Ducklings Day Nursery

Inspection of Ducklings Day Nursery 2 Western Road, Hagley, Stourbridge DY9 0LB

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and settled at the nursery. Staff are welcoming and greet children with warmth and affection. Knowledgeable staff support children well and successfully identify and meet their individual needs. Staff are passionate about providing children with rich learning experiences in a relaxed and calm environment. Staff know children well and form strong and secure relationships with them. This helps to support children's emotional development.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are motivated and are keen to learn. Staff support them to persevere, embedding determination from a young age. For example, children focus carefully on adopting correct positions during a yoga session. Leaders and staff create a peaceful and calm atmosphere. They communicate respectfully with children, offering them choices and acknowledging their feelings. As a result, children's behaviour is very good and they play well with others.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff plan the nursery environment thoughtfully to support children's learning and development. Children have lots of opportunities to engage in independent play and to explore the world around them. For example, children enjoy exploring the sensory panel in the garden. They watch with wonder as they make water splashes by dropping small balls into a tray of water. Staff make good use of indoor and outdoor play spaces so that children are engaged in meaningful, interesting and exciting play throughout the day.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders are clear about the aims for children's learning. They plan and implement a well-structured curriculum, which helps children to develop and learn effectively. Leaders and staff successfully highlight areas of the provision they want to improve for children. For example, a recent focus on outdoor learning means that staff have significantly broadened the opportunities for children in this area. This enhances children's experiences. n The experienced and strong leadership team supports staff's well-being and professional development effectively. Leaders provide comprehensive support for their team through regular meetings and an extensive range of training opportunities. A dedicated well-being officer is also available for staff to discuss concerns confidentially if needed. This has a beneficial impact on staff and, as a result, children's experiences. n Staff help children to learn about managing risk. They talk with children about

p.2

need to do better?

being safe. For example, staff talk about road safety with children as they walk together to the nursery allotment nearby. Staff show children how to look both ways at the crossing. Children know to wait for the green figure to light up and the beeps to sound before they can cross the road. They learn different ways to

p.2

need to do better?

8 September 2025 help keep themselves safe. n Staff support all children to make good progress from their individual starting points. They identify gaps in learning promptly and act swiftly when children need additional support. Leaders and staff work closely with parents and other professionals to make sure all children's needs are met well. n Staff support children's learning and spark new interests through their play. They introduce new and interesting activities throughout the day. For example, children become engrossed in a planned planting activity. They excitedly fill their individual pots to the top with compost and press the seeds in with care and determination. Children are motivated to learn and explore. n Children's communication and language development is of high priority. Staff and children sing nursery rhymes together often. They look at favourite and familiar books together. Early intervention strategies help staff to identify

p.2

need to do better?

language concerns quickly. They plan specific activities that support children's communication development well. n Staff's interactions with children are positive and support their learning. Staff join in with and comment on children's play and plan exciting activities for them. However, staff do not always use their skills to help children make the most of all opportunities for learning. For instance, staff do not always introduce a wide range of vocabulary, including words related to mathematics, to help children to make even better progress. n Staff give parents plenty of information about their children's well-being and about their day. Parents comment that their children love coming to nursery. Staff foster strong partnerships with parents. They use an online platform to support effective communication. Parents feel informed about their children's progress and experiences. This promotes consistency of care and learning for

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n develop staff's knowledge and understanding of how to make the most of every opportunity to further enhance children's learning and help them to make even better progress.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2639886 Local authority Worcestershire Inspection number 10410148 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 75 Name of registered person Ducklings Day Nursery Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01562885523 Date of previous inspection 25 July 2023

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Ducklings Day Nursery registered in 2021 and operates in the Hagley area of Stourbridge, Worcestershire. The nursery is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. There are 24 members of childcare staff, of whom 22 hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 2 to level 7. The nursery provides government funded early education for eligible children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the registered individual, the manager and the deputy manager about the leadership and management, and about 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 and the deputy manager carried out a joint observation. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

8 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6