Charlie Caterpillars Day Nursery

Inspection of Charlie Caterpillars Day Nursery Unit 1, Dorchester Park, Commercial Road, WALSALL WS2 7NQ

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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 excitedly enter the nursery and quickly settle into the familiar routines of the day. Staff are warm and welcoming and greet children with a big smile. Staff gather valuable information about children, such as their likes and interests, before they start. This helps them to know the children well and supports the development of the close bonds they share.

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The provision is good

Staff plan interesting activities that focus on the individual needs of the children and their next steps. Children thoroughly enjoy daily outdoor play, where there are exciting opportunities to practise their physical skills and mark making. For example, they explore paint with their hands at an outdoor table and use tools to draw in the sand. As a result, children are building the muscles needed to support their early writing skills. Staff support children with their independence and gently encourage them to keep trying at tricky tasks. For example, staff demonstrate different techniques to help children put on their all-weather suits and zip them up. Children delight in the sense of achievement when they are successful. Staff praise hard work and celebrate accomplishments by immediately displaying the children's work around the nursery. Consequently, children demonstrate a positive attitude to learning and are building their self-esteem. This helps all children, including those

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The provision is good

with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to make good progress in their learning from their various starting points.

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need to do better?

n Leaders design a rich and varied curriculum that builds on what children already know and can do. They are passionate about supporting children in the early years. Leaders are forward thinking and are always looking ahead at the improvements that can be made for the cohort of children they serve. For example, they have recently adapted their pre-school room to allow more space for children to explore and develop. As a result, all children have an interesting and inspiring environment in which to learn. n Staff in pre-school clearly explain to children the impact their actions have on others. They gently explain to children what might happen if they swing a toy around in the air. Children overall behave well. However, not all staff consistently implement these effective behaviour strategies. For example, younger children sometimes climb on tables or knock over resources. While staff are responsive and move them out of danger, they do not explain why. This means some

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need to do better?

children do not always gain a solid understanding of how to keep themselves safe and the impact they may have on others. n Interactions between staff and children are kind and warm. Staff meet the personal needs of children with dignity and respect. Children openly reach out to staff for reassurance and cuddles. They are clearly happy and settled and

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need to do better?

9 November 2023 thoroughly enjoy their time in the nursery. Staff chat to children and ask open- ended questions to challenge children's knowledge. However, some staff do not offer as much conversation and discussion to fully support children's early communication and language. n Staff well-being is a priority. Leaders are attentive to the individual needs of their team and offer support with flexible working patterns. They complete peer reviews on staff teaching practice and provide immediate, constructive feedback. This helps to improve the overall quality of teaching. As a result, staff morale is high and they feel valued in their roles. n Children show kindness and are developing friendships. They fondly bid their friends and staff farewell as they leave to go home. Staff regularly promote the use of manners and the importance of helping others. Children thoughtfully support each other to find their wellington boots as they get ready to go to the

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need to do better?

forest-school area. Consequently, children are building secure and important relationships with others. n Staff support children with SEND very well. The nursery owner, who is the special educational needs coordinator (SENCo), uses her expertise to implement the early and ongoing support children might need. She has designed calming sensory areas that allow children the space and time they need to learn. Parents say they feel well supported and informed of the progress their children are making. This builds effective relationships that support the children's development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The leaders and staff fully understand their roles and responsibilities with regard to keeping children safe. Staff have a good understanding of procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child's welfare. Leaders understand the correct procedure to follow if there are allegations made against staff. The environment is assessed for risk throughout the day, and the premises are safe and secure. Staff count children in and out of rooms to ensure they remain safely accounted for. Recruitment processes are thorough and robust. This helps to keep children safe from harm.

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should:

n support staff to consistently implement effective behaviour strategies, so that children gain a secure understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe n enhance interactions between staff and children, so that all staff support children's early communication skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY548077 Local authority Walsall Inspection number 10315914 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 57 Number of children on roll 81 Name of registered person Charlie Caterpillar's Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07922 497136 Date of previous inspection 7 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Charlie Caterpillars Day Nursery registered in 2017. The nursery employs 22 members of childcare staff, of whom 17 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 to level 7. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 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 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 acting 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 talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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.

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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

9 November 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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