Squirrels Day Nursery Corby Ltd

Inspection of Squirrels Day Nursery Corby Ltd Hazelwood Neighbourhood Centre, Gainsborough Road, CORBY, Northamptonshire NN18 0QF

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Staff follow the setting's ethos and are committed to understanding each child and supporting them to use their unique characteristics to become enthusiastic, confident learners. This inspirational approach shines through in children's positive attitudes, energetic eagerness and ability to interact. Children start each session with a bubbling enthusiasm, competently channelling their energy to explore and play. For example, they use pipettes to mix colours, comparing the different shades and working out that primary colours can be mixed to make further colours. Children's behaviour is exceptional. They receive sensitive support to resolve any disputes.

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The provision is outstanding

Children quickly acquire new skills. For example, older children develop physical skills as they move in time to music. Staff challenge them further as they give each child small sticks. Children handle these carefully, allowing each other plenty of space. They follow complex instructions as they tap in time to the beat and continue to move their legs. They show their excellent understanding of positional language as they tap the sticks to the right, front and behind. Staff respect children's views and help them express these. For instance, babies point to simple props to indicate which song they would like.

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The provision is outstanding

Children learn about healthy lifestyles. For example, they recognise when they need to rest, settling in cosy corners and reading. Staff have an excellent understanding of the possible effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns. They offer highly pertinent support to help children play cooperatively.

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need to do better?

n Senior staff are unwavering in their ambition to offer children the very best start. Their commitment inspires staff, helping them to ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language, access an innovative curriculum. n Managers value staff, using excellent procedures to support their well-being and to aid staff in developing their practice even further. All staff have an excellent understanding of how each child prefers to learn and what they need to learn next. Their exemplary planning and effective use of additional funding ensures that all children have exciting opportunities that aid them in making exceptional progress. Remarkably robust monitoring ensures that any gaps in children's learning are swiftly noted and addressed. n Staff build strong partnerships within the community and with other professionals. They share information, ensuring that children receive consistent,

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need to do better?

well-planned support that aids them in making the best possible progress. Managers' astute understanding of the nursery community enables them to offer

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need to do better?

31 August 2022 highly sensitive, precisely tailored support to families. This has a positive impact on children and means they feel included, respected and valued. n Children participate in national and local events, helping to increase their understanding of the wider world and inspiring their curiosity. They research birds and keep a record of the ones they see in the garden. They work with staff to enter this information onto a website to participate in a national birdwatch. This interest continues and staff help children to carry out a 'mini-beast safari', look at life cycles of insects, plant seeds and investigate how our activities affect our environment. n Staff are highly aware of how children learn and offer them numerous opportunities to practise their skills. For example, younger children work with staff to sort out big and little dinosaurs. Staff check they understand this and offer children different beakers. They eagerly sort these according to size.

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need to do better?

Children then take their learning into their play, competently telling each other which is the big spoon and small saucepan as they play in an outdoor kitchen. n Children of all ages are expertly supported in developing their communication skills. Babies use simple signs to aid their early communication, for example, signing when they need to wash their hands before eating. Two-year-old children competently describe the shapes they are making with coloured dough. Staff make excellent use of prompt cards to help children communicate. This particularly supports children who speak English as an additional language and they make swift progress in learning English. n Children develop a love of books. They eagerly select their favourite story basket and listen intently as staff read, delighting in using the puppets and props to predict the next section or retell the story. n Parents speak highly of the nursery. They report that communication is excellent

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need to do better?

and they are offered practical support in building on their child's learning. They value the staffs' care in getting to know the children and state, 'This is a place that understands children and loves them for themselves'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff have an in-depth knowledge of safeguarding. They have an excellent understanding of their local area and the current safeguarding concerns that can affect children and their families. Staff regularly update their safeguarding knowledge. They know how to recognise any concerns about children's welfare and report these swiftly to the appropriate professional. Staff understand further risks, such as involvement with extreme practices and the potential dangers associated with use of the internet. They take appropriate action to protect children at all times.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY356271 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10138492 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 63 Number of children on roll 47 Name of registered person Squirrels Day Nursery (Corby) Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01536 505307 Date of previous inspection 14 October 2014

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Information about this early years setting

Squirrels Day Nursery Corby Ltd registered in 2007. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one who has early years professional status. 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.

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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, the nursery manager and the floor manager carried out a learning walk across all areas of the setting to discuss and understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspector observed staff interaction with children during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager. Meetings were held between the inspector, the nursery manager and the floor manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and saw evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate

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Inspection activities

times during the inspection and took account of their views. She also viewed written feedback from parents.

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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

31 August 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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