Ducklings @ Monkston Park

Inspection of Ducklings @ Monkston Park Monkston Park Community Centre, 10 Pimlico Court, Monkston Park, Milton Keynes MK10 9PN

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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 show excitement and joy as they run into the pre-school and meet their friends and staff. They separate easily from their parents and are keen to join an activity.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy an inviting and spacious environment that is well resourced and organised. Staff ensure that this is ready for children to explore and discover a variety of learning opportunities. For example, children begin to learn to follow instructions from a play dough recipe. They look at the instructions and learn to measure and mix the ingredients.

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The provision is good

Staff offer a wide variety of activities and resources. They keep in mind the needs and interests of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children learn to make choices and move with confidence as they choose where and what they would like to play. They particularly enjoy outdoor play in the snow. Children make tracks with their feet through the snow, following each other as they make patterns.

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The provision is good

Staff support and guide children in developing good attitudes to learning. They celebrate and praise children's achievements. Staff engage with children as they play and follow their interests. Children learn to use language to express their thoughts and feelings, identifying when they are sad and what they can do to feel better.

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need to do better?

n The provider has high ambitions for all children and adapts the curriculum to meet the needs of children with SEND. n Children benefit from meaningful learning across the early years foundation stage curriculum. Staff reflect on what children know and can do and how they can support children to build on their next steps. n Children benefit from a language-rich environment, where staff offer a range of activities and resources that support communication and language development. For example, children particularly enjoy storybooks and rhymes. They participate in predicting what will happen in familiar and favourite stories. n Staff present information clearly to children, promoting discussion. They communicate well with the children and offer a running commentary on what they are doing. At times, they provide a lot of information in quick succession, and children do not have time to process information before new information is

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need to do better?

offered. Staff understand the areas of learning they teach and the way in which young children learn. However, at times, they do not give adequate time for children to recall and apply what they have learned previously to help them form

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need to do better?

9 March 2023 an answer. n Children demonstrate their positive attitudes to learning. They enthusiastically engage in activities with staff and peers. Children focus and concentrate on their chosen activities, listening to their friends and instructions from staff. For example, children work together to explore and discover a range of resources and activities in the sensory den. They talk about the different textures, lights and sounds they see and hear. n Staff nurture and build relationships with children and parents that are positive and respectful. Parent's comment on the close relationships their children have with their key person and how well staff know their children. n Staff provide effective care practices that support children's emotional security. For example, practitioners teach children the language of feelings, helping them to appropriately explore and understand their emotions. n A good key-person system helps children form secure attachments with all staff,

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need to do better?

and this supports their well-being and independence. However, overall, there are inconsistencies in the support for children to develop their independence. While some staff recognise the opportunities that arise to encourage children to master new skills, such as putting on their coats, others complete these tasks for children. n Children learn the importance of healthy lifestyles through the provision of healthy snacks and a range of opportunities for physically active play. Staff give clear, consistent messages to children that support healthy choices around food, rest and exercise. Staff demonstrate how they support children to stay safe online and how they work with parents to share the message.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a secure understanding of how to keep children safe. Staff speak knowledgeably about the 'Prevent' duty and safeguarding issues that are relevant to the local area. Staff are clear about their roles in reporting child protection concerns, and they understand the whistle-blowing policy. Staff can identify signs and indicators of abuse and know how to make referrals in a timely manner. Robust recruitment and supervision processes are in place to ensure the ongoing suitability of all staff working with children.

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should:

n strengthen the arrangements to promote children's independence, to provide a greater consistency n support staff to understand the importance of allowing children time to process information and formulate an answer to questions posed.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY437560 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10264141 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 40 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Ducklings Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07796503761 Date of previous inspection 6 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Ducklings @ Monkston Park registered in 2011 and is situated in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. It is open from 8.45am to 2.45pm on Monday to Friday, during term time only. The provider is in receipt of funding to provide free early years education to children aged two, three and four years. There are five members of staff. Of these, four hold relevant qualifications at level 3.

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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 manager and inspector carried out a learning walk and discussed the curriculum intent. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children. n The inspector gathered parents' views and took them into consideration. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation.

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Inspection activities

9 March 2023 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

9 March 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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