Puddleducks Day Nursery

Inspection of Puddleducks Day Nursery 30a High Street, Croughton, Brackley, Northamptonshire NN13 5LT

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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 enjoy their time at this welcoming and homely nursery. Staff know the children well and develop close bonds, helping children feel safe and secure. Children leave their parents with ease and settle quickly into their day. Staff create a calm environment. They use daily routines, to help children to understand what is coming next. For example, in the morning children know they have a welcome song and before lunch they join in with yoga or dance. Children show high levels of confidence in their interactions with adults and have a positive attitude to learning.

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The provision is good

Children thrive in the exciting outdoor learning environment that inspires their curiosity. Staff show toddlers how to squeeze and roll dough to strengthen their hand muscles. They promote children's sensory exploration, encouraging them to smell the lemon scent and pick flowers to add to their dough. Staff encourage babies to become inquisitive and confident learners and promote their physical development. For example, babies use their whole bodies and various tools to create marks with paint.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. Staff are positive role models and are consistent with expected behaviours. For example, staff support children to take turns as they share the baby bath to wash the dolls. This supports all children to understand how to cooperate with others.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have devised a curriculum that offers children a wide set of experiences that prepare them for their next stage of learning. Staff plan many opportunities for children to develop their confidence and independence well. For example, they encourage children from a young age to serve themselves during mealtimes, pour their own drinks and put on their shoes before going outside. n Staff use their in-depth knowledge of what children know and can do to adapt their planning to focus on children's changing interests. For example, they follow children's interest in farm animals, using books, model animals and visits to the local farm. However, when carrying out some planned activities not all staff are clear on what they want children to learn. Therefore, on these occasions, children lose interest and are not fully supported by staff to help them make the best possible progress. n Staff provide high levels of support for children's communication and language

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need to do better?

development. They use various methods to support children, such as sign language and objects of reference alongside spoken words. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported well. Staff gather key words in their home language to support communication in the nursery. They often introduce new words to children during their play and take every opportunity to

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need to do better?

24 July 2024 sing songs, rhymes and read books. n Children's physical development is well supported. Staff create an environment that is well planned to allow young children to move freely. Children access equipment to support pulling themselves up, taking steps and climbing. All children have further opportunities to practise their larger physical skills and engage within the community as they go on walks to the local parks, farm and around the village. n Staff encourage children to keep trying and to explore all that is on offer. For example, children chop and peel different types of fruit and explore the smells, tastes and feel of each one. Staff introduce new words, such as 'sweet and sour' or 'rough and smooth'. They encourage children to repeat these words to embed understanding. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents are full of praise for the nursery, saying their children have 'thrived' since attending. Staff invite parents to events

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need to do better?

hosted at the nursery. They use these opportunities well to help parents understand what their children are learning. Staff encourage parents to borrow books to read with their children. They share ideas on how parents can continue children's learning at home. n Leaders reflect on practice and strive for continuous improvement for children's overall experiences. They have recently changed the way staff assess children's learning. This has reduced staff workload, allowing the children to benefit from more quality interactions with staff. Staff say their well-being is well supported and they feel valued at the nursery.

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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 to focus more precisely on the intent for children's learning during adult-led activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY218008 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10337208 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 34 Number of children on roll 52 Name of registered person Grant, Lesley

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reference number

Telephone number 01869 811222 Date of previous inspection 13 August 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Puddleducks Day Nursery registered in 2002. It employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The provider and manager hold management qualifications at level 5. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-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 and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the registered individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

24 July 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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