Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Astwick

Inspection of Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Astwick Unit 3 Church Farm, Astwick, Stotfold, Hitchin, Bedfordshire SG5 4BH

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children enjoy their time in this enticing nursery that is based on a farm. They are welcomed by friendly and caring staff who support them to settle in quickly. Children develop strong relationships with staff, who they seek out for support and comfort. This helps them to feel safe and secure. Children develop focus and concentration skills as they fully engage into activities, both indoors and outdoors. For example, younger children enjoy group singing times as they rhythmically tap their knees and copy actions. Children relish in forest school activities as they explore the surrounding farmland. They confidently climb trees and use tools to create their own 'stick' people. Children's behaviour is good. They develop a sense of responsibility. Together they recall rules to stay safe during risky play.

p.2

The provision is good

Children develop a love of books and stories. Staff skilfully capture their interest with with props and puppets. Older children explore books independently, and often ask staff to read books of their choice. They recall the main events and characters of their favourite books. Children develop a love and fascination for the natural world. They eagerly tell others about spiders they find around the garden and visit farm animals nearby. This helps broaden children's experiences.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff demonstrate a secure understanding of the early years curriculum and know their individual children well. They use children's interests to guide their planning and regularly assess progress to ensure that the curriculum staff offer builds on what children need to know next. Children have access to a broad range of activities that allow them to consistently practise and learn new skills. For example, they develop their physical skills as they use scissors to cut shapes in felt, while others use tweezers to find small objects in the sand. n Children develop their independence. Staff teach babies and young children to use spoons to independently feed themselves. Older children expertly manage self-service systems at lunchtimes. Children learn hygiene routines as they wash their hands regularly. They learn the importance of oral health through visits from dentists. Young children enjoy using toothbrushes to clean pictures of

p.2

need to do better?

teeth. n Staff talk to children as they play and introduce new vocabulary daily. For example, during forest school activities, children learn the names of tools they use, such as 'hand saw' and 'bow saw'. Staff use single words with younger children as they play with bubbles. They say 'pop' as they encourage children to reach out for them. However, during everyday conversations with young children, staff do not consistently take every opportunity to expand children's language and vocabulary. n Staff support children and their families who speak English as an additional

p.2

need to do better?

5 July 2022 language effectively. During group time, staff teach children English, French and Italian words. They reinforce this teaching through songs and fun activities. n Mathematical language is woven into everyday routines and activities. Older children use scales to weigh vegetables as they role play together. Younger children count as they add candles to their play dough cakes. Staff use directional words as children play with small-world vehicles. However, occasionally in free-flow play, it is difficult for children to hear each other. This is because the environment is too noisy to enable some children to listen carefully and concentrate on what they are doing. n Members of the management team support staff well. They use effective supervision meetings to check staff's well-being and that their workload is manageable. Staff take part in regular in-house training opportunities. New staff appreciate the in-depth induction process to ensure they feel confident in their

p.2

need to do better?

role. Additional funding is used effectively to support children's individual development needs. n Children's settling-in process and as they move to other rooms in the nursery are managed well. Leaders work with schools to ensure a smooth transition for children when they start school. They complete information forms and invite teachers to the nursery to meet the children. n Parents talk positively about the nursery and staff. They appreciate the regular information shared about their children's learning and daily experiences at the nursery. Parents enjoy stay and play visits which help them to gain a good understanding of their child's day at nursery.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Management has a good knowledge of safer recruitment procedures, to help ensure all staff working with children are suitable to do so. In addition, ongoing checks are carried out to ensure the continuing suitability of staff. Staff attend regular in-house safeguarding training and know about local child protection procedures. They understand the whistle-blowing procedure and what to do if they have a concern about a colleague. All staff are aware of the indicators of abuse and how to report concerns appropriately. Effective risk assessments are in place to ensure children can play safely, inside and outside.

p.3

should:

n strengthen staff's knowledge of how to consistently support younger children's communication and language skills n manage the environment more effectively to help older children to remain focused and to concentrate on their learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2549864 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10221552 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 105 Number of children on roll 200 Name of registered person NJM Investments Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07985198447 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Astwick registered in 2019. It is situated on a farm. The nursery employs 30 members of childcare staff. Of these, 23 staff hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year, closing for one week between Christmas and New Year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 inspector and the manager completed a learning walk across all the areas of the setting to understand how the curriculum is organised. n A joint observation of an activity was carried out by the inspector and the manager. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors. She assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a number of discussions with staff at appropriate times during the inspection and spoke to children. She also took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day. n The inspector held a meeting with the provider and manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

5 July 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6