Dell Cottage Day Nursery

Inspection of Dell Cottage Day Nursery 76 Walkford Road, Walkford, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 5QG

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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 warm, welcoming nursery. They are happy, motivated and socially confident. Staff know children extremely well and skilfully plan curriculum- based activities tailored to all children's individual needs, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children with gaps in their learning make rapid progress.

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The provision is outstanding

Leaders and staff create a rich language environment. Babies listen intently to staff as they talk with them while they fill buckets with sand. Staff skilfully expand babies' sounds and words and accelerate their use of language. Younger children enthusiastically invent new lyrics to well-known songs such as 'The Wheels on the Bus' and use pictures of vehicles to generate a range of fun sounds and inspire new vocabulary. Older children sustain their concentration as they play games that help them to recognise the patterns in language. They say, 'Mat, bat and cat all sound the same!'

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The provision is outstanding

Staff provide clear boundaries and structure to children's learning and play. Children feel safe and confident as they explore and become deeply involved in their learning. Leaders deploy staff strategically to ensure that children get the maximum benefit from the outdoor area. Children get lots of exercise. They climb up tricky climbing walls, developing strength in their hands and core muscles. They respond positively to staff instructions to ensure that they are safe.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum to make sure that all children, including those with SEND, make excellent progress. They consistently strive to find effective ways of working with children and focus on initiatives that will improve their learning. They set a great example by modelling expectations to staff and inspiring them to quickly incorporate effective teaching practices throughout the setting. n Leaders and staff accurately identify the developmental needs of children under their care. They systematically and regularly focus their attention on children's progress and reflect deeply on the steps required for them to progress even further. Leaders monitor, challenge and enhance staff's understanding of individual children's development and support them in designing curriculum activities that help children to make accelerated progress. Staff share their findings with parents and encourage them to contribute to their children's next

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need to do better?

steps. Their strong partnership and collaboration with parents increases their shared expectations of what children can do. They share in their excitement of children's achievements. n Leaders support their staff to continually develop professionally. They empower

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need to do better?

16 April 2024 staff with the skills to evaluate for themselves how to improve children's learning. Staff reflect on training that they have attended and take time to determine what would best benefit children in their setting. They regularly discuss, model and support one another to incorporate new ideas in their day-to- day practice. For example, staff have fully embedded high-quality mathematical experiences for children. Staff and children make a tally chart on a chalkboard to count the number of balls they throw through a hoop and use metre rulers to measure the length of play dough they have rolled out. They say, 'That's a six and a nine, 69!' Children talk accurately and confidently about the shapes that they have painted. n Staff plan highly sequenced learning opportunities to help to introduce children to the world around them. They film videos of what it is like shopping at the supermarket and build role-play shops where children re-enact dialogue,

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need to do better?

practising the vocabulary appropriate for a conversation with a shopkeeper. Children are excited to go on trips to the local post office and love the experience of sending and receiving a letter. They learn how plants grow as they inspect the roots of bedding flowers and talk with staff about water, soil and the sunlight they need to grow well. Staff reinforce key vocabulary by singing simple songs about how plants grow. n Children's behaviour is excellent. Staff quickly support children to manage their emotions, particularly for children with SEND. Leaders and staff place great importance on supporting children's communication skills to help them regulate their behaviour. Leaders provide tailored training for both staff and parents to attend together to ensure consistent and effective interactions with children with SEND.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY315470 Local authority Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Inspection number 10335831 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 60 Name of registered person Dell Cottage Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01425 274411 Date of previous inspection 28 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Dell Cottage Day Nursery is privately owned and registered in 2005. It operates from a converted house in Walkford, an area of Highcliffe in Dorset. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, from 8am to 6pm. There are currently 12 staff who work with children. Seven staff hold early years qualifications at level 3, three at level 2, and two at level 6. The manager has early years professional status.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The 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 viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

16 April 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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