Munchkins Nursery and Pre School

Munchkins Nursery and Pre School The Pavilion, King George V Playing Fields, Wivenhoe, Colchester, Essex CO7 9AB

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Inspection date 6 December 2018 Previous inspection date 2 November 2015

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision is good

n Managers have improved recruitment procedures. This ensures staff are suitable to work with children and keeps them safe n Leaders are passionate about children's learning experiences. In particular, they create an inspirational outdoor learning environment in local woodlands. n Children thoroughly enjoy outdoor activities. They are well planned and encourage children to take risks. n Children are well behaved and form good relationships with their peers. This supports children to manage their feelings and their emotional development. n Children's next steps are not always specific to their individual needs. n Staff do not always consider all children's individual needs, for example, when children are participating in a phonics activity.

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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

n consider all children's needs when planning activities n develop children's next steps to ensure they are more strongly focused on children's individual interests and development.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector talked to management, staff and children. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation. n Two inspectors were present for the inspection. An inspector was observing the lead inspector. n The inspectors visited the forest school. n The inspector reviewed feedback from parents, and carried out a joint observation with the manager.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

A new management structure is supporting the improvement of the setting. Safeguarding is effective and, following a compliance visit, new recruitment and induction processes are now in place. Staff have a good safeguarding knowledge. They encourage children to respect and value each other and this can be seen in their practice across the setting. This keeps children safe. Leaders are passionate about children's learning and have a focus on their outdoor experiences and resources. Management is clear on areas for improvement and use staff supervision effectively to manage changes. Observations and assessments of children are monitored to ensure quality, and support and training is provided to staff. A range of information is shared with parents to support the care and development of the children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know their key children well and are aware of their interests. This helps to engage children in their learning. Outdoor activities are well planned and children access these during all weathers, including the forest school. Children are provided with an excellent learning experience in this outside space. They navigate this area and the activities confidently, learning to manage and take risks. Younger children enjoy story time. For example, they identify animals and what comes next in the story. Children make choices about the stories they would like to read and have a 'choice board' which enables them to decide what activities they would like to do next.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well. They develop good friendships with their peers and become excited as their friends arrive at nursery. Children enjoy the outdoor area. They learn to care for the woodlands and understand the need to move 'camp' regularly so as not to disturb the natural environment. Staff encourage younger children to sit nicely during story time, so all their friends can see the pictures in the book. Healthy meals are provided, and children serve themselves and wait for their peers before they begin eating. Staff sit with children and encourage discussion during mealtimes. Children talk about what they like to eat. They independently clear their plates and place them and their cutlery into the washing-up bowl.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those learning English as an additional language, make good progress. Children are independent and take risks, particularly in the forest school. Children persevere as they climb a steep muddy hill. They develop their physical skills, using a rope to climb the 'mountain', helping each other to reach the top. Children talk about being safe and sharing safety equipment, including goggles and gloves, with their friends. Staff encourage children to problem solve. The children dig a trench and build a bridge from sticks and objects found in the woodland. Children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning, including the development of life skills and moving on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY222657 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10061203 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 1 - 10 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 57 Name of registered person First Steps Montessori Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 2 November 2015 Telephone number 01206 827126

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reference number

Munchkins Nursery and Pre School registered in 2003 and is located in Wivenhoe, Colchester. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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