Leigh Cottage Childcare

Inspection of Leigh Cottage Childcare 6 Sladesbrook, BRADFORD-ON-AVON BA15 1SH

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive at this outstanding setting. They are exceptionally valued by nurturing staff, who have high ambitions for them all. Staff show children excellent care and respect, really listening and noticing what children would like. Children are extremely happy and settled, showing they feel safe. They behave particularly well and are kind to adults and each other. Older children form lovely relationships and work cooperatively together. For example, children push each other along in a wheelbarrow, requesting help from other children when it becomes too heavy. Children laugh and chat as they play.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff provide a thoughtfully planned out, innovative curriculum that stimulates all children's interests, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff skilfully encourage children's learning with thought- provoking questions and ideas. For instance, while making 'cement' for the building role play, staff discuss with children how they can make it thicker. They add more flour then proudly explain how they made their 'cement.' All children are making excellent progress.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff recognise that since the COVID-19 pandemic, children struggle more with their attention and listening skills. They have put into place new and engaging activities to help children develop these skills, such as the 'attention bucket' game. For example, staff expertly captivate children's attention by filling a bucket with well-chosen, exciting objects and enthusiastically singing a special song, encouraging children to explore the objects together in small groups.

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need to do better?

n Managers are passionate and have high expectations. They are keen to continually improve the already excellent nursery. Staff share this enthusiasm and regularly engage in training courses to ensure they are up to date with the latest early years practice. For example, staff have had training on supporting children's and their own well-being. Alongside discussing children's emotions, each room now really notices and celebrates when children have been extra kind to each other. Children excitably share this achievement with their parents. n Staff skilfully tailor learning to individual children's needs and interests. Children are very engrossed in their learning. For example, babies intently listen and join in as staff use props when reading, so babies can count as they feed the caterpillar during a well-known story. Older children excitably dig for 'dinosaur bones', building a dinosaur as they uncover more bones. They learn new words,

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need to do better?

such as 'skull' and 'T-Rex', increasing their vocabulary, as they discuss with staff the names of the bones and dinosaurs. n Skilled staff support children to come up with their own solutions and be

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need to do better?

12 June 2023 independent. For instance, when toddlers spill water on themselves, staff ask them: 'How might we dry that?' Even the youngest children pour their own drinks, with support, at mealtimes and put on their own shoes. n Children have many engaging opportunities to learn about good oral hygiene throughout the nursery. Younger children discuss what toothbrushes are for and use them in their play. Older children use mirrors to count how many teeth are in their mouths and discuss how to care for their teeth. Staff share this learning with parents by sending home a toothbrush, toothpaste, a special toothbrushing song and information to share with parents. The nursery has excellent ways of including parents in their children's learning. n Staff place a high emphasis on children being in control of their own choices. For example, all children choose what snack they would like that day. Pre-school children 'vote' by placing pegs on extra activities they would like out that day to

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need to do better?

complement their already wide range of stimulating resources. Staff avoid gender stereotyping and encourage all children to dress up in clothes of their choosing in the role-play area. n Parents love the way the nursery sees their children as individuals and values and nurtures their uniqueness. They appreciate the way that staff know exactly what their children have been doing during the day and how they are developing. Communication with parents is excellent. n Staff are extremely nurturing and know children and families exceptionally well. They work with families to sensitively support children through major life changes, such as introducing a new baby to the family. They encourage children to express their feelings while engaged in activities. For example, staff sensitively chat with children about changes in their families while playing with them, helping to support children's emotional well-being.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The nursery places a high emphasis on safeguarding and ensures everyone is aware of their safeguarding responsibilities. The manager and team have highly comprehensive safeguarding knowledge. They have a clear understanding of the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm, and they know how to report those concerns. They keep their knowledge up to date by having regular training and discussing different safeguarding scenarios at staff meetings. Managers check staff have a good understanding of safeguarding through monthly team questionnaires. Management follows excellent safe recruitment processes, ensuring all staff are fully vetted and are safe to work with children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2644432 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 10291734 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 61 Number of children on roll 107 Name of registered person D K Eastwood Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01225860921 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Leigh Cottage Childcare opened in 2007 and re-registered in 2021. It is located in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire. The nursery is open on weekdays, all year from 7.30am to 5.30pm. It is in receipt of funding for the provision of early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery employs 21 members of staff. Of these, four hold an appropriate level 6 early years qualification, one holds a level 5 qualification, 13 hold a level 3 qualification, two hold a level 2 qualification and one is unqualified.

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Inspection activities

n This was 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 provider. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the deputy manager. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Children spoke to and communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The management team showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

12 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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