Puddles Nursery

Inspection of Puddles Nursery Hesters Way Community Resource Centre, Cassin Drive, CHELTENHAM, Gloucestershire GL51 7SU

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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 eager to start their learning as they arrive at this welcoming nursery. They separate well from parents and carers, and staff welcome them warmly. They share a good handover about how their child has been. Staff have high expectations for the children to achieve and develop resilience to 'have a go'. Staff devise a rich curriculum tailored to each child's needs and abilities. There is a clear emphasis on the prime areas of learning with the younger children to make sure they have secure foundations on which to build their lifelong learning. Older children show great excitement as they go on a 'bear hunt' in the garden, and staff adapt the story of 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' to fit their surroundings. For example, they come across a large pile of 'rustling leaves' and a 'wobbly bridge' that they have to negotiate. Babies enjoy exploring wooden puzzles as staff name the different animals. Toddlers explore how to look after their teeth. They use a

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The provision is good

toothbrush to clean the model teeth and then practise with a new toothbrush on their own teeth. This helps children to learn about good oral health.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. They know and understand the rules from an early age. If children are having problems managing their feelings, staff use visual prompts and resources linked to the 'Colour Monster' to help them explain how they are feeling. Children show consideration to each other and invite them to join their play. When children are going outside, they pass each other their coats, and older children help the younger ones to get ready to go in the garden.

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need to do better?

n Management is proactive in making sure that staff have the skills they need for their role. For example, staff working with the babies have just completed 'Talking with babies', which has enabled them to interact more and support the expansion of babies' vocabulary. All staff report that management ensures that their well-being is at the forefront of everything they do. They have appointed a member of staff specifically responsible for staff well-being. Staff report that they feel valued and they can contribute ideas to improve the nursery provision. n Partnerships with parents are secure. Parents are pleased with their children's progress and feel that staff help them with supporting their children's learning at home. They love the online communication, which includes photographs they can view while they are at work, and know that their child is happy, settled, and enjoying their time in nursery.

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need to do better?

n Staff work well together as a team and, in general, support children's learning well. There is an effective key-person system to make sure every child has support. Staff liaise with parents to make sure they have an up-to-date picture of children's progress. However, occasionally, there are times when staff are not consistently engaging with the younger children to help them make the best

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need to do better?

26 January 2024 possible progress. n Children learn about healthy lifestyles. They benefit from nutritious snacks and meals, and staff sit with them, making mealtimes a very social occasion. Children learn about how exercise helps their bodies. They talk about using their muscles and how their heart pumps blood around their bodies to keep them warm. Children take part in activities where they learn about good oral health and how to clean their teeth properly. The nursery has appointed a children's well-being officer, who is responsible for promoting children's well-being throughout the nursery. n Staff place a high emphasis on developing children's personal, social and emotional development, their communication and language, and their physical skills. Children build good relationships and feel secure. They learn new words, and older children communicate their needs effectively, showing their curiosity

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need to do better?

about the world around them. All children gain the necessary skills to support their well-being and physical skills. For example, staff support them to develop the muscles in their hands during various activities and encourage them to practise making marks in preparation for early writing. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are particularly well supported. The special educational needs coordinator works very closely with staff and parents to make sure that children get the support they need. In addition, they ensure the appropriate documentation is submitted ready for the child's transition to school, making it smoother for all.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n support staff who work with younger children to be consistent and use every opportunity to maximise their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY343475 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10311686 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 38 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Desirable Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01242 527545 Date of previous inspection 5 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Puddles Nursery is one of two nurseries owned by Desirable Childcare Limited. It registered in 2007. It operates from a purpose-built building in the Hesters Way area of Cheltenham. The nursery is open each weekday, from 8am to 6pm, for 51 weeks a year. The nursery operates a holiday club during all school holidays, except Christmas, when the nursery closes. Currently, the nursery offers this to children aged up to five years. The nursery employs 12 staff, including the manager, to work directly with the children. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above.

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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 completed a joint observation with the one of the managers and discussed their findings. n The inspector completed a learning walk with the managers and discussed the curriculum for each room. n The management team and the inspector held a leadership and management discussion, and the inspector viewed documentation relating to staff records. n The inspector spoke to parents to gain their views. n The inspector spoke to children and staff throughout the inspection at appropriate times.

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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

26 January 2024 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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