Munchkins Childcare

Inspection of Munchkins Childcare Ormskirk Moorgate Nursery School, Moorgate, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4RY

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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 are happy in this homely and welcoming nursery. They arrive feeling excited to begin their day. Parents do not routinely enter the nursery, due to the COVID-19 pandemic safety precautions. Children have adapted well to leaving their parents at the door, and enter happily and confidently. They feel safe and form strong bonds with staff. Staff identify that some children, including those born during the COVID-19 pandemic, may require more emotional support when they first start at the nursery. Therefore, staff ensure that they give children extra time when they first settle in and as they progress through the nursery. This helps to build children's resilience, so that they are ready for their next stage of learning.

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The provision is good

Staff make learning fun for children. They have high expectations of children. Staff provide a child-led approach to planning, that reflects children's individual interests, likes and dislikes. Children are motivated to learn and are keen to engage in activities. Children behave well and understand what is expected of them. Staff use positive and consistent behaviour strategies, such as encouragement and praise. All children, including those who receive additional funding, make good progress. This is because staff understand the skills that children require to help them to progress to the next stage of their learning.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff team work very well together. They share a positive and reflective approach to their work, and they know children well. Staff plan activities effectively to help children build on what they already know and make progress towards their next steps in learning. Staff interact positively with children. They encourage children to keep trying when they find tasks challenging. For example, staff suggest to children to mix some water with the dry sand until the sand changes, until they see the sand 'darken' and 'thicken'. n Children become confident communicators. Staff actively use opportunities to speak to children and increase their vocabulary. They ask questions and give children time to think and answer. Staff share stories and encourage children to talk about their feelings and their experiences at home. They support children to develop a positive view of themselves and their peers. This helps children to

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need to do better?

understand what makes them unique. n Children learn to manage their feelings. Staff help them to understand the importance of working together and taking turns. For example, during a large- group activity, children know that they need to wait for their turn to pour water down the guttering pipe. Those children who need additional support are treated calmly by staff. All children enjoy the praise that they receive when they have their turn. However, on occasion, large-group activities are too long and complicated for some children, and they become distracted and lose interest.

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need to do better?

11 November 2021 n Parents speak highly of the nursery. Staff gather detailed information about what children can already do when they first start. This enables staff to plan for children's learning from the beginning. Parents feel well informed and supported to continue their children's learning at home. They say that they are pleased with the priority which staff give to their children's language development and how much their children enjoy attending. n Children have many opportunities to be physically active and explore safely. Babies and young children crawl over low-level equipment. Children develop control of their hands and fingers. For instance, they use chalk, crayons and paint, manipulate dough and investigate objects, such as wooden and natural items. Children enjoy a range of sensory play, including floating rubber ducks in water and running toy construction vehicles through rice paint. Outdoors,

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need to do better?

children develop their larger muscles and good hand-eye coordination in a range of ways. They ride on tricycles and experience cooking on the firepit and building dens. n The manager monitors staff's practice and sets targets for ongoing improvements. Overall, staff benefit from supervision sessions, staff meetings and ongoing training. They say that they feel supported, and explain that training is increasingly focused on the identified needs of individual staff. However, the recent monitoring and coaching approach is yet to be embedded and is not yet consistent across the nursery staff.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are aware of the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is suffering from abuse or neglect. They understand who to report any concerns they may have about a child's welfare to. The designated safeguarding leads have attended detailed training to ensure that they fully understand local referral procedures and can support staff effectively. Staff supervise children well. They ensure that they deploy themselves so that children can always be seen and heard. The manager uses robust recruitment arrangements to ensure that staff are suitable to carry out their roles and remain suitable throughout the duration of their employment.

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should:

n plan large-group activities more carefully to ensure that they are meaningful for all children taking part n embed the support for staff to improve the consistency of their practice.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY560239 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10190711 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 53 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person Moorgate Early Years Centre CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01695 581714 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Munchkins Childcare registered in 2018. The nursery employs 14 members of staff, 11 of whom hold relevant early years qualifications at level 3 and above. This includes the manager, who holds a qualification at level 6. The setting is open all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. It 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 provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n Staff and children spoke with the inspector at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n A learning walk was completed with the manager to discuss the curriculum intent and how the provision is organised. n The manager completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the inspector. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She reviewed a variety of documents, including qualifications, first-aid certificates, evidence of the suitability of staff and policies. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children during activities, and assessed the impact of teaching on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to parents and gathered their views.

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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

11 November 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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