Little Ducklings Preschool

Inspection of Little Ducklings Preschool Pickering Liberal Club, 1 Smiddy Hill, Pickering YO18 7AN

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children arrive happily and settle quickly due to the warm welcome provided by staff. Their settled behaviour shows that they feel safe with the staff. Senior staff create a streamlined day that helps children to focus on their learning. Children are secure in the well-planned and well-rehearsed routines. Parents comment that the structure provided at pre-school has helped their children to listen and concentrate.

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The provision is good

Children are keen to talk about their pre-school and what they have learnt. Due to effective teaching, children remember when they waited for chickens to hatch from the eggs. They are excited to see the changes to the caterpillars. They talk about the importance of self-care as they bath the dolls or play the toothbrushing game. Children are motivated and enjoy their learning.

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The provision is good

Children become increasingly independent in their self-care and in their learning. For example, they butter their own crackers, pour their own drinks and clear their pots away afterwards. They also confidently help themselves to resources that they need. For example, children go to get the trainer scissors when they are struggling to cut their pictures out.

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need to do better?

n Staff get to know the children and their families well. This means they quickly identify when children need extra support from other agencies. Additional funding is used effectively to help children to engage fully in the curriculum or catch up with their peers. For example, children explain proudly that they have to take their shoes off and find a mat when they go for their yoga class. They learn to listen calmly and follow instructions. n Managers create an interesting curriculum based around children's interests and the skills that they need to learn and practice. On the whole, this is delivered effectively. However, there have been recent staff changes resulting in some minor inconsistencies. n On the whole, staff make good use of the space and resources available. Although there is no outdoor area, children have fun developing their physical skills at local parks. In poorer weather, children benefit from being out in the

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need to do better?

community. For example, they visit the library or the local railway station. However, there are limited opportunities for babies and toddlers to develop their physical skills indoors on such days. n Staff help children to lead a healthy lifestyle. Children learn to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. They learn that their bones will grow big and strong from drinking their milk. They enjoy fresh fruit at snack time. n Staff promote children's good language development. Children enjoy books, stories and rhymes. Staff introduce mathematical language at every opportunity

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need to do better?

15 May 2024 as children play. They also help children to listen for the initial sound of their name as they take their turn to get ready for lunch. Staff usually identify key vocabulary that children need to learn for particular themes and topics. On the whole, staff remember to reinforce this learning throughout the day. n Staff make sure that conversation is at the heart of the children's day. Children confidently talk to each other, to staff, and to the inspector throughout the day. They are used to listening to others and being listened to. They know that their contribution is valued. This promotes children's developing language and supports their learning in all other areas. Children's confidence to express themselves is also an asset to their safety. n Staff use praise effectively to encourage children's good behaviour. Children are proud for getting ready for their walk to the park. Staff know which children will

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need to do better?

need more support while they are out. Some staff use labelled praise well. For example, they praise children for 'good listening', 'excellent waiting' or 'wonderful writing'. This means that children know exactly what is expected of them and they are keen to take part. They are used to listening to adults and heeding what they say. This promotes their good behaviour and their learning.

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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 introduce more opportunities for babies and younger children to develop their physical skills indoors as they would at home, for example, by adding resources for them to safely pull themselves up and/or climb n continue to improve monitoring systems to provide even greater consistency in the quality of teaching, for example, in the use of labelled praise and in helping children to practice key vocabulary.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2767823 Local authority North Yorkshire Inspection number 10327809 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 25 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person Forshaw, Stephanie

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reference number

Telephone number 07979 105034 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Ducklings Preschool re-registered in 2023. It is situated in Pickering, North Yorkshire. The preschool employs eight members of childcare staff, four of whom hold relevant early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The preschool opens all year round, Monday to Friday from 8am until 3pm, with the exception of bank holidays. The provider offers free early education funding for children aged two-, three- and four-years old.

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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 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector observed children taking part in a range of activities both indoors and out and discussed their learning with staff. n The inspector spoke with the owner, the co-manager and staff during the inspection. Parents and children also contributed their views and these were taken into account. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector viewed all areas of the premises used for childcare. The inspector also accompanied staff and children to a local park to assess the safety,

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Inspection activities

suitability and relevance of off-site activity.

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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

15 May 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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