Munchkins Nursery And Pre School

Inspection of Munchkins Nursery And Pre School 30 Somerset Road, Basildon, Essex SS15 6PE

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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

Children arrive at the setting happy and excited to begin their day. They are met at the door by warm and welcoming staff, which supports children to feel secure.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. Staff consistently praise children, which enhances their sense of belonging and promotes their self-esteem. Younger children begin to respond well to songs and music. This helps them to recognise different parts of the daily routine, such as preparing for snack time.

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The provision is good

Children are eager to access the range of activities and resources on offer inside and outside. They demonstrate good attitudes to learning and are keen to explore and follow their own ideas. For example, children enthusiastically choose items to make shakers. They look for suitable contents, such as rice and pasta, and confidently describe the different sounds they make.

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The provision is good

Children gain good independence skills as they learn to serve themselves at snack and lunchtimes. Older children routinely put on their own coats and hats for outdoor play. Children enjoy being active and benefit from the well-resourced garden area. They develop good physical skills, such as running with their friends, climbing and balancing.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide a well-organised learning environment which provides children with a good range of experiences through all areas of learning. Younger children are keen to explore the different textures and sounds of the sensory bags as they feel them, roll them about and hit them with hammers. They try to catch bubbles, clapping with excitement and enjoyment when they see, catch and pop them. n Staff have high expectations for all children in their care. There is a strong focus on supporting children's communication and language skills, particularly for those children learning English as an additional language. Staff introduce new vocabulary into children's play. For example, staff use descriptive language to explain to younger children the shape of bubbles. n Children's care needs are met well. Staff work in partnership with parents to support toilet training. They plan effective steps to support and progress each

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need to do better?

child. Children develop a good understanding of routines that keep them safe, including during regular handwashing that helps to reduce the spread of germs. n Staff help children to learn the skills they need in preparation for their next stage in learning and move to school. They provide opportunities such as using the trampoline for children to learn about taking turns, sharing with others and how to keep themselves safe. Children show good concentration and coordination

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need to do better?

13 May 2021 when using play dough and cutting out shapes that represent festivals and celebrations. n Staff place a strong emphasis on children's personal, social and emotional development. They help children to recognise and talk about their emotions, and how this makes them feel. Children freely go to staff for cuddles when they are feeling sad and need support. Staff use their Makaton training and visual aids to support children's communication development. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents describe the staff as kind and caring. They comment on the high levels of progress their children have made since starting the nursery. Parents appreciate the detailed information staff share with them about their child's learning and development, including what they are working on next. This helps staff and parents support children consistently. n Leaders provide regular time through team and individual supervision meetings

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need to do better?

for staff to discuss their work and the children they care for. Staff receive support for their ongoing professional development, including through an online training provider. This helps support their practice and children's needs. Staff are confident in approaching leaders and feel their well-being is considered. n Leaders have worked hard to make changes to enhance the provision. They have introduced new planning systems which provide a more child-centred approach to learning. While the new systems are understood, there is still some work to be done to embed these changes, enabling staff to fully support children to build on what they already know and can do.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a clear understanding of their safeguarding role. They know what to do if a child may be at risk of harm and how to report concerns. This includes wider safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation. The manager ensures that staff keep their child protection knowledge up to date through regular training. Robust recruitment processes are followed for new staff to ensure they are suitable for their role. The manager checks staff's ongoing suitability to work with children. This helps to ensure that adults who work with children continue to be suitable to do so.

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should:

n strengthen staff's understanding of the methods for supporting children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY558622 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10190384 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 41 Number of children on roll 81 Name of registered person Munchkins Daycare (Laindon) Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01268 952260 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Munchkins Nursery and Pre School was registered in May 2018. The nursery employs 22 members of childcare staff. Of these, 14 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Opening times are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager explained the nursery curriculum during a learning walk with the inspector. n The manager and the inspector completed a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and senior leaders. A sample of relevant documentation was viewed, including evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Parents shared their views with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

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

13 May 2021 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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