Oakey Dokey Childcare

Inspection of Oakey Dokey Childcare Units 9&10 Danesholme Centre, Corby, Northamptonshire NN18 9EJ

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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 are warmly welcomed as they arrive at the setting, by staff who know them and their parents well. Children are happy and quickly settle as they meet familiar staff. Parents are very grateful for the care their children are given. One child tells their parent, 'I have so many friends.'

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. Older children are consistently supported to manage their feelings and understand how their behaviour affects others. Staff help children to develop the social skills they need to play together. They lead by example, encouraging children to listen to each other, take turns and share resources. Staff praise children when they have tried hard, which develops their self-esteem. For example, when a child remembers to say thank you, staff tell them they are 'superstars'.

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The provision is good

Staff place a high importance on teaching children useful independence skills. Children learn to confidently manage their own needs and know to follow a good hygiene routine. Staff support younger children to look after themselves as they encourage them to wipe their nose and dispose of the tissues. Throughout the day older children are motivated to pour their drinks, toilet themselves and put their outdoor clothing on.

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need to do better?

n Parents speak highly of the setting and have good relationships with staff. They say their children are happy to attend and are always eager to attend. Staff provide a range of opportunities to share information between the nursery and home. For example, a daily diary is used by some families or time given when children are dropped off. This a based on parental preferences and meets their needs. n The curriculum is well planned and sequenced. Staff know the children very well and can confidently talk about their starting points and next steps. As children transition, staff share a detailed handover that informs the new key worker of all relevant information. n Staff effectively support children through periods of transition. There is an emphasis on the child's readiness and consultation with parents, followed by a tailored transition period, starting from one hour and building up to a whole day. n Parents and carers praise the setting for their ongoing support, reporting that

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need to do better?

the setting has, 'met the needs of the children,' and that, 'emotional needs are met with kindness and consistency.' n Staff work with children in small group bubbles that were established for some children during the COVID-19 pandemic. This allows staff to gain detailed knowledge of the children in their care. However, there are occasions when staff

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need to do better?

7 December 2023 are not deployed effectively enough to support children who then lose interest and remove themselves from play activities. n The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) works closely with parents and other professionals to ensure that children get the required levels of support they need. Staff identify when children need additional help and are confident in seeking advice from other agencies. This ensures children receive the best possible start to their education. n Lunchtime is a social occasion, when the whole setting eats together. Children develop their independence skills as they open their lunch boxes and wrappers. However, occasionally, the preparation for lunchtime means that children wait for prolonged periods after they have washed their hands and they are waiting for their peers to do the same. n Staff model positive behaviours. Children are familiar with sayings, such as 'kind

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need to do better?

hands' and 'listening ears' that are used across the setting. Staff promote sharing and turn-taking as part of daily interactions. Children play well together, eagerly showing each other the play dough cakes they have made and patiently waiting their turn as they cook in the play oven. n The manager provides regular opportunities for staff to discuss their performance and set targets to improve their knowledge and skills. Staff value these opportunities and feel supported in their role.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff demonstrate a good knowledge of signs and indicators which could suggest that a child is at risk of harm. They know how to make a referral if they have concerns about the welfare of a child. The manager follows robust procedures and works closely with outside agencies to ensure information is consistently shared to keep children safe. The manager ensures that safe recruitment checks are carried out to ensure the ongoing suitability of staff working with children. The nursery is routinely checked to ensure the safety of children at the start of the day.

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should:

n deploy staff effectively in order for all children's needs to be met n use strategies to make the most of daily routines so children are not having prolonged periods of inactivity.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY440387 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10300941 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 120 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Oakey Dokey Childcare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01536742000 Date of previous inspection 15 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Oakey Dokey Childcare was registered in 2012. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, 9 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. One staff member holds a qualification at level 6. The nursery opens from 7 am until 7 pm, Monday to Friday for 47.5 weeks of the year. 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 manager shared a range of documentation, such as evidence of staff qualification and paediatric first-aid qualifications. n The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) spoke to the inspector about supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector and the manager completed a learning walk of the setting where they discussed the early years provision and the aims of the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact on the children's learning. n A joint observation with the nursery manager was carried out during a play dough activity. n The inspector held discussions with the staff and the manager throughout the

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Inspection activities

visit. n The inspector spoke with several parents about their own experience of the setting.

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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

7 December 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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