Cracker Jacks Day Nursery Ltd

Inspection of Cracker Jacks Day Nursery Ltd 3 Foundry Way, Eaton Socon, St. Neots PE19 8TR

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

The nursery staff provide a welcoming and interesting environment for children. Staff help children to settle in sensitively. They bond with children and soothe and comfort them. Staff know children's care needs very well. They tailor the day to support children. This helps children to feel secure in the nursery. As a result, children behave well, readily busying themselves in learning.

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The provision is good

Staff take babies out to become familiar with their local area. Older children have great fun exploring the forest school area. They excitedly look for bugs under log seats. Staff skilfully draw children's attention to the features of the creatures. Staff ask a range of interesting questions and wait for children to think of answers. For example, children describe the centipedes as 'wrinkly'. Older children spend time investigating the environment. Staff follow their interests to develop them further, adding language when playing with children to extend their vocabulary. For example, as children have an interest in daisies, staff use this to talk about the parts of a flower. Staff also include mathematical language during play. They help older children differentiate between long and short worms. Staff use words such as 'full' and 'empty' as young children fill flowerpots with soil. This helps children to

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The provision is good

develop awareness of early mathematical concepts in a meaningful and playful way.

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need to do better?

n The leadership team has an ambitious vision for the children. Leaders are aware of the skills and knowledge staff need to gain to educate young children successfully. Leaders value staff training and learning in order to ensure children have a quality care and learning experience. As such, there is a clear programme of bespoke training delivered on a regular basis to support the staff and meet the needs of children. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive good levels of support. Staff work closely with the families and other professionals. For example, they identify children's emerging needs and begin the education, health and care plan assessment process as early as possible. Staff adapt their practice to ensure children are included safely in a range of experiences. As a result, children with SEND make good progress from their starting points. n Staff foster physical development well. They support babies to sit and entice

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need to do better?

them to crawl, strengthening their core muscles. Toddlers squat to dig in mud, using their whole arms. Older children walk up and down stairs safely and run with control. This helps to develop their coordination. Staff also support children to build up their hand control and use tools and equipment skilfully. For example, older children use scissors to cut pictures out of magazines. n Children are becoming confident communicators. Staff sing to babies and they join in making animal noises during familiar nursery rhymes. Toddlers make cups

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need to do better?

26 March 2025 of tea in the home corner and offer them to staff, building key relationships. Older children listen attentively as they hold conversations with staff. They talk about what they have learned throughout the day then sing songs linked to the topic. This helps children to develop concentration skills. n Teaching is good. Staff explain activities well and ask a range of questions to support children's thinking. Children demonstrate confidence to attempt to solve their own problems. For instance, when there is not enough spades to plant seeds, children collect a spade from the sandpit to use to dig. However, on occasion, staff do not stretch the most-able children's abilities. n Staff understand that children can learn from any activity. They know their key children well. They identify next steps in learning accurately. However, these are not linked to activities sharply enough to help children make even better

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need to do better?

progress in their learning. n Staff are good at encouraging children to become independent. They allow babies time to hold their bottles and have a go at feeding themselves. Older children wait in line patiently to wash their hands independently. They follow routines and listen well to the staff. This range of activities helps to prepare children for the next stage in their education. n Parents are very happy with the service. They feel well supported by the staff to help their children learn and develop. Staff and parents regularly share information about children. This helps to complement the care and learning at home and in nursery. Parents report they feel included in the nursery events, such as Mother's Day celebrations.

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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 help staff to focus sharply on children's next steps in learning so they make even better progress in their learning n strengthen teaching to ensure that the most-able children are consistently challenged in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2820164 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10394997 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 68 Number of children on roll 98 Name of registered person Cracker Jacks Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01480477515 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Cracker Jacks Day Nursery Ltd registered in 2024. It employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above, including the manager who holds a level 6 qualification. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for all eligible children. It provides before- and after-school care and a holiday club for older children.

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

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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

26 March 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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