Duchess Nursery Wallingford

Inspection of Duchess Nursery Wallingford Wallingford School, St Georges Road, Wallingford OX10 8HH

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children form strong relationships with the caring staff team. They receive lots of encouragement and praise for their achievements. This supports children's emotional well-being. Children behave well and show an awareness of routines and boundaries. They know what staff expect of them. This helps them to feel safe and secure in their environment. Children form early friendships and play cooperatively together. They are confident and interact positively with visitors. Older children display good levels of independence. They serve their own meals, pour their own drinks and independently manage their self-care.

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The provision is good

Children are motivated to learn. They love to explore the garden areas. Young children learn to take risks with the support of staff, as they learn how to climb the small climbing equipment carefully. A recent renovation of the garden area has promoted children's interest in vehicles. They have enjoyed spending time watching construction workers, and younger children have continued learning new language to identify the equipment in their play. Babies exploratory skills are supported by staff, who provide them with inviting sensory experiences. For example, they explore sound as they make music, press buttons and use their developing muscles as they dig in the sand.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and the manager have worked hard and closely cooperated with local authority advisers to implement positive changes. As a result, they have addressed all the actions raised at the last inspection and have made effective and significant improvements to strengthen safety, staff practice and children's learning in the nursery. n The manager is skilled and dedicated to providing good-quality service to children and their families. She continuously reflects on the provision, and ensures that staff have access to professional development opportunities. For example, some staff have recently received 'WellComm' training to help them in identifying children who may need extra support to build on their communication and language skills. n Staff follow the children's interests well and provide additional activities to help them learn for their future. For example, children in the pre-school recently showed an interest in the planet system. Staff help children to learn about this

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need to do better?

by providing carefully considered activities. Furthermore, children in the toddler room show a real interest in animals. They are excited to use various tools to free tiny animal figures from ice blocks. n Staff plan a varied curriculum to ensure children are well prepared for their future education. Staff regularly assess what children know and can do. They use this information to plan for what children need to learn next. Children make

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need to do better?

31 May 2023 good progress. Overall, staff prioritise activities that help children to develop their mathematical and communication and language skills. For example, they ask questions to encourage children to talk about their play. However, at times, staff take the lead and children do not consistently have time to explore, predict and develop their thinking further. n The manager, who is also the special education needs coordinator, plays a vital role in supporting children who may need early intervention. Swift support, effective liaison with other external professionals and families gives a consistent and tailored approach. n Overall, staff broaden children's experiences and extend their knowledge of people, places and the wider world. Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise. However, staff do not make best use of the immediate surroundings and environment to encourage children's understanding of the

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need to do better?

local community and world around them. n Parents are delighted with the care and support the staff provide. Parents receive daily updates on their children's progress, and are supported to learn at home with their children. Parents comment that they love the small family feel the nursery promotes. n The manager and leaders are dedicated to their roles. They work alongside the staff team on a daily basis. This helps to model effective practice and identify areas where they may need further support or training. Staff state that they are very happy in their roles, receive regular supervision and comment on the good support they get from leaders.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff receive regular safeguarding training. They have a secure understanding of how to recognise children who may be at risk of harm or abuse. Staff are confident on how to report any concerns about a child's welfare. They are clear about what they would do in regard to the 'Prevent' duty and other safeguarding issues. Staff understand what they would do should they have a concern about a colleague. The leadership team follows vigorous recruitment process, ensuring the ongoing suitability of staff working with children. Staff teach children how to keep themselves safe. For example, they talk to them about using scissors safely.

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should:

n build the quality of education to an even higher level, to develop the consistency of staff interactions and further support children's thinking skills n extend links with the local community to support children's understanding of experiences beyond their own and the wider world.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2614915 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10281363 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 63 Name of registered person Swinbrook House Nursery Schools Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01491 829729 Date of previous inspection 26 January 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Duchess Nursery Wallingford registered in December 2020. It is situated in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.00pm. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery receives funding to provide free 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 inspector observed activities in the three main base rooms and garden areas. She talked to staff about the progress individual children are making and what they want the children to learn. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum is organised. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager. The inspector observed interactions between staff and the children and the impact these have on children's learning. The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with children. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, including evidence of paediatric first-aid training. The inspector had a discussion with leaders about the

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Inspection activities

evaluation of the setting and plans for improvement. n The inspector spoke to parents and children during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

31 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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