Little Ducklings

Inspection of Little Ducklings Murdoch House, Hemingfield Road, Barnsley S73 0LY

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision requires improvement

Children arrive happy and eager to explore the environment at this welcoming nursery. Staff greet children and families warmly. They welcome parents into the nursery. Parents drop off and collect their children from their rooms. Staff use this time to share information with parents. Children feel safe and secure. They have formed positive relationships with staff. Children go to them for comfort and will ask for help if needed. However, staff do not always find out about babies' interests, likes and dislikes when they first start. This means it is sometimes difficult for staff to support children's well-being from the very beginning.

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The provision requires improvement

Overall, children are generally calm and concentrate on their play. Younger children explore the areas and activities available with interest. Babies learn to stand and strengthen the muscles in their legs. They climb into the sand tray and take their socks off to feel the sand on their toes. Toddlers play alongside their friends as they explore a sensory activity. Pre-school children talk and listen to their friends as they play in the water. However, at times, older children do not engage in the activities provided indoors. Staff do not always have high expectations of all children's behaviour. As a result, some children do not always learn to follow the rules of the nursery. At times, older children do not always engage in meaningful learning.

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need to do better?

n Staff collect information from parents about babies' routines. Children's individual care needs are supported well. However, staff do not always find out about their interests, likes and dislikes. This means staff sometimes find it difficult to settle new children quickly. n Staff do not always plan activities that allow all children to engage in their learning. Older children do not always benefit from meaningful learning. As a result, children sometimes lose focus. Children do not always show positive behaviour and attitudes to their learning. n Staff do not always teach the older children about the rules of the nursery. They do not consistently have high expectations of all children's behaviour. When staff ask children to use their inside voice, this is often shouted across a noisy room. Staff do not always explain what they want the children to do. Children continue to shout. n Leaders and managers have a clear overview of what they want children to

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need to do better?

learn. Each room builds on what children know and can do. For example, staff teach children the skills they need to be able to use a knife and fork and serve their own food. n Children look at books independently. Babies bring a book to share with an adult. Toddlers choose their favourite song from the song box and join in with

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need to do better?

25 May 2023 the actions. Young pre-school children sit and look at catalogues, turning the pages carefully. Older children act out the story of 'Stick Man' when playing near the tree outside. Children develop a love of stories, songs and rhymes. n Children develop good physical skills. Babies have the space to crawl and move about in the environment. Staff encourage babies to stand and build the strength in their legs. Mobile babies practise walking over a small bridge as they hold onto the rail. Older children go up and down steps confidently. They balance along an obstacle course. Children are confident and show a can-do attitude. n Language development is supported well. Staff comment on what children are doing and name objects. They introduce new words. For example, staff introduce the word 'bouquet' when children are learning about flowers. Children and staff engage in back-and-forth conversations. Children are confident

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need to do better?

speakers. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. Staff work with other agencies to ensure that support is in place to meet children's needs. Staff undertake additional training so they can support the specific needs of individual children. n Parents are very positive about the nursery. They say staff are kind and nurturing. Parents comment that their children develop social skills and become independent. Children talk about the staff at home. They build positive relationships with them. Staff encourage families to make use of the clothing exchange and book library, and to attend open days.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The setting is safe and secure. Routines and procedures are in place to ensure that children cannot leave the premises unaccompanied. Staff complete regular headcounts, particularly during transition times. Staff follow procedures to ensure that they deal with accidents appropriately. All staff attend paediatric first-aid training. Staff have a strong knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and of a range of topics. There are clear procedures in place to report any concerns about children or staff. Managers support the ongoing development of staff. Effective supervisions are in place to identify any safeguarding concerns. There are robust recruitment procedures in place to ensure that only suitable people work with children.

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should:

n strengthen the existing key-person system to ensure that information is gathered to include children's interests, likes and dislikes so that staff can

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should:

25 May 2023 support children more effectively when they first start n strengthen planning to ensure that all children consistently benefit from meaningful learning inside, so that the available resources meet the children's needs and promote their focus on learning n ensure that all staff have high expectations for all children's behaviour and expectations are commonly understood and applied consistently in all rooms.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY442316 Local authority Barnsley Inspection number 10270214 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 122 Name of registered person Little Ducklings Child Care Barnsley Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01226 755 789 Date of previous inspection 5 December 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Little Ducklings registered in 2012 and is in Wombwell, Barnsley. The nursery employs 24 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3, one at level 5 and one at level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. 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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

25 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.

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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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