The Willows Day Nursery (Chatteris) Ltd

Inspection of The Willows Day Nursery (Chatteris) Ltd 8 Station Road, CHATTERIS, Cambridgeshire PE16 6AG

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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

Children are happy and safe. They thrive in the welcoming, calm and caring environment. For instance, babies enjoy a gentle back rub from staff, as they drift off to sleep listening to soothing music. Children settle quickly and build close attachments to staff. Children's emotional well-being is supported exceptionally well. For example, staff share family photo books with young children and cuddle them close as a distraction when they become upset. They notice when children are on their own and facilitate them to join in with others. Children behave well. They understand routines and follow instructions well. Staff model good manners and taking turns. They praise children for sharing and being kind.

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The provision is good

Staff provide a sensory-rich environment for children to explore. For example, babies squash slime and glittery water in sensory bags with their hands. Older children create patterns in dough, using a variety of tools and natural materials. Staff engage in children's play and extend their learning. For instance, they demonstrate the pull of magnets and show younger children how to join construction pieces together. Mealtimes are sociable with staff sitting and eating with the children. They chat freely about the foods they eat at home and enjoy second helpings. Children build links with their local community. For example, children regularly visit a local care home where they recently sang Christmas carols to the residents.

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need to do better?

n Staff focus on supporting children's communication and language well. They provide small group activities to develop children's listening and attention skills. Children engage in action rhymes and listen carefully to stories. Staff encourage children to interact with books by lifting flaps and turning pages. They comment on younger children's actions. Staff name textures as children explore touch and feel books. Staff use sign language, alongside words, with younger children to support their communication. n Children have plenty of opportunities throughout the day for fresh air and exercise. They enjoy exploring the well-organised outdoor spaces. Children practise pedalling, throwing, catching and digging. Staff set physical challenges. For example, they ask children to consider ways to move through hoops by using large and small jumps. n Children learn about mathematical concepts. For instance, they learn about

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need to do better?

shape, space and measure through a variety of experiences, such as baking, puzzles, playing in sand and the mud kitchen. Children enjoy filling and emptying their buckets. This helps them to develop their understanding of weight and volume. Staff encourage children to problem-solve as they find ways to transfer water to different areas of the garden.

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need to do better?

19 December 2022 n Staff help children to become independent in managing their self-care needs in a variety of ways. For example, babies are shown how to load their spoons and feed themselves at mealtimes. Older children wash their hands prior to snack time and serve themselves a range of healthy food choices. Staff teach children how to chop and slice food and pour themselves milk. Children access tissues to wipe their nose when needed and dress themselves for outdoor play. n Parents speak very highly of the nursery. They appreciate the lengths the staff go to in order to keep them informed of their children's progress. Parents value the individualised settling-in procedure they are offered. This includes the messages of reassurance they receive from their child's key person when they first attend. Parents comment that their children enjoy their time at the setting. They describe staff as 'welcoming' and 'friendly' and refer to the nursery as a

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need to do better?

'second home' to their children. n The manager values her staff. She focuses on their mental well-being and provides regular opportunities to discuss their workload and concerns through supervisory meetings. In addition, staff attend monthly meetings and share their ideas for improving the provision. Staff say they feel very well supported in their roles. The manager ensures that they have regular opportunities for training based on their professional interests. However, the manager has not sought further ways to help all staff develop a deeper knowledge of teaching and learning in order to raise the quality of their practice further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager ensures that all staff working with children understand their roles and responsibilities for safeguarding. Staff receive regular supervision. The manager creates quizzes as part of staff meetings to make certain that staff remain secure in their understanding of the nursery's policies and procedures. All adults can identify the signs and symptoms of abuse, including signs that children may be at risk from extreme views or behaviours. They are confident in their knowledge of female genital mutilation. Risk assessments are rigorous and staff are deployed effectively. Effective systems are in place for children with allergies ,and details of these are shared with all staff.

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should:

n build on the already good practice and seek further ways to help all staff develop first-rate teaching skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY487351 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10236633 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 130 Name of registered person The Willows Day Nursery (Chatteris) Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01354 461232 Date of previous inspection 16 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The Willows Day Nursery (Chatteris) Ltd registered in 2015. It is situated in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 2 or above. This includes the manager, who also holds a level 5 qualification. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. 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 manager and taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what she wants the children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, both indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

19 December 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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