Ducklings @ Didsbury

Inspection of Ducklings @ Didsbury Didsbury Methodist Church, Sandhurst Road, Manchester M20 5LR

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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 safe, secure and happy in this nursery. Staff use the space creatively, ensuring that children access a variety of different resources to support their learning. Upon arrival, children are eager to seek out their favourite toys and find out what new experiences they will have that day. Staff encourage children to talk about what they have been doing at home and quickly support any emerging interests.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of behaviour and encourage children to try their best. Children take pride in their behaviour and remind each other of the rules. Staff celebrate children's achievements, such as using new vocabulary or showing kindness to a friend. Children benefit from a well-planned curriculum that covers all areas. For example, learning is organised around a chosen book, such as 'The Three Little Pigs', which promotes a love of reading. Children develop muscles and control as they mix play dough to make their own little pigs. They use real materials, such as straw, and count out sticks to build houses as they use the new vocabulary that they have learned from the story.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide children with a good foundation for future learning. For example, children learn to solve problems and work with others as they build a wall using shaving foam and soft bricks. They learn to count by finding different farm animals in a spaghetti sensory activity. Staff ask children questions that encourage them to think critically as they learn through play. As a result, children are well prepared for school. n Staff place a sharp focus on developing good communications skills. They model clear speech and use varied prompts to build children's vocabulary. The manager's fluency in several languages helps children who speak English as an additional language to feel secure. Consequently, children make good progress in this area and speak with confidence. n Leaders and staff use observations and assess children's learning regularly. However, at times, staff do not use assessment effectively to plan children's next

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need to do better?

steps in learning. Consequently, some staff do not consistently build on what children have learned. n Children behave well in the nursery. Children understand that rules keep everyone safe and happy, such as walking rather than running while indoors. Children use good manners and take turns with their friends. However, sometimes, staff do not ensure that activities are sufficiently engaging for all children. On these occasions, some children quickly become bored, lose focus, and engage in unwanted behaviour. n Staff place a high emphasis on children's emotional well-being. They talk to

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need to do better?

6 March 2023 children about their feelings and listen carefully when children speak. Staff support children to understand what is happening next throughout the day to ensure that transitions are calm. Children are quick to approach the nurturing staff for help or comfort. This supports children to feel safe, confident and secure. n Children learn the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Children are physically active indoors and outside. They enjoy physical activity classes where they play parachute games and complete fun exercises alongside the staff. Staff eat alongside the children as they discuss their healthy packed lunches. This supports children's physical development and helps them to understand how to make healthy choices. n Staff ensure that children have many opportunities to do things for themselves. Children prepare their own snack by cutting fruit and pouring drinks. Children begin to manage their own personal hygiene and put on their own coats. As a

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need to do better?

result, children show increasing levels of independence. n The manager and staff feel well supported by the wider leadership team. The shared expertise ensures that the curriculum delivered is of a good standard. However, support and supervisions are not always focused sharply enough on guiding the manager and staff's professional development to improve their practice to the highest level.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are alert to the potential signs and symptoms of abuse. Staff are knowledgeable about different forms of abuse. They know who to speak to if they have any concerns. The leadership team undertakes checks to ensure that staff are suitable to work in the setting. Staff follow robust policies and practice to keep children safe in the nursery. They use risk assessments effectively to ensure that the environment is safe for all children. The manager ensures that all staff understand children's individual needs, such as dietary requirements. Staff hold paediatric first-aid certificates and are confident of what action to take in an emergency.

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should:

n enhance the use of observation and assessment of children's learning to plan next steps that engage children in activities and build on their prior learning n refine supervision arrangements to support staff and provide feedback that is focused sharply on improving practice to the highest standard.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2621066 Local authority Manchester Inspection number 10280955 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 28 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person Ducklings Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01616540124 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Ducklings @ Didsbury registered in 2021. The nursery employs three members of childcare staff. Of these, two staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one member of staff holds a level 2 qualification. The nursery opens on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Sessions are from 9am to 3pm. 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. n The manager and area manager took the inspector on a learning walk. They discussed the curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children talked to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation together before discussing the impact that practice had on children. n Parents and carers shared their views about the setting with the inspector. n The inspector held discussions with the manager, director and other members of

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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 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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