Chickywicks Day Nursery

Inspection of Chickywicks Day Nursery St. Johns United Reformed Church, Hallowell Road, Northwood, Hillingdon HA6 1DN

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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

Parents comment that staff provide a loving and caring environment for children. Staff cuddle and reassure children whenever they need it. This helps children to feel settled and build secure relationships with staff. Children form strong attachments to their key persons. Although the nursery is organised over two rooms for older and younger children, children have access to all areas. This allows children to follow their interests and spend time with the adults who make them feel secure. Siblings benefit from the free-flow arrangements which enable them to spend time together. This supports their learning and emotional well-being.

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The provision is good

There is an ambitious curriculum for all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children develop a love of stories. Staff read to children in an engaging and enthusiastic way. They use props well when reading stories to support children's understanding and attention. However, during some activities in the pre-school room, the noise level makes it hard for children to hear and concentrate.

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The provision is good

Older children demonstrate kindness towards their younger peers, offering them toys without prompting from an adult. They keenly follow the daily routines, independently putting their personal belongings away in their locker, and helping hand out plates during lunch.

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need to do better?

n Leaders provide an inclusive environment where all children feel welcome and valued. Staff actively work with parents and other agencies to begin assessment processes for children with SEND. This early identification enables children and parents to get the help and support they need. Staff know the children well; this helps keep children safe. They show consideration for children's individual behaviours and offer lots of support. For example, they have ensured children have areas when they can retreat, rest and gain a sense of privacy. n Children enjoy access to a well-resourced outdoor area. They develop their strength as they pull themselves up on the climbing equipment. Staff ensure children are kept safe in the hot weather. Staff use everyday routines to introduce new words to children well. For example, staff explain the word 'vegetarian' over lunch, and introduce the word 'hydrated' to children while

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need to do better?

discussing the very hot weather on the day of the inspection. n Staff work closely with parents to ensure that they understand children's starting points, for example the stage in weaning that babies have reached. Staff state they would not introduce new textures or foods without the explicit permission of parents. Children have access to a healthy lunch and snacks throughout the day. However, when children do not eat the food offered to them, staff very

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need to do better?

19 July 2024 quickly give them a biscuit or cracker as an alternative. This does not support children well to develop an understanding of healthy eating nor encourage them to eat a wider range of foods. n Overall, staff support children's early literacy skills well. For instance, young children make marks with crayons on large sheets of paper, and babies play with mixtures of flour and water. This helps develop children's motor skills in preparation for later writing. Staff model new language well, which supports later reading. However, staff lack understanding of how to introduce letters and phonic sounds to children. For example, at times, staff concentrate on teaching capital letters, or letter names, before the sounds. This may conflict with later teaching and learning approaches that children encounter when they begin school. n Staff enjoy working in the nursery and the support they receive from their

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need to do better?

manager. Staff turnover is very low and therefore children benefit from consistent relationships with adults. Staff access training opportunities which help them to understand their responsibilities and develop their practice to support children with SEND. However, there are fewer opportunities for staff to access training to improve their understanding of supporting children's early literacy. n Strong partnerships exist between the nursery and other professionals. For example, health visitors and teachers from local schools visit. The nursery involves children in fundraising events and outings in their local area, developing their understanding and sense of belonging to the local community.

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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 consider ways in which to develop the curriculum to support children to learn about the importance of a healthy diet and experience new foods n support staff to take part in training that enhances curriculum knowledge, with particular reference to early literacy n help staff to consider the impact of noise levels on children's learning, to better support children's concentration skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY381842 Local authority Hillingdon Inspection number 10351527 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 31 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Chickywicks Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01923 841725 Date of previous inspection 19 September 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Chickywicks Day Nursery registered in 2008. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.30pm for 51 weeks of the year. There are 10 members of staff, nine of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 6. The nursery is in receipt of funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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 Children spoke to, or communicated with, 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 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 carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager.

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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

19 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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