Tiddley Tots Day Care

Inspection of Tiddley Tots Day Care 62a High Street, Sutton, ELY, Cambridgeshire CB6 2RA

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are greeted enthusiastically by the caring and nurturing staff at this 'home-from-home' setting. They show that they feel safe and secure as they settle swiftly and eagerly explore the activities on offer. Children build strong attachments with staff, inviting them into their play and going to them for a cuddle when they need reassurance. With the open-planned setting and excellent relationships with the local primary school, transitions for babies and children to their next stage of early education are seamless.

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The provision is good

Children's physical and emotional well-being is supported. They benefit from a beautifully resourced outdoor garden, which also has a separate area for babies. Children enjoy negotiating the outdoor space on the balance bikes and stopping to look at wildlife through their home-made binoculars.

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The provision is good

Staff respond to young children's first words exceptionally well. They respond to babies' babbles and gestures as they learn to communicate. All children make good progress in their speech and language development. Babies and children develop a love of books as they snuggle up with a member of staff and listen attentively to a story. Children enjoy regular trips to the local library and retell and re-enact stories such as 'We're going on a bear hunt' on regular woodland walks.

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need to do better?

n The ambitious and clear curriculum intent and implementation is embedded securely throughout this inclusive setting. A high priority is given to supporting children's independence and confidence. Babies show determination as they attempt to put on their own shoes and coat before going outdoors to play. Older children relish the responsibility of making their own drinks and washing up their own plates and cups after mealtimes. Staff give meaningful praise for their efforts. Consequently, babies and children become increasingly independent in their personal needs. n Overall, teaching is meaningful. Stimulating resources and activities are age- appropriate. Alongside this, staff encourage sequenced learning where children are building on their existing knowledge. As a result, all children make significant progress in all seven areas of learning. However, occasionally, staff do not make good use all opportunities to extend children's natural curiosity and to learn from

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need to do better?

trial and error. For example, during an adult-led butterfly painting activity, some children were fascinated by mixing different colours together. Staff gently remind them to wash the paintbrush in water to avoid mixing the colours. Children become frustrated as this interrupts their enjoyment. n Parents appreciate daily face-to-face communications with staff about their children's day. In addition, they receive regular photos and written updates of

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need to do better?

6 January 2023 their child's development through an online communication system. Parents praise the 'effective key-person system' and the 'extremely friendly and approachable staff'. Although partnerships with parents are good, staff are not consistent in sharing information on how parents could further support and extend their children's learning and development at home. n Children develop critical thinking skills when staff ask them open-ended questions during their play. Additionally, early mathematics are skilfully integrated into children's everyday play experiences. For example, as children explore the interconnecting cubes, a member of staff asks, 'How do you think you could make the number six?' Children are given time to think of a solution, and then confidently find a corresponding picture card and use this as a guide to build the number 'six' out of cubes. n Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. Children know what is

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need to do better?

expected of them and are kind and respectful. Young children show empathy and care as they give their peers a hug. Children play cooperatively and gain a good understanding of what makes them unique. They are beginning to accept the needs of others with consistent and fair support from staff. n The manager acts with integrity to ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), have full access to their entitlement to an early education. She is reflective, passionate and strives for continuous improvement. This leadership highly motivates and inspires staff to deliver new initiatives.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding is given a high priority and regular risk assessments help to ensure children are kept safe. The manager has extremely clear expectations of staff. All staff have robust safeguarding knowledge and can identify signs of potential abuse and/or neglect. Staff know what action to take if they are concerned about the welfare of a child. Regular safeguarding training is provided for all staff members. Additionally, the manager makes use of scenarios at team meetings to deepen staff's knowledge of wider issues, including grooming and exploitation. The manager ensures that a vigorous, safe recruitment process is in place that involves ongoing suitably checks of staff.

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should:

n enhance opportunities for children to explore their creative ideas and learn from trial and error n build on already good relationships with parents to extend children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2615085 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10264312 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 20 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Tiddley Tots Day Care Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01353 775400 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Tiddley Tots Day Care registered in 2020 and is situated in Sutton, Cambridgeshire. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff, four of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 5pm. The nursery provides funded early education for 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 has taken that into account in the evaluation of the provision. n The nursery manager and the inspector completed a tour of the setting, both indoors and outdoors, to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. Additionally, the manager showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure these are safe and suitable. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this had on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of group activities with the manager. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. Parents and

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Inspection activities

carers shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and also discussed self- evaluation. The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of the staff working in the setting.

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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

6 January 2023 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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