Tiddlywinks Day Nursery & Pre School

Inspection of Tiddlywinks Day Nursery & Pre School Springfield Parish Centre, St. Augustine Way, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 6GX

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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

Careful consideration of children's needs is given by the managers and staff to create a most welcoming play environment within this pack-away nursery. Children thrive and show a keen and eager interest to try new experiences and for learning. The exciting and ambitious curriculum is designed around children's interest and next steps in learning, along with seasonal themes. For example, children are learning about the winter season and of the different animal habitats. They explore ice in the garden and proudly show large blocks of ice they paint, explaining that the ice melts when they bring it indoors as it too warm. Staff take great care to ensure children settle well. They invest time in getting to know the family and tailor settling-in sessions to meet the children's needs.

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The provision is good

Children have established close and trusting bonds with their key person and demonstrate they feel safe and secure within their environment. Spontaneous play and careful planning is understood by the team and supports children's interests. For example, children decide to create a tractor using a large cardboard box. Attentive staff are skilful in their interactions. Children use sticky tape and scissors as they cut out shapes to decorate their model and confidently ask for help when needed. Children are busy and engaged in their play. Staff are calm, speak respectfully to the children and are good role models. Children understand the expectations of the nursery and overall, their behaviour is good.

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need to do better?

n All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress from their starting points. Staff have a secure knowledge of how to provide children with an exclusive curriculum that captures their interest and meets their individual needs. Good observations made and an understanding of how children learn, means early intervention is sought for those who may need extra support. n Parents speak highly of their children's experience at nursery. Many comment on their complete gratitude for the support their children receive. They say the staff team are professional, welcoming and go above and beyond their expectations. Parents say their children make good progress and are happy and settled. n Children have a variety of opportunities to develop a good concept of mathematics. Activities provided enable them the compare quantities, support counting, shape recognition and a basic understanding of volume during water

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need to do better?

play. Young children show sustained concentration as they build towers, counting the bricks they use, and balance animals on the top. Positional language is introduced by skilful staff and children talk about the top, bottom and underneath. n The team are led by committed and dedicated leaders. This is infectious and

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need to do better?

28 January 2025 staff speak positively of their roles at the nursery. They say they feel valued and their ideas are welcome. Staff speak of the support and encouragement they receive for their own personal development and recognise this has a positive impact for the children. n Children demonstrate a love for books. They sit quietly enjoying a book for pleasure. They thoroughly enjoy spontaneous stories and excitedly share what they know with visitors to the nursery. Children are positively encouraged to make decisions and have their say. For example, they frequently visit the library and choose books that interest them. They have opportunities to vote for the favourite story at group time. n Children learn the skills they need to be independent learners and prepare them for transition to school. For example, they take care of their personal needs as they access the bathroom, staff are nearby to support as needed. They know to

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need to do better?

change into outdoor boots and coats in preparation for garden play. They learn that print has meaning and have many opportunities to make marks and write their name. They thoroughly enjoy painting on the wall in the garden. They use clipboards, whiteboards and access a wide variety of writing materials in all of their play. n The staff constantly engage children in meaningful conversation and provide running commentaries during activities. They have a clear comprehension of how children develop their conversation skills, and introduce new words and signs to challenge their ability to communicate and increase their vocabulary. Staff provide many opportunities for singing and use songs to support children's language development. However, staff do not consistently ask questions to encourage children to think critically and solve problems for themselves.

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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 use effective questioning techniques to extend children's language, help them to think critically and solve problems independently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY283577 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10368459 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 42 Number of children on roll 63 Name of registered person Perry, Penny Ann

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reference number

Telephone number 01245 463245 Date of previous inspection 21 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Tiddlywinks Day Nursery & Pre School registered in 2004 and is situated in Chelmsford, Essex. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday during term time only, from 8.30am to 4pm. The nursery provides funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager, deputy and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the curriculum and what it is that the team want the children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n Parents provided the inspector with oral feedback at the inspection. n The manager, deputy and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The inspector spoke with the staff team during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of the staff working in the nursery.

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Inspection activities

28 January 2025 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

28 January 2025 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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