Polkadot Day Nursery

Inspection of The Old Station Nursery - Alcester Kinwarton, ALCESTER, Warwickshire B49 6PX

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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 arrive happy and ready to start their day. They understand the routine when they arrive and hang their coat and bag on their peg. Staff ensure that new children to the setting are provided with gradual settling-in sessions to help them become familiar with their unfamiliar environment. 'Marvellous Me' information is gathered from families when children start, including home routines, favourite activities and key words in home languages, so children feel secure from the outset. Children demonstrate a keenness to learn and are happy and settled.

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The provision is good

Leaders plan a sequenced curriculum with a primary focus on real-life opportunities to enhance children's natural curiosity, with emphasis on first-hand experiences and child-led learning. Staff implement the curriculum through regular opportunities for children's active engagement and critical thinking while encouraging exploration, creativity and collaboration. All children made timely progress from their starting points and are learning the skills they will need when they move on to the next stage of their learning.

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The provision is good

Leaders and staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. Staff support children to manage their feelings and actions. Children show positive behaviour and good manners during their learning and are happy to take turns and share the resources with each other. When disagreements occur, staff intervene effectively, helping children to understand how their actions affect others.

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need to do better?

n The nursery has developed a curriculum across all areas of learning. Staff complete regular assessments of what children know and can do. They use these assessments to plan activities that allow children to successfully build their learning over time and to identify any gaps in children's knowledge and skills. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are swiftly identified. Staff collaborate closely with specialist services and parents, and as a result, children with SEND benefit from structured support and a consistent approach to their care. n Staff promote children's physical development well. Children eat nutritious food at nursery and learn about how physical activity contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Toddlers and older children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills, coordination and dexterity outdoors, as they navigate the obstacle course and wooden structures. Toddlers manipulate tools safely and with

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need to do better?

increasing control during play dough and mark-making activities. Low-level furniture allows babies' to pull themselves up and practise standing, helping to strengthen core muscles in preparation for walking. n Overall, children behave well, show positive attitudes and are engaged in their

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need to do better?

2 September 2025 activities. Older children share their ideas and play cooperatively without adult support. Staff help younger children to share and take turns with the resources. As a result, children are tolerant, patient and show respect for the staff and their friends. However, during some planned adult-led activities, less confident and younger children are not as engaged in the activity as they could be. n Staff plan a progressive curriculum that builds on children's independence skills through the different ages. Children develop their independence through everyday tasks and personal care routines. For example, babies' learn to feed themselves and wipe their own faces, toddlers use cutlery and learn to wash their own hands, and older children self-serve their meals, pour their own drinks and use a knife and fork skilfully. n Overall, staff support children's communication and language well. For example,

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need to do better?

staff use simple and clear language with babies, helping them to develop their communication skills. Younger children develop their communication skills as they listen to stories and join in with singing. Staff ask older children questions to encourage their thinking skills. However, at times, staff do not consistently model accurate pronunciation of words to develop children's speech and communication as much as possible. n Leaders and managers prioritise staff's well-being. They recognise the impact of staff's emotions on children and strive to promote feelings of positivity throughout the nursery. Leaders and managers ensure staff receive the guidance and support they need to meet the care and learning needs of all children. Staff complete necessary training to keep children safe. Professional development is targeted to maximise its impact on children's learning. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents have a high level of trust in the

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need to do better?

staff and feel extremely well supported. Parents appreciate the setting's support in preparing their children for school, particularly in fostering their confidence, social skills, independence and speech development.

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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 review the organisation of group activities to ensure that all children are engaged in the learning opportunities provided n support all staff to consistently model the correct pronunciation of words when speaking to children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY478658 Local authority Warwickshire Inspection number 10398592 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 81 Number of children on roll 106 Name of registered person Polkadot Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01789 766565 Date of previous inspection 31 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Polkadot Day Nursery registered in 2014. The nursery employs 17 members of staff. Of these, 16 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including two with level 6 qualifications. The nursery operates Monday to Friday, all year round, except for one week at Christmas. Sessions are available from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. 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 observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

2 September 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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