Monkeymoos Castle

Inspection of Monkeymoos Castle Angola House, Angola Road, Worthing, Sussex BN14 8DU

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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 come into the nursery happily. They have warm relationships with staff, who are kind and affectionate towards them. Babies benefit from consistent care as staff follow their familiar routines from home when they first start. This helps them feel safe and settle quickly.

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The provision is good

Children learn to do things for themselves, such as serving their own lunch with big spoons or helping cut fruit at snack time. They grow in independence and become more confident. Children choose whether they want to play inside or out in the garden. They practise their physical skills when using the outdoor equipment. They use their imagination and enjoy 'cooking' with leaves in the mud kitchen. Inside, babies focus intently as they explore different textures in the sand.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They wait patiently for their turn at the snack table and listen attentively when staff ask them to. They learn to be kind to each other and think about how their friends feel. Staff have high expectations for all children's achievements. They support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities sensitively. They make good use of additional funding to adapt the care and activities provided where needed so that all children are included.

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need to do better?

n Staff get to know children well. They accurately identify any gaps in children's learning as well as what they need to learn next. They respond to children's interests and consider how they can add to children's experiences from home. For example, staff encourage children to try messy play activities and provide lots of outdoor opportunities for children who may not have access to a garden. n Children of all ages enjoy stories and songs. Staff make stories interesting and engaging. They repeat new words to help broaden children's vocabulary and ask questions to encourage children to think about what is happening. Children have fun acting out 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' in the garden, using mathematical language as they move under and over the equipment. They communicate well with each other and share their ideas with staff. n Staff provide a range of interesting experiences for children that help them gain

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need to do better?

useful skills for their future learning. Older children eagerly find objects that start with a particular letter sound or confidently count out blocks that are the same colour. However, staff do not always give enough thought to what they want individual children to learn from the activities they provide. This means that, at times, children are not fully challenged, or a task is too difficult for them. n Children get along well together and develop strong social skills. They share their lives and experiences and talk about what makes their families special. Children who speak other languages hear staff use familiar greetings and words

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need to do better?

15 November 2021 from home. This helps children learn to value each other and extends their understanding of different people and communities. n Parents speak highly of the nursery. They particularly value the welcoming and supportive staff team. They are confident that their children are happy and safe and are progressing well at the nursery. n Although parents do not go into the nursery every day due to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff make sure that they still provide regular updates at the door or through an online learning journal. However, they do not provide as much information as they could about children's next steps and how parents can further support their children's learning at home. n Managers evaluate the provision effectively and identify any areas to improve. They have worked hard throughout the pandemic to support staff and the families that attend, including managing a number of staff changes. Managers

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need to do better?

provide effective support for the less experienced staff, which helps them quickly develop their knowledge and skills. They continually review the provision and make changes that have a positive impact on children's experiences. For instance, the younger children now have a dedicated outdoor space where they can play safely.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff have a secure understanding of their responsibilities towards the children in their care. There are robust recruitment procedures in place to help ensure staff are suitable for their role. Staff who begin employment before all checks are back are not left alone with children and do not have access to confidential information. Managers ensure that sufficient staff are present each day to supervise children effectively. Policies and procedures to protect children are in place and understood by staff, such as regarding the use of mobile phones. Staff understand how to recognise and report any child protection concerns. They work closely with other agencies where required.

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should:

n support staff to focus more precisely on what they want children to learn from the activities provided, to help ensure children are appropriately challenged and make the best possible progress n build on the good partnership with parents so that they are fully informed about their children's next steps and can continue to guide their children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2580385 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10209719 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 83 Number of children on roll 60 Name of registered person Monkeymoos Daycare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01903234679 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Monkeymoos Castle registered in 2020 and is situated in Worthing, West Sussex. The nursery is open from 7am to 7pm each weekday for 51 weeks a year. There are 10 members of staff who work directly with the children, eight of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children who are two, three and four years of age.

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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 The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and regional manager to discuss the leadership and management of the nursery. n Parents shared their views on the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

15 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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