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Puddle Ducks Pre-School

Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2024)
·Abbey Farm, Church Lane, Louth, LN11 0QD · Lincolnshire
Number of places
64 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2024
Local authority
Lincolnshire

About this day nursery

Puddle Ducks Pre-School, established in 2001 by Victoria and Jacqueline Stratford, offers comprehensive childcare services for children aged 0 to 12+. Located on a farm's edge, it provides care for 49 weeks a year, including before and after school, and holiday clubs.

The preschool prioritises a high-quality, secure, and stimulating environment, fostering emotional, physical, intellectual, creative, and social development. They work in close partnership with parents, carers, and the local community, offering diverse activities like sports, music, and multicultural experiences.

Committed to affordability, Puddle Ducks aims to enable parents to return to employment. The curriculum integrates elements of the Montessori and Reggio approaches, emphasising learning with real materials and engaging indoor and outdoor environments.

The preschool also features a dedicated Forest School programme, utilising a woodland area for daily sessions for children preparing to start school, aligning with the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and Developmental Matters. Puddle Ducks is dedicated to continuous staff training and provides employment opportunities within the community, all while upholding an Equal Opportunities framework.

The family-centred approach ensures that each child's unique development is nurtured at their own pace.

Our ethos

Puddle Ducks Pre-School integrates elements of the Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches, emphasising hands-on learning and the use of real materials. They also have a dedicated Forest School programme for daily sessions, aligning with the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. Their approach is family-centred, nurturing each child's unique development at their own pace.

What it's like

The growth in children's confidence and independence is accelerated through their access to the outdoors, where they are supported by attentive staff to take risks, develop secure physical skills and learn about the world around them. Children quickly immerse themselves in well-thought-out activities, which staff have planned to develop their skills and knowledge ready for school.

Forest SchoolMontessori ApproachReggio ApproachBefore and After School CareHoliday Club

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Session types

Hourly charges, Daily charges, Morning charges, Afternoon charges, Term-time only, All-year-round

Opening hours

Monday to Friday 7:30am - 5pm

Age range

0-12+

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2006

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Puddle Ducks Pre-School

Last inspected 7 October 2024 · Charlotte Whalley

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

The growth in children's confidence and independence is accelerated through their access to the outdoors, where they are supported by attentive staff to take risks, develop secure physical skills and learn about the world around them. Children quickly immerse themselves in well-thought-out activities, which staff have planned to develop their skills and knowledge ready for school.

Inspector highlights

  • The management team has developed a curriculum that promotes children's individual development.
  • The management team and staff want children to understand what makes themselves and their community unique.
  • Staff and children take care of a pet ferret.
  • Staff use effective strategies to ensure children's safety and shape their positive behaviour.
  • Staff quickly build secure relationships with new children.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen the induction process for new staff so that they swiftly gain secure knowledge of all aspects of their role
  • 2review and reorganise the deployment of staff who are caring for groups of children, including those who are new to the setting, so that all children receive the support they require to remain engaged in meaningful activity throughout their day.
Inspection #10354753 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents confirm that their children have made progress in their learning and development since attending.

Some parents, who have received extra support from the management team and staff, have described how this has had a significantly positive impact on their lives.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from a tailored approach. For instance, staff spend time one-to-one with some children with SEND during welcome time because these children find group social time too overwhelming.

Outdoor space

The growth in children's confidence and independence is accelerated through their access to the outdoors, where they are supported by attentive staff to take risks, develop secure physical skills and learn about the world around them. Each day, older children sensibly walk through a working farm and churchyard to arrive at the setting's forest school.

Inspection history

Date: November 2009

  • October 2024Good
  • November 2018Good
  • November 2015Good
  • May 2012Good
  • November 2009Good

Frequently asked about Puddle Ducks Pre-School

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