Happy Bunnies

Inspection of Happy Bunnies 144 Duke Street, ST. HELENS, Merseyside WA10 2JL

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

The provider and her committed team show a strong focus to provide high-quality care and education for children. The well-qualified staff have a good knowledge of how young children learn. They provide children with stimulating experiences that reflect their individual interests and cover all areas of learning. Staff are skilful at providing the right level of adult support and direction depending on the individual ability and stage of development for each child. This allows children to benefit from the rich and varied activities on offer and to make good progress. However, occasionally, staff do not use effective questioning techniques.

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend in this warm and welcoming nursery. They develop extremely positive attitudes to learning and respond well to the high expectations of staff. Children show consideration towards each other and form strong friendships. They are well behaved and polite. Older children settle quickly on arrival and immediately seek out their friends to share experiences with. They are happy and enthused in their learning and demonstrate confidence in trying new activities. Babies and toddlers enjoy having the freedom to explore. Nurturing staff sensitively help them to foster high levels of self-assurance and independence, in preparation for the next stage in their learning.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide good narratives during children's play. They talk to children about what they are doing, use descriptive language and repeat key words to reinforce children's understanding. However, some staff do not use skilful questioning techniques. They ask questions that do not always encourage children's thinking skills, and sometimes these questions are asked in quick succession. This means that children do not always have time to respond and share their ideas. n Overall, children's health and well-being are supported effectively. Children enjoy healthy snacks and meals. They are encouraged to brush their teeth after eating, supporting their understanding of leading a healthy lifestyle. However, it was noted that a member of staff did not implement a particular hygiene policy effectively after blowing children's noses and failing to wash their hands, resulting in an instance of poor hygiene practice.

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need to do better?

n Good attention is given to developing children's literacy skills. Staff read enthusiastically to children. Young children select their own books and snuggle with staff, who encourage them to turn the pages and talk about what they see. Older children use props to help them retell their favourite tales. For example, children use sticks and straw to build the houses made by the three little pigs, and explore porridge oats as they listen to the story of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'. Children demonstrate a love of literacy and enjoy stories in all areas of the nursery.

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need to do better?

27 November 2019 n Children's physical development is a key priority. Shortly after arriving at nursery, children engage in energetic play which prepares them well for the day ahead. They continuously access the well-resourced outdoor area and are developing good skills in running, jumping, climbing and pedalling, using a wide range of play equipment. Children enjoy playing games with staff, who model how to throw and catch and how to use a bat and ball. n Children of all ages are encouraged to explore and investigate. Young children enjoy making marks in foam and watch how sand changes when water is added. Older children enthusiastically experiment with 'magic potions'. They watch intently as the mixture creates lots of coloured bubbles, and staff encourage them to listen to the popping sound it makes. n Staff foster very good partnerships with parents. Information provided to parents helps them to understand how their children are doing in relation to

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need to do better?

their age and how to help them to progress further. Parents are very complimentary about the nursery and speak highly of the staff team. n Staff are supported by the dedicated and passionate leadership team. Leaders carry out supervision meetings with staff to ensure that they fulfil their job role and responsibilities. Staff observe each other's practice, share ideas and attend additional training. The leaders and the staff team have a clear vision for further improvements. They engage in continuous reflective practice and value the opinions of staff, children and parents.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff fully understand their responsibility to safeguard children from harm. The nursery has clear, detailed policies, and the manager is the designated staff member to take the lead if concerns about children's safety arise. Emphasis is placed on ensuring children are cared for in a safe environment through effective procedures and practices. These include robust recruitment, selection and induction arrangements. There is a strong commitment to staff attending training to develop their skills and knowledge in all areas of safety, such as safeguarding, first aid and basic food hygiene.

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should:

n improve hygiene procedures further to maximise children's well-being at all times n support staff to develop their teaching skills so that they consistently use skilful questioning techniques.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY551694 Local authority St Helens Inspection number 10131516 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 4 Total number of places 55 Number of children on roll 69 Name of registered person Moss Company Holdings Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07952313780 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Happy Bunnies registered in 2017. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including training logs and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n A joint observation of teaching was conducted with the nursery manager. n The inspector and the manager completed a tour across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n A meeting was held between the inspector, the provider and the manager.

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Inspection activities

27 November 2019 We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

27 November 2019 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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