Ducklings Day Nursery

Inspection of Ducklings Day Nursery 170 Attleborough Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 4JW

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children display a strong sense of belonging in this homely and welcoming nursery. They learn to be independent. Babies and toddlers explore and investigate toys and resources that are easily accessible. Two-year-old children learn to put on their coats. Older children are responsible for their coat and bags, which they place on their peg when they arrive. They select their name card and place this on the registration board. All children help themselves to fresh water when they are thirsty.

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The provision is good

Staff create a learning environment where children have tremendous fun. Pre- school children join in various activities linked to 'Mother's Day', such as making cards. They use a variety of tools, including pens, paint brushes, scissors and glue sticks, with precise control. Children talk confidently about their ideas with staff and each other. They are clearly proud of their creations. Children link letters and sounds and can write letters of their name. Children enjoy time together during snack and mealtimes. They learn about healthy eating options and the effect food has on the body. Children comment on why they need to clean their teeth, 'so they don't get dirty and broken'. Children are motivated learners, who develop positive attitudes towards their learning. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n The manager has made significant improvements since the last inspection and has addressed the actions raised. Staff are now provided with regular supervision and the quality of teaching is monitored through observation of staff's practice. Staff receive training, relevant to the needs of the children, as well as useful feedback to help to improve their teaching practice. n The manager has devised a rich, varied and ambitious curriculum that is understood and implemented effectively by all staff. This helps children to develop the skills they need for future learning, including their future move on to school. n The manager and staff have high expectations for all children. Throughout the nursery, staff make regular observations and assessments of children's learning. They use assessment information effectively to plan a wide variety of exciting, ambitious activities and experiences that provide challenge and build on what

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need to do better?

children need to learn next. The manager ensures additional government funding is used for those for whom it is intended. n Support for children with SEND is a strength of the nursery. Staff have targeted plans in place. They work closely with other professionals to help to ensure these children receive the support they need to make the progress they are

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need to do better?

14 March 2023 capable of. Staff adapt activities to ensure they are inclusive. n Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. Consequently, children behave well. Children are kind and caring towards one another. For example, at snack time children collect a cup and plate for their friends. They say 'you first' as they pass over the milk jug. n Children have regular opportunities to play outdoors and engage in physical activities. For instance, children concentrate as they use balance on tyres and plastic crates, which helps them to develop their body strength and coordination. However, staff do not fully promote children's learning potential in the nursery outdoor area, because they have not yet developed the area to help to promote children's skills in all areas of learning. This does not support children who prefer to learn outdoors. n Children look forward to group activities, such as the dance sessions and story

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need to do better?

time. However, on occasions, staff do not take account of the space available when planning these activities, so children cannot always fully engage or at times they lose enthusiasm in the activity. n Staff support children's mathematical development throughout the nursery. Children count confidently in sequence and start to recognise numbers and shapes. n Staff extend older children's learning as they ask them questions that make them think, links to their prior learning and develops their language skills and imagination. Staff help two-year-old children to build sentences. n Babies are settled and content. Staff respond swiftly to their needs to ensure they remain happy and comfortable. Staff in the baby room develop babies' and young children's communication skills effectively. They constantly comment on what they are doing and repeat children's babbles and sounds. This reinforces that their vocalisations are important and supports their language development.

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need to do better?

n Parents are highly complimentary about the nursery. They comment on the progress their children make, in particular with their social skills and speech and language. They talk about the kind and caring staff and how well staff know their children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager has robust recruitment procedures in place to help to deem staff suitable to work with children. Staff and managers have a clear knowledge of the signs and symptoms, which may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They know how to report any concerns, including allegations against those working with children. Daily checks and risk assessments are carried out to identify and remove any hazards, to help to ensure the environment is safe for children to play in. Staff supervise children well. Children learn to keep themselves safe. For example, they learn to handle scissors safely.

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should:

n support staff to enhance the outdoor learning environments to provide learning experiences that are rich, varied and stimulating, particularly for those children who prefer to learn outdoors n review the organisation of the learning environment to help to make sure that there is enough space for children to participate fully in activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY272143 Local authority Warwickshire Inspection number 10244071 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 100 Number of children on roll 74 Name of registered person Buxton, Yvonne

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reference number

Telephone number 02476 341881 Date of previous inspection 10 May 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Ducklings Day Nursery registered in 1997. The nursery employs 13 members of childcare staff, of whom 10 hold early years qualifications at levels 3 to 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays and one week over the Christmas period. Sessions are from 7.30am until 5.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

14 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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