Ducklings Day Nursery

Inspection of Ducklings Day Nursery 20 Barnston Lane, Wirral CH46 7TP

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children love to play in this well-equipped nursery. They are welcomed by the staff at the door with a smile. Children see how staff build positive relationships with their parents, such as when they chat together warmly during arrival and collection times. This helps children to feel at ease with the staff. Children are happy. They show that they feel safe, for instance when they approach staff for comfort and reassurance.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from the meaningful learning experiences that leaders and staff provide. This is because leaders and staff think carefully about what they want children to learn. Children's needs and interests are considered by staff when they provide learning activities. Children learn important new knowledge, such as to make and keep friends, develop their muscle strength, and begin to recognise print. This helps them to be ready for the next stage in their education. Children live up to staff's high expectations for how they should behave. They relish the responsibility of teaching others the nursery's golden rules for how to behave. Children develop leadership skills when staff support them to care for younger children. They find that their efforts and achievements are praised by staff.

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need to do better?

n Leaders' clear curriculum thinking means that they know how to support children to learn new knowledge across the areas of learning. For example, they make sure that children learn important information that builds on what they already know. Children become confident learners, full of curiosity and wanting to learn even more. n Staff sing and talk with children often. They use songs frequently and in purposeful, expert ways to support children to learn new words. Staff use lots of gentle talk to describe different actions when playing with the children. However, sometimes, staff do not use the correct words for objects that children are using. This does not help children to extend some of their growing vocabulary. n Staff use number language in everyday activities. They develop children's grasp of mathematics competently and playfully. For example, when staff play hiding games in the garden with children, they count to five as each child runs to hide.

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need to do better?

Children learn that numbers are important and fun. n Leaders provide staff with the regular training and coaching that they need to make improvements in their work with children. For instance, leaders have recently led training for staff to learn more about developing their curriculum for books and counting. As a result, leaders have improved staff's skills and knowledge in teaching children these areas of learning. n Staff deliver leaders' curriculum for books well. For example, they read stories

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need to do better?

14 September 2023 aloud to children frequently and do so with confidence and passion. Staff discuss and point to the words, letters and content of books with children. Leaders make sure that story times are valued activities that help children to learn important book knowledge. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well by staff. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) ensures that she makes effective links with specialist professionals. This helps staff to plan the individual support needed for each child. Children with SEND learn well. n Staff get to know children's individual needs by giving them lots of positive, individual attention. For instance, they are often available when children and babies need reassurance and seek a cuddle. Many staff are expert at knowing when children need attention and when they should step back to allow children to try tasks for themselves. However, on occasion, some staff take over tasks for

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need to do better?

children too quickly. At these times, some children do not learn how to persist when some tasks are tricky. n In the main, leaders make sure that staff follow the daily routines for children well. For example, staff provide children with verbal reminders and guidance when it is time to tidy up, play outside or prepare for lunch. This helps children to know what is coming next in their day. However, lunchtime for babies and toddlers is less well organised than for older children. This leads to some children waiting too long for their meal. Some children become restless at these times.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders make sure that all staff attend regular safeguarding training. They know how to identify the possible signs that a child may be experiencing neglect or abuse. Staff and leaders are vigilant in their approach to protecting children. They understand what to do if they are concerned about a child's safety. Leaders ensure that all staff understand the setting's safeguarding policy. Staff know to record and report any concerns without delay. All staff have a thorough understanding of the different roles of safeguarding professionals and when to contact them.

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should:

n improve knowledge of how children learn language to support their growing vocabulary n revise the organisation of the lunchtime routines for younger children so they wait less time for meals n strengthen staff's knowledge of how to develop children's independence so they become resilient to persist at tricky tasks.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2630279 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 10305095 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 33 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person AYON NURSERY SCHOOLS LIMITED

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reference number

Telephone number 0151 678 5050 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Ducklings Day Nursery registered in 2021 and is based in Wirral. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round from 7am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 leaders and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all the areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The SENCo spoke with the inspector about how they and staff support children with SEND. n The inspector observed children's learning of the curriculum and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector looked at a range of documentation provided by the manager and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working at 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

14 September 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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