Buckden Day Nursery

Inspection of Buckden Day Nursery 16 Mill Road, Buckden, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 5SS

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive at this outstanding setting, where staff's passion for early education shines through. Staff offer exciting and interesting learning opportunities based on children's interests and next steps, supporting children's exceptional levels of engagement and concentration throughout their play and learning.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are incredibly kind and respectful to each other. They engage in regular conversations about their play and show genuine interest in their peers' lives. For example, children ask questions about families and special events that happen outside the setting. Children are proud to share their experiences with their friends and interact very well with all children at the setting.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is outstanding. They listen carefully to staff's instructions and follow these extremely well. Staff provide clear rules and boundaries for all ages and ensure children understand what is expected of them. Children's safety is paramount and staff constantly review the environment to ensure it is safe for children to explore freely. Furthermore, children are taught how to keep themselves safe. For example, outdoors, children look for risks in the environment and share with staff the importance of following rules and boundaries.

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need to do better?

n Staff prioritise children's personal and emotional needs at all times and act in the best interests to support children's well-being. This is demonstrated through observations as staff respond to crying babies and offer comfort and a reassuring touch. When children are settling in during their first few visits the key person is always close by and is consistent and responsive to their needs. Therefore, children settle quickly and develop close, secure attachments. Staff's sensitive and outstanding approach to children's individual needs underpins the wonderful progress children make at the setting. n Children's physical development is sequenced remarkably well throughout the setting. For example, younger babies benefit from a well-thought-out environment where they have space to move and develop their gross motor skills and core strength. As children grow they engage with more difficult learning opportunities, such as play dough, using tools to mix, cut and

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need to do better?

manipulate materials, in preparation for future writing. Staff's knowledge of how children learn is demonstrated exceptionally well through the learning opportunities they plan. n Staff demonstrate their incredibly high standard of teaching through interactions with children of all ages. Babies receive responsive, warm and positive facial expressions, while older children are asked questions and interactions from staff to extend and support their critical thinking. Staff tailor their teaching to meet

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need to do better?

21 August 2025 the needs of each individual child. n Staff demonstrate their excellent knowledge and understanding of children's individual needs and how well they know each of the children in their care. Staff work incredibly closely with other professionals to gain support and guidance for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They also carry out their own research to really ensure they provide the best opportunities for each child. Staff's passion and care is illustrated as they talk about how they thrive to provide the highest standard of care and learning for every child. n Through play, staff model and teach children a range of communication methods from a very young age. Babies learn to use sign language to communicate their needs and wants. Staff model clear words for children to learn and provide time for singing and reading. Staff continue to support older children as they begin to

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need to do better?

introduce letter sounds and support more in-depth conversations. Children's excellent language development is demonstrated through conversations and children's high levels of confidence. n The management team's consistent and constant approach to reflective practice means that staff are always finding new ways to improve, change and extend their teaching and the experiences they provide for children. Recently, staff working in the baby room removed all plastic seating and accessories, promoting children's physical development and attachment to their key person. Additionally, there is a plan to introduce forest school to the setting. Staff are receiving training and plans for an appropriate outdoor environment are in progress. This demonstrates staff's ongoing passion to continuously improve the care and learning they offer.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY335961 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10395102 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 82 Number of children on roll 123 Name of registered person Davidson-Roberts Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01480 810816 Date of previous inspection 25 October 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Buckden Day Nursery registered in 2006. The nursery employs 30 members of childcare staff. Of these, 23 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The setting provides government funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. 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 talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the deputy manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

21 August 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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