Ducklings @ Rochdale

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff have created a calm and tranquil learning environment for children. As children arrive, their laughter fills the air and the atmosphere buzzes with their excitement. Staff are good role models and provide children with clear expectations for their behaviour. Children know what is expected of them and they behave well. They are caring towards others and provide their friends with cuddles. In the main, staff provide children with a balanced curriculum, which builds on what they already know and can do. Staff know children incredibly well and provide them with a variety of exciting learning experiences. For example, children relish visits to the farm and to the sensory play centre.

Staff support children's emotional well-being effectively. They spend time getting to know children and their families during the settling-in period. Children have a strong sense of belonging and are confident individuals. Staff help children to understand the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Children are enthralled while visiting the local market to buy fruit and vegetables. They help to prepare healthy meals and learn where different foods come from. Children take part in exercise classes and giggle with delight while learning cheerleading routines. Staff prepare children exceptionally well for their eventual move on to school. They take children to meet with their class teachers and to look around their classrooms. Children are excited about going to school and develop a good understanding of what will be expected of them.

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

• The dedicated manager, ably supported by the provider, strive for excellence. Together, they have been the driving force behind improving the nursery since the last inspection. Leaders have welcomed the support from the local authority. All previous weaknesses have been addressed and self-evaluation is accurate. Leaders aspire for the nursery to be outstanding.
• Leaders have worked hard to introduce new systems for staff training, coaching and mentoring. However, these are in their infancy and there has not ben enough time for them to be fully embedded. This means that staff are not fully aware of how they can improve their practice to keep children fully engaged in their learning.
• The support in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and children who speak English as an additional language is excellent. Leaders ensure that children get the support that they need. Early intervention is sourced and gaps in learning close. This helps children to make good progress.
• Overall, the manager has a clear vision for the curriculum for communication and language. However, she has not ensured that all staff understand the key components of communication and language that she wants children to learn and what order this should be done. For example, the manager wants staff to provide children with plenty of time to think and respond to questions. Not all staff follow this through, and it does not help to support children's speaking skills effectively.
• Staff teach children incredibly well about the world around them. Children relish learning about festivals and celebrations. They learn that it is okay to be different and they talk about some of the ways that they are unique. Children gain a good awareness of similarities and differences between themselves and others. They are tolerant individuals who have a good understanding of what life is like in modern Britain.
• Staff have redeveloped the outdoor play areas to help support children's large-muscle skills. Babies enjoy pulling themselves up on to low-level equipment and show good coordination skills. Toddlers are excited while playing ring games and show excellent balancing skills while kicking footballs. Pre-school children show increasing skill while completing an assault course. They learn how to jump, hop and balance. Children show excellent physical dexterity and endurance.
• Care practices are excellent. Staff teach children about the importance of good hygiene. Children learn how to care for their teeth. They have visits from a dental nurse who helps them to understand the best ways to keep their teeth healthy. Children develop a secure understanding of good oral health and know why it is important to visit the dentist.
• Staff foster a love of reading very well to children. They introduce a variety of books and read with animation. Children visit the local library and take books home to share with their families. They show an early awareness of letter sounds and know that print carries meaning.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help staff to fully understand the intended curriculum for communication and language, to better support children's speaking skills
• strengthen coaching, training and mentoring arrangements for staff, to help to raise their practice further.