Dinky Ducks Nursery and Pre - School

Inspection of Dinky Ducks Day Care Oaktree Family Group, Alver Valley Family Centre, 19 Falcon Meadows Way, Gosport PO13 8AA

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children come into the setting happily. They are warmly greeted by the kind and caring staff. Children behave well at nursery and staff have high expectations for their behaviour. Staff model to children how to solve minor conflicts and support them to do this independently. Children are challenged in their physical development. For example, very young children climb up and down a climbing frame with great delight. Older children enjoy creating their own obstacle courses and challenge themselves to jump as high as they can off the cable reel while being supported by staff. Staff develop children's knowledge of the world around them. For example, children learn about the coronation, as they take part in a 'crowns and tiaras' day. They enjoy having their face painted, creating red, white and blue pictures as well as talking about the King and Queen.

p.2

The provision is good

It is important to staff that children develop their independence skills. It is an embedded part of daily practice and children develop skills from a very early age. For example, very young children begin to learn how to wash their hands using the hand-over-hand method. This then progresses to children doing this for themselves as they develop confidence. Children also learn how to wipe their own noses, dispose of the tissue and wash their hands afterwards.

p.2

need to do better?

n There is a curriculum in place that is ambitious and builds on what children know as they progress through the nursery. However, staff's understanding of the curriculum needs strengthening, to ensure that it is focused enough and that staff understand the overall aims for learning fully. n Children make good progress, in particular children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff swiftly act to ensure intervention groups are in place to support children with SEND to help close the gaps in development. For example, children take part in 'bucket time', where staff skilfully capture their attention as they observe different sensory toys. n Older children's language is well supported with intervention programmes in place. For example, staff run a listening and attention group regularly for children. However, this support is inconsistent for the very youngest children. Although children hear new words and are encouraged to babble the majority of

p.2

need to do better?

the time, there are times when they do not hear sufficient language. This impacts on the progress very young children make with their language skills. n Staff feel their well-being is supported well and that they can always approach management if needed. Managers take the time to ensure that staff who need support have the opportunity to speak with themselves as often as they need. n Staff regularly undertake training that will benefit the children in their care. For example, they are developing their support for military families, having attended

p.2

need to do better?

5 May 2023 a 'military matters' training. From this staff have introduced things, such as a map to show where parents are and pictures of children's parents in uniform available in the setting. n There are strong parent partnerships in place. Staff ensure they offer support to parents through a variety of ways. For example, key persons have regular meeting with parents. They signpost parents to relevant groups, as well as share updates and ideas online, for example through online learning journals. n Parents speak highly of the setting. They comment on the kind and caring staff. Parents feel that staff really know their child and help them make good progress in their learning. They comment on the good communication between themselves and staff. n Staff model their expectations for children's behaviour. This helps children to see the behaviours that are expected of them, such as being courteous to one another and validating each other's feelings.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children who speak English as additional language make good progress. They are supported well by staff. Staff ensure that children can recognise themselves within the resources available to them. For example, staff encourage children and families to bring in items they would usually find in their homes to be part of the home corner at nursery, such as familiar food packaging. Staff also encourage children to use their home languages, and staff learn familiar words themselves.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have a secure understanding of their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding children. They know the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is a risk of harm. Staff understand the processes to follow when reporting a concern about a child to their designated safeguarding lead and then on to relevant local safeguarding partners, as required. Staff show a secure knowledge of how to respond in the event of an allegation against a member of staff if they needed to. They have an in depth knowledge of a variety of safeguarding concerns, such as bruising in non-mobile babies. Managers have a secure understanding of safer recruitment practices and ensuring the ongoing suitability of staff.

p.3

should:

n strengthen staff's understanding of the curriculum to ensure that it is precise and that they understand the overall aims for learning n develop interactions further to build on very young children's emerging language skills.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY294995 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10286828 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 76 Number of children on roll 107 Name of registered person Oaktree Family Group Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 02392 512967 Date of previous inspection 5 June 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Dinky Ducks Day Care registered in 2004. The nursery opens each weekday from 7am to 6pm, all year round, except for one week over Christmas and all public holidays. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 25 members of staff employed to work with the children. 16 members of staff hold a recognised early years qualification at level 2 or higher.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This is 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 setting. n The managers explained the curriculum intentions to the inspector during the learning walk. n The inspector took part in discussions with the managers and staff during the inspection. n The managers and the inspector observed and evaluated an activity together. n The inspector sampled relevant documents. n The inspector observed staff and children throughout the day. n Parents shared their views with the inspector through discussions.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

5 May 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6