Over Puddleducks Preschool

Inspection of Over Puddleducks Preschool Over Community Centre, 16 The Doles, Over, Cambridge CB24 5NW

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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 Good

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The provision is outstanding

The enthusiastic manager and her dedicated team welcome children warmly into this exciting pre-school. Their energetic approach supports children to settle swiftly and have a positive attitude to their learning. Children form close attachments to staff who are highly responsive to their individual needs. As a result, children feel safe and secure in their nurturing care.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff provide exceptionally stimulating play opportunities that enable children to become deeply absorbed in their learning. Children delight at creating dragon potions in their outdoor kitchen. They measure out various sensory ingredients, including 'slimy venom' and 'sparkling eggs', exploring the changes in the appearance and texture of their potions.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are polite, considerate and demonstrate empathy for others. Staff have exceptional strategies in place to support children's understanding of appropriate behaviour. When children struggle taking turns in activities, staff encourage them to develop strategies to resolve conflict. They take time to explore children's emotions and the impact their resulting behaviour has on themselves and others.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff encourage children to complete age-appropriate tasks within the pre-school. Children relish the responsibility of maintaining the outdoor play area, ensuring that it remains safe for everyone. They follow routines confidently, placing their possessions away on arrival and listening attentively during group discussions. As a result, children are incredibly well prepared for their next stage of learning.

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need to do better?

n Staff embrace children's individuality and skilfully support their learning based on their unique interests. They create inspirational activities that encourage children to become deeply absorbed in their learning. For example, when children arrive dressed as superheroes, they explore what this means to them. Staff build on these ideas to develop children's critical thinking skills. They support children to create detailed maps of the pre-school and plan escape routes to keep their friends safe. n Staff support children's mathematical development extremely well across all activities. They skilfully use children's interests as the basis of their teaching. For example, children explore the difference between centimetres and inches while measuring themselves. Staff then support them to independently measure other objects in the environment. n The provider and committee play an active role in the organisation of the pre-

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need to do better?

school. They are highly committed to supporting the team in delivering high- quality learning opportunities to all children who attend. For example, the

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need to do better?

23 April 2024 committee organise regular fundraising events and share their areas of expertise with managers and staff. n Developing children's language skills is deeply embedded in every aspect of the pre-school's practice. Staff complete additional training to deliver Makaton sessions that support all children's communication. Children are encouraged to discuss their interests during regular group discussions. Staff are strong role models. They display excellent language skills and demonstrate new vocabulary at every opportunity. n The manager is highly committed to providing exceptional learning opportunities for children. She reflects diligently on all areas of practice, making well- considered changes that she monitors closely. For example, recent changes to children's routines on arrival support them to develop skills that prepare them exceptionally well for their next stage of learning. n Children have many wonderful opportunities to explore ways of life beyond their

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need to do better?

own. They celebrate one another's unique customs and traditions in age- appropriate ways. For example, children create dolls depicting national costumes and enjoy tasting various foods that families bring in to share. Leaders provide meaningful opportunities for children to engage in their local community. Children look forward to sharing stories with their friends at the nearby day centre and delight at recalling visits from the local riding stables. n Relationships with families are of an exceptionally high standard. Parents are actively involved in the day-to-day routines of the pre-school. They regularly visit to read with children and enjoy celebratory meals that children help prepare. Parents offer their skills and knowledge to support children's learning. For example, they are currently helping to establish an allotment area where children can grow their own fruits and vegetables. n Morale is high and staff report that they feel exceptionally well supported by

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need to do better?

leaders. The manager conducts highly effective appraisals and supervisions to identify training opportunities. All staff develop areas of expertise that they share with colleagues to support the needs of all children.

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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 221787 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10335317 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Over Puddleducks Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07866 096825 Date of previous inspection 12 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Over Puddleducks Preschool opened in 1998 and employs seven members of childcare staff, including one with qualified teacher status and four who hold childcare qualifications at level 3. The pre-school is open from 9am until 3pm, Monday to Friday, during school term time only. It 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 pre-school 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 considered the views of parents by speaking to several during the inspection and reviewing feedback letters. n The inspector held discussions with the pre-school provider and manager. She looked at relevant documentation and reviewed the suitability of all staff. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children during activities. n The inspector and manager completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector held discussions with staff about the monitoring of learning and development in the setting and tracked the progress of several children.

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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

23 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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