Merry Poppets Nursery

Inspection of Merry Poppets Nursery BLD 942, RAF Henlow, HENLOW, Bedfordshire SG16 6DN

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

A breach of the safeguarding and welfare requirements means children's good health is not assured. Despite this, staff support children's learning well.

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The provision requires improvement

Children demonstrate they are confident in the nursery. They settle quickly into their day which helps them to be ready to learn. Older children use their creative thinking skills to experiment and solve problems. They use boards and tyres to create a ramp for cars to roll up. Children test the ramp out several times, making adjustments to help the car go further. They reposition a basket until they land a car in it. Children delight in their success.

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The provision requires improvement

Children behave very well. They listen to their peers and staff and wait their turn patiently. This helps children to develop socially acceptable behaviours. Staff praise children regularly for their work, which helps encourage children to persevere at a task. Babies and young children learn through their senses. They scoop and pour sand with different sized pots. Staff repeat simple sentences describing what babies feel, see, and do. This helps babies understand new words, which is vital in developing their speaking skills. During group times, staff skilfully engage children in books and stories. They use expression and ask questions that children can answer. Children choose books to look at and ask staff to read them. This helps children to develop a love of reading.

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need to do better?

n The provider has failed to ensure that staff obtain written parental consent to administer medication to children. This indicates a lack of efficiency in the leadership and management in ensuring that the appropriate paperwork is in place to protect children's good health. Staff do obtain details of the medication and consent verbally from parents, which minimises the impact on children's welfare. n Staff know children well. They have a good understanding of how children develop and identify suitable next steps in learning for them. Staff plan stimulating activities, which interest babies and children. This helps them make good progress in their learning. n The leadership team support staff to develop their teaching skills. They offer opportunities to complete training courses and work towards qualifications. The leaders spend time in the rooms to role model good practice. They meet regularly with staff to support their overall well-being. This helps staff feel

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need to do better?

committed and motivated. n Staff consider what will benefit the children's development and use additional funding well. For example, they purchased a game of snakes and ladders for children who need to practise turn taking. Staff support children with special

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need to do better?

21 January 2022 educational needs and/or disabilities well. They follow guidance from specialist professionals on how to support these children. This helps children continue to learn and make progress from their starting points. n Parents are happy with the care their children receive. They explain their children have progressed quickly with their speaking skills after attending for a short time. They receive regular updates about their child's learning from staff. n Children's early mathematical skills are evident across the nursery. Staff encourage older children to count accurately and younger children to identify colours. They make learning fun. For example, staff challenge children to identify numbers on the hopscotch mat. n Children have a range of opportunities to build on their independence. Young babies use cutlery to try and feed themselves and toddlers all attempt to put their coats on. Children wash their hands at suitable times, which helps them

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need to do better?

gain an understanding of good hygiene. n Children move their bodies to develop their physical skills. Staff challenge children to hop and jump over spaces on the hopscotch mat. Babies sit on small ride-a-long toys. This helps develop their core body strength. n Staff interact with children well. They ask interesting questions that children thoughtfully answer, for example 'Where might you find a tiger?' On occasion, staff do not challenge the most-able children to think even more.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff and leaders have a strong understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They understand the signs that might indicate a child may be at risk of harm outside the nursery. Staff have good knowledge of the relevant local agencies to report any concerns to. The provider undertakes a robust procedure for all new staff before they are recruited. This helps ensure staff suitability.

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Due date

ensure that written permission is obtained from parents prior to administering medicine to children. 25/02/2022

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should:

n help staff develop a range of ways to challenge the most-able children during

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY468971 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10220678 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 106 Number of children on roll 135 Name of registered person Merry Poppets Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01462 850242 Date of previous inspection 25 October 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Merry Poppets Nursery registered in 2013. The nursery employs 23 members of childcare staff. Of these, 13 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The provider and area manager hold a level 6 qualification. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, except bank holidays. Sessions are from 8am to 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 nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the leaders and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The deputy manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 two joint observations of a planned activity. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector held a meeting with the area managers, looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the

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Inspection activities

nursery. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection.

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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

21 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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