Woodlands PDN

Inspection of Woodlands PDN 194 Duffield Road, Derby, Derbyshire DE22 1BJ

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children grow with confidence and progress in their learning as they transition through the setting. They are supported by kind, nurturing staff. Babies find comfort with their key person, snuggling in for reassurance when they become tired. Staff have built positive relationships with children and their families. These relationships form firm foundations for children's successful learning and development.

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The provision is good

Younger children are eager to explain how they spend time caring for giant land snails. Outside, they find garden snails. Children compare the differences between the species, using words such as big and little.

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The provision is good

In the setting's forest school, staff create an enchanted environment where pre- school children's imaginations flourish. They role play their favourite stories, demonstrating the familiarity they have with books. Children are challenged by staff to identify the trees around them by looking at their leaves. They use their descriptive language as they identify the similarities and differences between the leaves. Staff introduce the names of trees through the ambitious curriculum that they have developed. Children enthusiastically find and name a conifer tree, a silver birch and a laurel. Throughout their play, children show their awareness of the rules designed to keep them safe. For example, by stepping out of the campfire circle to the rear.

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need to do better?

n Staff use effective strategies to build children's self-esteem and confidence. They give children stickers to celebrate their accomplishments, clearly explaining what children have done well. Children wear these with pride and tell their friends and staff members about their achievements. n The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) works closely with parents, key workers and other professionals to enable children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to make good progress in their learning. The manager has deployed the SENCo to target her work with the children who would benefit most, recognising the continuing impact of the pandemic and the age range of children most affected. The SENCo uses her experience and knowledge to act quickly and puts appropriate support in place. n Staff understand the setting's literacy curriculum and successfully deliver this throughout the setting. They choose a set of core books and read these

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need to do better?

frequently with children during group times and on a one-to-one basis. This repetition helps children become familiar with key words and phrases in the text. Through this, children develop a fondness of special and meaningful stories. n The management team has adapted their settling-in procedures since the

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need to do better?

6 June 2023 pandemic. Managers have acted on parental feedback and recognise that new experiences and environments can cause anxiety for children and parents. Staff now offer more flexible and longer settling-in sessions. New parents report that their children have made a smooth transition into the setting. n In the most part, children are securing the skills and knowledge that they need to confidently progress in their education and beyond. That said, there are gaps where children have less opportunity to develop some fine motor skills, specifically around using tools. For example, currently, children do not use scissors in the setting, and their involvement in serving their own meals has reduced over time. n Staff are attentive to children's care needs. Children's health is promoted through good handwashing routines and healthy meal options. However, the richness of learning is not always strong during these routine activities. For

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need to do better?

example, staff do not consistently support children's communication and language growth through vibrant and informative conversation. n Managers demonstrate a commitment to staff's continued professional development. They offer a variety of opportunities for staff to improve their knowledge and skills. For instance, staff complete work placements in the rooms of older and younger age groups. This helps them to build a sequenced curriculum as they can identify where children have come from in their learning and where they will progress to. n Staff have recently completed training where they have considered more effective ways to support and shape children's behaviour. Children respond well to the positive behaviour management strategies that staff use. Babies are calmed when relaxing music is played. Older children learn to share with the help of a sand timer.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Following a recent incident, the management team and staff have tightened risk assessment procedures to ensure children's safety. They have considered more carefully their supervision arrangements so that children are not exposed to potential hazards in their play. Managers and staff have a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection matters, including how to escalate a concern. Staff have completed appropriate first-aid training so that they can respond correctly to children's medical needs. Recruitment procedures are robust for staff and volunteers. Managers confirm staff's ongoing suitability to fulfil their roles.

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should:

n develop the curriculum so that children have adequate opportunity to learn,

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should:

6 June 2023 practise and use the fine motor skills they need for their further education and beyond, specifically around the use of tools n focus performance management on staff's interactions with children during routine activities, such as mealtimes, so that children's communication and language development is continually being promoted.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 509204 Local authority Derby Inspection number 10290434 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 118 Number of children on roll 149 Name of registered person Woodlands Nursery (Derby) Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01332 346878 Date of previous inspection 7 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Woodlands PDN registered in 1991. The nursery employs 27 members of childcare staff. Of these, 20 hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for Christmas and bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors Charlotte Whalley Kate Francis

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The manager joined the inspectors on a learning walk and talked to the inspectors about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspectors spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspectors talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n One inspector carried out joint observation of a forest school group activity with

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Inspection activities

the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspectors. n The inspectors 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

6 June 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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