Dinky Dales Nursery

Inspection of Dinky Dales Nursery The Old School, Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria CA17 4NQ

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy at the nursery and enjoy playing with their friends. They show that they feel safe as they run in to begin their day, shouting a happy 'goodbye' to their parents. Children bring flowers to staff, which they collected on their walk to the nursery. Children benefit from fresh air as they play outside. They practise their physical skills as they ride tricycles and kick footballs. Children learn early mathematical concepts, such as volume and capacity, as they play with water and laugh as they get wet. Staff ask questions as children play to extend their thinking skills.

p.2

The provision is good

Children get to know their community. They excitedly wave to farmers in their tractors as they pass and recall when the lambs came to visit. Children teach staff and their friends new words from languages they are learning at home. They learn how they are each unique and about life in modern Britain. Children demonstrate positive attitudes towards their learning and understand staff's expectations of them. They behave well and follow daily routines, such as putting their plates in the sink after snacks. Children build on their skills and knowledge and become increasingly independent. This helps to prepare children for their move on to school.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders are committed to the continued development of the nursery. Leaders ensure that staff training benefits children. Staff and parents comment that the nursery is like an extension of their family. Input from staff, parents and children means that the nursery offers what families need and that staff are dedicated to their roles. This partnership working helps children to make good progress. n Staff know children well and plan interesting activities based around their interests. For example, children are currently learning about bees. They are looking forward to a visit from a beekeeper and their bees. Staff regularly assess children's progress. They quickly identify gaps in their learning and implement strategies to stop them from falling behind. Children are competent learners. n Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well. Staff have equally high ambitions for all children and liaise with other

p.2

need to do better?

agencies to support children with SEND. Additional funding is spent to benefit children. For example, experiences such as swimming sessions help to broaden children's scope of experience. All children make appropriate progress from their different starting points in development. n Staff help children to manage their emotions. Children behave well and are polite. For instance, when staff thank children for sharing the resources, children say 'you're welcome'. Children show positive attitudes and are proud of their achievements. They cheer on their friends as they cross an obstacle course of

p.2

need to do better?

24 May 2023 tyres and planks. This helps children to build their confidence and resilience. n Support for babies' early communication and language skills is strong. Staff use and teach Makaton as they narrate babies' play. This helps babies to communicate their needs. Children are chatty, enjoy stories and have interesting discussions with staff. However, support for children's language skills is not consistent throughout the nursery. Some staff require further support to consistently engage with children as they play and to raise support for children's language skills to the highest level. n Children learn about healthy lifestyles. They discuss healthy foods and how to keep their teeth clean. Children have continuous access to drinking water. However, in outdoor areas, children walk around with their cups, mixing drinking water with water for play activities. Staff remind them not to drink the play water as it could upset their tummies, but children receive inconsistent

p.2

need to do better?

messages and sometimes become confused. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents praise staff for the support they offer their children and families. Staff give parents plenty of information about their children's progress. Staff encourage parents to borrow books from the nursery's 'share box' and offer ideas for how parents can extend children's learning at home.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders and staff have a sound knowledge and understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures. They understand how to identify when a child may be at risk of harm and how to report concerns appropriately. Leaders and staff carry out regular risk assessments of areas used by children to ensure that they are safe and clean. Staff discuss with children why they do this to help children begin to learn to keep themselves safe. Recruitment procedures are thorough, and leaders ensure that all staff remain suitable to work with children. Leaders have received training on managing diabetes, allergies and anaphylaxis. This helps staff to support children with specific requirements.

p.3

should:

n support staff to improve consistency in developing children's communication and language skills throughout the nursery n review routines around drinking water in outdoor areas so that children receive consistent messages about keeping themselves healthy.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2630747 Local authority Westmorland and Furness Inspection number 10289312 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 60 Name of registered person Dinky Dales Nursery Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01539623670 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Dinky Dales Nursery registered in 2021. It employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven, including the manager, hold appropriate qualifications at level 2 or 3. One member of staff holds qualified teacher status. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and one week over the Christmas period. Sessions are from 8am to 5.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery 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 nursery. n The managers and the inspector had a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the managers. 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

p.5

Inspection activities

suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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

24 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