The Mulberry Bush Nursery

Inspection of The Mulberry Bush Nursery St. Augustines RC Primary School, Kesteven Road, STAMFORD, Lincolnshire PE9 1SR

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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

As children arrive, they receive a warm and positive welcome from the staff. Babies hold their arms out to key staff and reward other adults with a cheery smile. They enjoy cuddles and reassurance from the kind, caring staff. As a result, their emotional well-being is supported, and children feel safe and secure. When visitors ask pre-school children if they are happy, they reply that they are and return to the visitor and say 'I am very happy'. Children are polite and courteous. For example, they say 'excuse me' before entering a conversation. Children behave well and respond positively when staff remind them about turn taking and being kind to each other.

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The provision is good

Children with additional identified needs make good progress from their starting points. Staff recognise when children may need additional support and act promptly. Children benefit from staff working closely with parents to enlist other professionals who may be of help. This is equally noticeable with children who speak English as an additional language, as they demonstrate a good command of the English language. Staff learn words in children's home language and use these alongside the English words. Children enjoy bending and stretching and holding a pose in yoga sessions. This leads to new learning as children practise new skills, such as balancing on one leg. Toddlers sit with staff and look at a book. They copy staff and repeat complicated words, such as 'dragonfly'.

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need to do better?

n The staff have worked together for many years. There is a family feel about the nursery. Staff speak very positively about the relationship the team has. This, in turn, contributes to the good experiences that the children receive. Staff benefit from regular professional development opportunities. The manager encourages them to complete additional courses to improve their practice. For instance, staff have attended specific courses to motivate boys. Staff explain how boys are showing more of an interest in writing skills. n Staff know the children well and talk confidently about where they are in their learning. They recognise children's interests and use activities to progress children's learning. For example, babies who enjoy sensory experiences are encouraged to play in the sand with their socks off. This helps them to explore the world around them. Staff plan opportunities for toddlers to develop their

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need to do better?

early writing skills. Two-year-old children use cars to make shapes and patterns in the sand. Pre-school children take part in small-group speech and language activities. They laugh out loud as they practise using their mouth to make kissing sounds. This helps them to tune into sounds. n Staff encourage children to share their thoughts and ideas. Pre-school children show an interest in making a wand for their toy. Staff listen intently as children

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need to do better?

6 January 2022 describe what they want to do and how they want to do it. This practice helps to raise children's levels of confidence and self-esteem, and, as such, children have a positive attitude to learning. n Staff provide children with the opportunity to get fresh air and to be physically active. Children play outdoors in a safely enclosed area. They balance and negotiate space on bikes. Staff provide soft-play equipment indoors to further help children's physical development. n Staff support children's independence skills well. They provide plenty of opportunities for children to develop the skills they need to move on to their next stage of learning. Children put on their coats and do them up themselves. They pour their own drinks and wash up their pots after they have finished snack. n Partnership working with parents is strong. The manager has recognised the benefit of giving parents ideas to support children's learning at home. For

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need to do better?

example, parents can borrow reading books or story sacks. Furthermore, each month, parents receive a 'wow sheet' of their child's achievements. n Staff interact positively with children of all ages, narrating children's play and talking to them about what they are doing. During group activities, children listen well and concentrate as they learn together. On occasions, some pre- school staff do not recognise when to extend children's learning even further. n Staff help to broaden children's knowledge of the world around them and provide active experiences, such as taking the children into the local community. They regularly visit the town market and buy groceries to take back to nursery.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager ensures that staff keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk from harm, including neglect and extreme views. They understand the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child's welfare. The manager has a regular procedure in place to check the ongoing suitability of staff. Security within the nursery is good. Staff lock the entrance gate to ensure unauthorised persons are not able to enter the premises and children cannot leave unaccompanied. Staff always supervise children effectively and model how to use equipment correctly, such as how to carry scissors. This helps children to learn how to keep themselves safe.

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should:

n support staff to recognise how to extend and challenge children's learning more consistently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2539359 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10215308 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 57 Number of children on roll 25 Name of registered person Playlincs Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01780755322 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Mulberry Bush Nursery re-registered in 2019. It is situated in Stamford, Lincolnshire. The nursery employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including the manager who holds an early years degree. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 8.30am to 5pm. 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 provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff and children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 together. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to several parents and took account of written questionnaires offered.

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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

6 January 2022 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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