The Cottage Private Day Nursery (Uttoxeter Road)

Inspection of The Cottage Private Day Nursery (Uttoxeter Road) Uttoxeter Road, Mickleover, DERBY DE3 9AX

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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

Children form strong, positive relationships with staff. Staff get to know the children well and incorporate their interests into play. For example, staff introduce dinosaurs into the provision and extend children's learning using new vocabulary. Children learn about different names and features of dinosaurs. Children confidently access the environment and interact with staff. All children, including those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress from their starting points.

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The provision is good

Staff support children's understanding of emotions. When reading books, staff name how a character is feeling. Children repeat and identify similar emotions later in the story. Further to this, children learn about their similarities and differences, supported by staff. Staff make comparisons of their hair to others using descriptive words, such as 'curly' and 'straight'. Children describe their hair when looking in the mirror and comment on their differences using the taught vocabulary.

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The provision is good

Children learn about good hygiene. They follow clear instructions to wash their hands when asked. Staff explain to children the importance of washing away germs. Staff also prioritise developing independence at a young age. Younger children learn to self-feed using spoons. Older children learn to cut up food using safety knives and take responsibility for scraping their own plates once they have finished. When children need extra support, staff model to help children succeed.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and staff identify gaps in children's learning and put in place early support. For example, they assess children's development and make timely referrals to outside agencies. Children with SEND have targeted plans for their learning that incorporates advice received from outside agencies. Staff put in place effective support, for example adapting their questioning based on their targets. Children with SEND thrive. n Children develop their communication and language well. Staff question older children to predict. Children comment what they think will happen when they mix vinegar and bicarbonate of soda together. Staff pause to encourage younger children to finish sentences, for example, when singing nursery rhymes. However, occasionally staff do not ensure all children have sufficient time to respond and develop their language and thinking skills in depth. n Children develop a love of reading with plenty of opportunities for them to

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need to do better?

explore books. Staff read enthusiastically to children and talk to them about the different pictures. Younger children repeat words taught by staff and older children describe who is in the pictures. Children learn about aspects of a story, such as the characters.

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need to do better?

20 August 2025 n Staff provide plenty of opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. Children learn to balance and jump off stepping stones, landing on two feet. Staff extend this further by demonstrating how to 'jump like a frog', which children copy to strengthen their large muscles. Alongside this, staff support the development of children's smaller muscles to prepare them for early writing. Children enjoy making marks with staff encouragement, and when they show an interest in writing their name, staff model this carefully. Children write over their marks enthusiastically, giving meaning, such as linking letters to the sounds they make. n Children are learning to play well together, taking turns and sharing. For example, children take turns using a funnel to pour different materials into their own jug. When children need further reminders to take turns, staff calmly reinforce using children's names to say whose turn it is. Children listen and

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need to do better?

follow the expectations of the nursery. n Staff encourage children to 'have a go' or demonstrate how to achieve. For example, staff model how to open a yoghurt pot when children show signs of struggle. Children continue to open the yoghurt pot independently. Children are becoming more resilient. n Leaders and staff work collaboratively with parents. Staff share children's progress and strategies to support home learning. For example, staff share strategies used at the nursery when children start potty training. Leaders also share information with schools to ensure consistency in children's care and education. This supports positive transitions to school. n Leaders and managers support staff well. They prioritise staff's continuous professional development. Staff are knowledgeable about policies, procedures and children's needs. They clearly understand their roles and responsibilities. Leaders carry out regular observations of staff practice to identify where they

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need to do better?

need to improve. Staff attend targeted courses, for example, to support children with SEND. This helps staff to improve their teaching skills and practice for children, especially for those with SEND.

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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 consistently give younger children time to respond and develop their language further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY100960 Local authority Derby Inspection number 10407448 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 86 Number of children on roll 122 Name of registered person The Cottage Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01332 515100 Date of previous inspection 9 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The Cottage Private Day Nursery (Uttoxeter Road) registered in 2002 and is located in Mickleover, Derby. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery employs 27 members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The pre-school coordinator has a Master's degree in childhood studies and the manager holds early years professional status.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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 and the deputy manager and manager carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector.

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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

20 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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