Speckled Hen Day Nursery

Inspection of Speckled Hen Day Nursery School Lodge, Station Road, Sedbergh LA10 5DL

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children arrive happily and are warmly greeted by friendly and nurturing staff. Children are eager to enter this setting, which provides a home-from-home atmosphere. Staff liaise closely with parents to find out about children's individual needs and work diligently to offer a consistent approach for children. Staff are very alert to children's care needs and are quick to offer a reassuring hug if a child is a little upset. Children have built secure attachments with staff. For example, they giggle with delight as they play hide and seek together. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the care of staff.

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The provision is good

Staff have developed a curriculum that engages children through their interests and supports them towards their next stages in learning. For example, staff collect resources, plan activities and read stories that help children to understand their current interests. Children are active learners and are eager to explore their surroundings.

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The provision is good

Staff are positive role models and help children to understand routines and boundaries. For example, children aged two years are able to gather carpet mats together as they sit on the floor and then put them away again. Staff offer constant praise and encouragement and celebrate children's achievements. Children are happy to share resources and demonstrate good listening and attention skills. Children's behaviour is very good.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum supports children to develop skills in all areas of learning. For example, younger children draw marks in wet sand, while older children draw figures complete with facial features. However, opportunities for children to practise mathematical skills independently as they play are not always considered. This means that children are not always able to explore and build on their understanding of mathematical concepts. n Communication and language is supported well. Staff encourage children to sing a variety of rhymes every day, such as the 'hello song' and songs about the weather. In addition, staff read stories, teach children new vocabulary and ask older children questions. This allows children to recap on their knowledge and build their communication and language skills. Children are able to express their needs and are confident to make their own choices. n Healthy lifestyles are promoted. Children enjoy freshly made meals and access

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need to do better?

the outdoors every day. However, although children enjoy being outdoors, staff do not always plan children's learning in the same depth as they do indoors. This does not support children who prefer to learn in the outdoor environment. n Staff plan opportunities for children to take part in experiences in the local

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need to do better?

7 July 2025 community. For example, children enjoy visiting a local café to buy a drink and visit the fire station to meet fire fighters. Staff teach children about personal safety, such as staying safe when accessing the internet. Children are developing an awareness of personal safety. n Partnerships with parents are good. Staff share regular information with parents and invite them on outings with children. They have recently implemented a home learning library to support home learning, which has been successful. Parents say that staff create a nurturing environment and that they are genuinely passionate about fostering child development. These partnerships help to provide a consistent approach for children. n Partnerships with other professionals are well established. Staff from local schools are invited into the setting as children prepare to leave for school, which helps children to transition. Staff work closely with wider professionals to

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need to do better?

support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Through assessment, they identify when children may need support and put strategies in place to narrow any gaps in learning. These partnerships help all children to make good progress. n Senior leaders are very supportive of staff and encourage them to progress in their career. Training has a positive impact for children. For example, staff have recently attended training on promoting communication. They have incorporated resources such as puppets and musical instruments to encourage early speech. Staff share the same vision for the setting and the children in their care.

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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 develop the curriculum for mathematics, so that children are able to test out their ideas and enhance their mathematical knowledge n strengthen outdoor learning opportunities, in order to support children who prefer to learn outdoors.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2742277 Local authority Westmorland and Furness Inspection number 10364701 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Leading & Learning Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01539566039 Date of previous inspection 7 August 2024

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Information about this early years setting

Speckled Hen Day Nursery registered in 2023 and is located in Sedbergh, Cumbria, within the grounds of Sedbergh School. The nursery is run independently of the school and employs four members of childcare staff. One member of staff holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, one holds a qualification at level 3, one holds a qualification at level 2 and one is an apprentice. The setting operates from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The deputy manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and spoke to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with leaders about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector and deputy manager carried out a joint observation. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at a sample of relevant documentation.

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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

7 July 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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