Ducklings Shenley Brook End

Inspection of Ducklings Shenley Brook End Grathwaite Pavillion, Grathwaite Crescent, Shenley Brook End, Milton Keynes MK5 7SB

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children follow a simple and highly effective curriculum that meets their individual needs extremely well. There is an excellent focus on supporting children's communication and language skills. Children enjoy opportunities to immerse themselves in their learning. When mixing materials together to make dough, they are given freedom to explore using their senses. Children rub flour on their face and head as they enjoy the texture and feel. They talk with animated excitement as they work together and share the resources. They pour and fill containers, observing how the mixture changes, guessing what might happen if they add more oil and water. This feeds into children's strong drive to discover new things. Children move the equipment and resources around the room and into the garden as their interest develops and evolves. There is extensive support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff know children extremely well;

p.2

The provision is good

their deep understanding of children's individual needs enables them to provide early targeted support. As a result, all children are making swift progress relevant to their individual starting points.

p.2

The provision is good

Children arrive at pre-school with confidence. They settle quickly and display high levels of resilience and independence as they play. Children have good relationships with their key person and this helps them to feel secure.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff are skilful in engaging children in relaxed and easy conversation as they play. Staff adapt their interactions to ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities have the right level of questioning and communication to meet their needs. As a result, children are developing into confident individuals who use language to express themselves and their ideas. n Being healthy and staying active is part of children's everyday activities. Children visit the local park and make good use of the large outdoor space. Visits from dentists help children to learn about looking after their teeth. This is evident in their play as they talk about feeding dolls healthy carrots that they can 'crunch with their tiny teeth'. n Staff do not consistently teach children about using technology to complement their learning. There are no current plans in place to support young children's online safety and their positive behaviours regarding screen time.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children explore activities with enthusiasm and are engaged and excited by their time at the pre-school. They interact well with each other and are learning about how to share and take turns. n Staff support children's personal, social and emotional development extremely well. Children know about expectations to share and take turns and help each other with activities. There are low noise levels in the pre-school as children are

p.2

need to do better?

23 May 2022 busy and focused on their play and learning. Children behave very well. n Staff are aware of and celebrate children's uniqueness and individuality. The pre-school is vibrant and diverse. Each child has a family book with photos of their important people. They enjoy looking at these and sharing them with others. This helps children to learn about different people that can make up families. n On the whole, the daily routine works well and staff are able to manage the change over periods effectively without disrupting children's learning. However, on occasion activities and experiences have to come to an end while children are still enjoying them. Staff do not always give children notice of this impending change, meaning that they react with frustration. n Partnerships with parents are genuine. Key people form close, professional relationships with parents to help them to get to know children and find out

p.2

need to do better?

about their family life. This helps them plan highly precise and individualised care for children. n Staff put extensive measures in place to support families. Children have opportunity to eat their breakfast when they arrive at the setting. Staff are alert to children who may be living in families experiencing financial difficulty and uncertainty. They provide excellent practical support. In turn, this ensures that children are comfortable and ready for their learning. n The managers work together as an effective and dynamic team who support staff to continually build on their extensive knowledge and skills.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The managers operate a thorough induction for new staff. This helps to ensure that staff who work with children are knowledgeable of their role and responsibility in relation to keeping children safe. Staff are alert to signs that indicate that children might be at risk of harm and know how to report any such concerns to the local safeguarding partners. Staff supervise all children closely, particularly when they eat, to help keep them safe. Staff manage mealtimes safely and effectively for children with food allergies and intolerances. Staff use risk assessments to identify, minimise or remove any hazards and to ensure that the premises are secure and safe for children.

p.3

should:

n increase opportunities for children to learn positive behaviours towards using technology and developing healthy attitudes towards screen time n help to prepare children better for changes in the daily routine, especially when they are highly engrossed in activities.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2538395 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10214773 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 56 Name of registered person Ducklings Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07838402197 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Ducklings Shenley Brook End registered in 2019 and operates from a pavilion in Shenley Brook End. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 12 noon and 12 noon until 3pm. The pre-school 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 inspector discussed the curriculum intent and observed the quality of its implementation during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed and discussed with the duty manager. n During the inspection, the inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at suitable times throughout the inspection. n Parents were invited to share their views with the inspector. Several parents discussed their views during the inspection and the inspector took account of all

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

23 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.

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