Puddleduck Nursery

Inspection of Puddleduck Nursery Howbery Park, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BA

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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

As children arrive, they are welcomed by happy, friendly staff, who build good relationships with them. This helps children feel safe and secure. Staff gather information about children when they first start and use regular observations to plan around children's likes and interests. As a result, children engage at activities for extended periods of time and make good progress from their starting points.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations for children. They implement routines that children understand and follow well. Staff are good role models and children behave well. If they display challenging behaviour, strategies are used to help children regulate their emotions. For example, staff have created a quiet area for children where they can use sensory equipment to support their self-regulation.

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The provision is good

Staff recognise the need for children to be active outdoors and plan activities in the garden to support children's learning. They have created a free flow environment so children can make choices for themselves. Children enjoy a variety of activities to enhance their developing physical skills. Younger children smile as they take part in action songs and laugh with each other as they move in different ways. Older children are proud to show how they use their balancing skills to complete an obstacle course.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan an ambitious curriculum and have a clear vision of what they want children to achieve. Planning is effective in supporting children to reach the next stage of their development. Regular observations of staff practice help identify training opportunities to further enhance the quality of teaching. Staff report that they feel happy in their roles and are supported by the management team. n Support for children's communication and language is a focus at the nursery. Staff successfully encourage babies' developing language skills and introduce rhyming words during children's play. Overall, staff successfully ask them questions to extend their learning. However, at times staff are quick to solve problems for the children. This means that children do not always use their critical thinking skills to solve problems for themselves. n Children demonstrate a love of books. They choose stories to share with staff

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need to do better?

and friends. Staff read clearly and with expression, which engages and excites the children. Children revisit the book area independently and spend long periods sitting and exploring books and stories. This deepens children's curiosity and promotes their literacy skills. n Mathematics is incorporated well into children's activities. Staff encourage counting through singing and games. Mathematical language is introduced, which children then use independently in their play. For example, children create

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need to do better?

14 November 2024 bubbles and talk about which ones are bigger. These experiences give children a secure base knowledge of mathematics. n Children's independence skills are supported well. Staff encourage children to pour their own drinks and self-serve at lunch time. Younger children successfully learn how to feed themselves. Older children are supported to use cutlery to cut their own food. This gives children a sense of achievement. n Staff help children to learn how to keep themselves healthy and safe. Children take part in healthy eating activities. Walks around the local community help children learn how to keep themselves safe near roads and when walking near water. Staff talk to children about being safe when using technology at the nursery and at home. n The inspection was carried out as part of a risk assessment due to concerns received relating to safeguarding policies and procedures. The provider was not

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need to do better?

working in line with local safeguarding partnership policies and procedures. However, since this time the provider has improved their knowledge and understanding of reportable incidents. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. Staff complete regular observations and assessments which help to identify gaps in children's development. Staff work with parents and other agencies to implement support plans to help children close these gaps. This means all children make good progress. n Staff provide parents with updates about what their child has been doing during the day. Parents comment that their children are excited to attend the nursery. However, staff do not give precise enough information about children's individual progress or how they can support learning at home.

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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 create more opportunities to challenge children's thinking and encourage them to solve problems n further improve information provided to parents to ensure they are aware of their child's next steps and how they can support learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY308572 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10372691 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 57 Number of children on roll 72 Name of registered person Hayden Associates Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01491 839 815 Date of previous inspection 31 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Puddleduck Nursery registered in 2005. It is run by Hayden Associates Ltd. The nursery is located in a business park in Crowmarsh Gifford, near Wallingford in Oxfordshire. It is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm, throughout the year. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. It employs 23 staff, including an administrator and cook. Of these, three staff are qualified at level 6, nine at level 3 and six at level 2.

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Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children spoke 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 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

14 November 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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