The Duckling Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is inadequate

Weaknesses in leadership and their oversight of the provision does not safeguard children. Policies and procedures are not implemented effectively and record-keeping is poor.

The provider has prioritised developing the exciting and engaging outdoor area. Children spend a lot of time outside in the fresh air and have access to a wide range of inviting, natural resources. They confidently scale the climbing wall and competently work out how to climb down safely.

Staff supervise closely while allowing children the challenge of working things out for themselves. This gives children the time and space to persevere as ...they carefully climb up the ladder to the tree house or imaginatively build their own obstacle course from loose parts, such as crates and planks. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities have equal access to all opportunities in the nursery and are well supported by attentive and responsive staff.

Staff listen with interest when children share their experiences. They get down at the child's level and ask sensitive questions to encourage children to expand their thinking and talk more. This support children's communication skills and helps them feel valued.

Staff provide effective strategies to give children the tools to manage their own behaviour and feelings. For example, staff suggest children fetch the sand timer to work out a fair way to take turns. Children follow instructions well and eagerly help to sweep up and tidy away when asked.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

Significant evidence received after day one of the inspection revealed that the provider does not assure children's safety. They do not ensure that staff apply the nursery's safeguarding policy and procedure effectively. The provider does not make sure that they swiftly act and respond to child protection concerns.

They do not keep appropriate records or recognise the importance of sharing information with other professionals to help safeguard children. This does not protect children's welfare. However, the nursery is going through a period of transition.

The prospective owner is due to take over shortly. In partnership with the current owner, she has made some initial changes and is committed to improving the procedures in place.The provider does not make sure that their complaints procedure is in line with requirements.

They do not ensure that concerns are recorded and they do not inform the person making the complaint of the outcome of their investigation. As such, records of complaints are not able to be shared with Ofsted, as required.The provider has created a well-organised routine so children know where to self-register and place their bags on arrival.

This helps them have a calm, familiar start to their day and they confidently say goodbye to their parents. There are times during the day when all children sit together for a group activity.Initially, they show interest and listen.

However, these large-group times do not meet the needs of all the children. This results in some of them losing interest and becoming distracted.Staff offer children many opportunities to lead their own learning and make choices about how they use the various resources.

For instance, children take dinosaurs into the mud kitchen and ask staff to read them a story. In contrast, staff do not manage transitions as effectively. Children's deep engagement and learning are occasionally disrupted when moving from outside to indoors and they are asked to line up and wait for longer than is necessary.

The provider has developed a clear curriculum and is working hard to ensure all staff are clear of the purpose of activities and what they want children to learn. New staff are still getting to know their key children and the ethos of the nursery. Staff assess what children have learned through their observations, interactions and discussions with each other.

Leaders have established strong links with the local school. Children can regularly use the school playground, field and other facilities. Therefore, they become familiar with the school and Reception teachers, which helps support a smooth transition to children's next stage of their education.

The provider organises regular events to increase parental involvement. Parents speak highly of attending the Father's Day gathering, 'Sewing Week' and parents' consultations. Parents are invited to an induction day with their children to get to know staff and the nursery at the start.

This gives the child's key person time to gather relevant information and find out children's prior knowledge and experiences. Parents say their children have become more sociable and confident as a result of coming to the nursery.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and Childcare Register the provider must: Due date ensure child protection concerns are acted upon and reported to the appropriate agencies without delay 26/07/2024 make sure all staff have a secure understanding of the safeguarding policy and procedure, in particular the procedures to follow where there are child protection concerns 16/08/2024 put in place a written procedure for managing any concerns and maintain records of any complaints, including their outcome 16/08/2024 keep accurate and clear records to share with other agencies, as appropriate.16/08/2024 To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: review the organisation of large-group times so that all children benefit from the rich learning opportunities nimprove transitions throughout the day to make sure that children's engagement is not unnecessarily interrupted.

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