The Ducklings Day Nursery

Inspection of The Ducklings Day Nursery 115 Warrington Road, LEIGH, Lancashire WN7 3XF

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this exceptional setting. Staff put relationships with children at the heart of everything they do. The setting has an ethos of 'love and care', which is seen throughout staff's interactions with children. Children receive the utmost care and attention from staff. Interactions are sensitive and nurturing. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the nursery. Children become engrossed in ambitious activities, exploring and investigating. Staff place a strong focus on children's well-being and sense of self-worth. Children form extremely close bonds with staff.

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The provision is outstanding

Highly qualified management and leaders excellently plan and implement a broad, ambitious curriculum. Staff provide children with exceptional early learning experiences. Highly attentive staff share the children's enthusiasm for what they see and imagine. Children focus well because staff use their excellent teaching style to excite children and keep them engaged. Older children plan their own play and learn how to manage and assess risk as 'risk rangers'. They problem solve how to pump water from the bucket, which is too heavy to lift, down the guttering pipe. They use piping and work together, sharing ideas to support each other. Children beam with delight as they master the use of the pump. They also harmoniously take turns with their friends. They have clear aims and negotiate and solve problems as they play together. Children are highly empathetic.

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need to do better?

n Supporting and developing staff is a key priority for the owner. Staff are extremely knowledgeable and passionate. The dedicated and happy staff are well qualified. They receive specific training to meet the needs of the children that attend. For instance, staff attend sign language training, this supports all children and those with additional speech and language needs. Children feel included and can make their wishes, wants and needs known at the setting. Staff deliver high-quality teaching, which is individual for all children. n Babies receive the most loving and affectionate care from staff. They sensitively look after them and babies respond with beaming smiles. During mealtimes, staff provide babies with spoons and encourage them to self-feed. As they get older, children confidently handle cutlery to eat. Staff are exceptionally skilled at recognising babies' cues. They respond to each child's individual needs incredibly

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need to do better?

well. n The nursery provides excellent support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The well-qualified special educational needs coordinator provides tailored support for children. They create and implement small interventions, such as sensory experiences. Staff work closely with other professionals to share valuable information. As a result, children with SEND get

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need to do better?

25 October 2023 the early and ongoing support they need. n Leaders and staff have excellent parent partnerships. Staff speak to parents daily and invite parents to play sessions, where they find out more about children and share ideas. Staff work closely with parents to develop supportive relationships and build trust. Parents are very well informed and exceptionally well supported as a family unit. n Children's early communication and language development is a key strength at the nursery. Interactions between children and staff are exceptional. Staff expertly tune into each child and repeat back the correct pronunciation of words. Children who speak English as an additional language settle quickly. Staff work closely with parents to learn key words and phrases. Staff weave in every opportunity to sing, count and repeat language. All children make excellent progress. n Staff support children's independence skills very well. Children show

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need to do better?

independence at an early age. They hone their independence skills as they learn to serve their own food at lunchtime. Children develop excellent understanding about eating healthily and good oral hygiene. For instance, staff provide toy tooth cleaning sets for children to practise toothbrushing. They create original songs to deepen children's understanding of how to keep teeth and gums healthy. n Children's behaviour and attitudes are excellent and all children feel included. Staff have established clear strategies to support children to learn about rules and boundaries. Staff apply a consistent approach to language and actions used to support children and are positive role models. Children actively learn about sustainable environments and eagerly participate in growing plants in an allotment. Children are cared for in a truly positive and nurturing environment. n Staff are immensely proud to be part of the team. They speak highly of the

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need to do better?

'inspirational leaders'. Leaders have total trust in staff and their abilities; in turn, staff feel valued and listened to. They regularly evaluate the setting and share ideas on improvements. They are motivated to provide excellent care for children. This is evident in their practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a secure understanding of signs and indicators that might suggest a child is at risk of harm or abuse. They are confident in taking action to record and report concerns and fulfil their roles and responsibilities to safeguard children. Those with designated responsibilities take swift action if they are concerned about the suitability of a colleague or if a child makes a disclosure. There are robust systems in place to ensure the suitability of staff during the recruitment process. All staff undertake rigorous risk assessments to identify and minimise hazards and ensure the safety and security of the premises and equipment. They record and monitor accidents and existing injuries, and share these with parents.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY370719 Local authority Wigan Inspection number 10305387 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 72 Number of children on roll 123 Name of registered person Ducklings Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01942 673297 Date of previous inspection 20 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The Ducklings Day Nursery registered in 2008. The nursery employs 21 members of childcare staff, of whom 19 hold a relevant qualification at level 3 or above. The owner has early years professional status and qualified teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. The nursery provides funded early education for two- and three-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 the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The manager and the inspector had a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 a group activity with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector.

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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

25 October 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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