Merry Poppets Nursery

Merry Poppets Nursery BLD 942, RAF Henlow, HENLOW, Bedfordshire, SG16 6DN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 October 2017 23 October 2014

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Staff provide a welcoming and attractive environment for children. They plan a broad range of interesting and stimulating activities throughout the day, which children are motivated and eager to join in. Children are confident, happy and keen to select age- appropriate toys. They initiate their own play and engage in purposeful learning.  Staff know the children well. Observations and assessments are used effectively by staff to help children make good progress in their development. Staff talk confidently about where children are in their learning and what they need to do next to support their continuing progress.  Staff are positive role models. They offer praise to children and encourage them to be friendly, kind and considerate to each other, supporting them to develop their understanding of good behaviour.  The management team demonstrates a strong commitment to providing high-quality care and education. They regularly evaluate the nursery, helping them to identify areas

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This provision is good

for improvement. For example, they evaluate parents' responses to the weekly question about the nursery provision, considering their views when planning changes.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Performance management arrangements do not focus precisely enough on how staff can fully develop and extend specific aspects of their teaching skills.  Staff have not yet introduced fully effective ways of involving all parents in their child's ongoing learning.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 refine the monitoring of staff's practice so that it is more focused on precise aspects of children's learning and development and drives the quality of teaching to the highest possible level  strengthen parents' involvement in children's ongoing learning to help provide all of them with more consistent support between home and nursery.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outside and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She observed a focused activity and evaluated the quality of teaching with the deputy manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the management team. She looked at relevant documentation, including children's records, a selection of policies and procedures and risk assessments.  The inspector checked the evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a secure understanding of the safeguarding procedures. They know to act promptly should they be concerned about children's welfare. Recent online training has increased staff's understanding of safeguarding, relevant guidance and procedures. Recruitment procedures are rigorous, helping to ensure that staff are suitable for their role. Most staff have first-aid training and know how to respond to an accident. The management team uses effective measures to review and monitor accidents in the nursery, promoting children's safety. Staff are deployed effectively to supervise children, meet ratios and qualification requirements.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff in each room work well together and are good role models for children as they play alongside them. For example, they join in children's imaginative play, extending their ideas through skilful questioning. Older children readily share their ideas and play alongside their friends. They join in group games and demonstrate good listening skills as they follow instructions. Staff nurture children's enjoyment of books, animatedly reading stories or looking at picture books with babies. They pronounce words clearly and model new vocabulary to support children's speaking skills. Babies explore a variety of activities that stimulates their senses. For example, they enjoy using their hands to investigate the texture of sand, watch themselves in mirrors and listen to sounds made by shakers.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Babies gain confidence in their surroundings, learn to interact with others and build strong relationships with staff who care for them. They are confident to explore and develop their physical skills. Older children learn to share and take turns in conversations, helping to develop their social skills. Staff talk to babies calmly and use a reassuring touch to provide them with comfort. They are responsive to children's moods and routines, settling children to sleep according to their needs. Staff implement sound policies and procedures to promote children's good health, safety and welfare, including medication administration practices. Healthy meals are provided which take account of children's dietary needs and parental preferences. Children of all ages thoroughly enjoy time outdoors each day where they are physically active, explore and play imaginatively.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children achieve well from their starting points during their time in the nursery. They acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to succeed in their future education, including starting school. Children of all ages make good progress in developing their communication skills. For example, children confidently sing familiar songs and engage in meaningful conversations with staff and visitors. Older children make good progress in building their knowledge of shape and colour. They learn to count accurately and use numbers in their play. They develop their early writing skills as they make marks on paper to represent words and handle tools with increasing control.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY468971 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 1115973 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 106 Number of children on roll 85 Name of registered person Merry Poppets Nursery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 23 October 2014 Telephone number 01462 850242

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reference number

Merry Poppets Nursery registered in 2013. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. Of these, 13 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, except bank holidays. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year- old children.

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reference number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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.

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reference number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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.

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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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