the pre-school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together of an activity. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff and committee members.

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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 May 2022 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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