Puddle Ducks

Inspection of Puddle Ducks Hillcrest Primary School, Downham Market, Norfolk PE38 9ND

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Leaders and staff create a warm and friendly learning environment for all children. As children and their families arrive, staff talk to them about how they are feeling and discuss the day ahead. They show a genuine interest in what children are saying as they welcome them into the setting. Staff respond swiftly to those children who may need extra support. They know the children very well, and this helps them to support children's emotional needs effectively. Consequently, children feel safe, secure and settled in the nursery.

p.2

The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. They demonstrate a secure understanding of the rules of the setting as they sit and revisit expected behaviours during carpet time. Staff support children to share and play together collaboratively. When minor disagreements occur, staff respond quickly and sensitively to support children in coming to a mutual resolution.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff provide children with activities that motivate and interest them. They work hard to create an engaging learning environment where children's needs and interests are prioritised. Children become engrossed as they use paint brushes and water to make marks on the fence. Staff are on hand to support children's learning skilfully. They encourage them to discuss the marks they have made, building on their growing vocabulary and developing their understanding that print carries meaning. For those children who show an interest in writing their name, staff model how to use the paint brush and water to form each letter correctly. As a result of interactions such as these, children make good progress from their starting points and develop a positive attitude towards their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders and staff have devised a well-sequenced and balanced curriculum. They place a high focus on supporting children's personal, social and emotional development, which enables children to feel safe, secure and ready to learn. The curriculum is understood and implemented effectively across the nursery by the knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff. n Staff provide children with a range of rich experiences to learn about the world around them. They organise visits to a local care home, where children take part in creative activities with the residents. In the setting, children experience weekly music sessions. They enjoy singing songs as a local musician introduces them to different instruments. As part of wider school events, children learn about people who help us, and they have opportunities to talk to visitors from the different emergency services. Experiences such as these help to support children's understanding of others and their local community.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff provide children with opportunities to be independent. They encourage

p.2

need to do better?

6 February 2025 them to use the bathroom and to wash their hands independently. Children develop their physical skills as they pour their own drink and cut the fruit at snack time. However, staff sometimes do things for children that they can do themselves. This means that children do not consistently learn to be independent. n Staff work with parents effectively to support children who speak English as an additional language. They implement innovative ways for children to communicate, using technology and resources. For example, children use 'sound boards' with words and phrases recorded in their home language to help them explain their needs to staff. n Staff talk to children as they play, narrating their actions and introducing new and interesting words. For example, as children build volcanos in the sand, staff introduce words such as 'lava' as they talk about what happens when they erupt. Staff use questions to build on and extend children's learning. That said,

p.2

need to do better?

occasionally, staff do not give children enough time to consider and respond to the questions they ask. Sometimes, they give children the answer to the questions asked or ask further questions in quick succession. This means that children are not consistently supported in demonstrating what they know, in order for staff to build even more precisely on their learning. n Leaders are passionate and committed to delivering high-quality experiences for children. They work closely with the staff, discussing and evaluating the learning they provide for children on a daily basis. Leaders have a clear vision for continuous development and ongoing improvements, with a current focus on staff training. Staff feel highly valued by the leadership team.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n support staff to establish a more consistent approach to supporting children's developing independence skills n support staff to build on their questioning techniques to give children time to think, solve problems and develop their language skills further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2699597 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10367966 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 86 Name of registered person Penny, Fiona

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07767024094 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Puddle Ducks registered in 2022. It operates in Downham Market every weekday during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. The provider offers a breakfast club from 7.30am until 8.45am and after school care from 3.30pm until 5.45pm. The provider employs nine members of staff, of whom eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The provider offers funded early education places for eligible children.

p.4

Inspection activities

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 The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector and manager carried out joint observations of group activities. 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.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

6 February 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6