Puddleduck Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents

This provision is good Since the last inspection, new strategies for observing and assessing children's development have been introduced.

Staff use these well to help build on children's individual learning needs and effectively support children to make good progress. Children's communication and language skills are excellent. Babies make their needs known through using clear and simple words.

Toddlers constantly chatter as they play, and attentive staff listen and respond enthusiastically. Pre-school children use extensive language to hold in-depth discussions and debates with each other and with adults. Outdoor learning for children at this nursery is outstanding.
...
Children learn how to manage risk for themselves, such as when they make obstacles courses from milk crates and planks of wood. Children are highly active as they skilfully kick balls into a net and negotiate cars around a roundabout, set up by attentive members of staff. Parents speak positively about the care and education staff provide.

They feel that staff provide a homely atmosphere and this helps children to settle and feel secure. It is not yet outstanding because: Staff do not gather as much information as possible from parents about children's abilities when they first start, to help them more closely monitor children's progress from their starting points. Staff do not always encourage pre-school children to express their own ideas and use their creativity when taking part in adult-planned activities.