Monkeymoos Highdown

Inspection of Monkeymoos Highdown Surley Row, Emmer Green, Reading, Berkshire RG4 8LP

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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 enjoy the time they spend at nursery. They benefit enormously from both the indoor and outdoor environments that promote their learning across all seven areas. Children are very confident to make decisions about their play. They are happy and have warm bonds with the staff who care for them. The nursery ethos thoroughly supports children's interests. Staff are particularly keen to ensure that they have a good understanding of children's home and family lives. For example, on the first day children attend following the weekend break, children are encouraged to bring in a photo from home. Children keenly share special events, meetings with friends and relatives, or outings with family. Discussions with friends and staff also promote children's self-awareness and developing language. All children show readiness for the next stages of their learning. Children are motivated and enjoy taking part in their activities. For instance, happy children

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The provision is good

show how relaxed, safe and secure they feel as they invite staff to be 'guests' at a wedding they perform during a role play experience. Children have plenty of fun dressing up and making jewellery to act out what they already understand about these special occasions. Older children show interest in a range of activities that promote their developing literacy awareness. For example, they practise sounding the letters of their name and show effective pencil control as they copy these letters. All children regularly listen with interest to stories.

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need to do better?

n There are secure systems for the recruitment and vetting of staff and an ambitious vision for the nursery. The conscientious manager helps to ensure all of her staff feel valued and that all children, including those who are disadvantaged, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those speaking English as an additional language, are helped to reach their potential. n Staff are encouraged to develop their skills through training and research. The supportive manager also encourages staff to share their visions for future improvement. For example, staff successfully evaluated the reading/book area, which has made vast improvements. As a result, children make even more use of the cosy spaces to enjoy books, add to favourite selections and are re-telling and acting out their own stories. Equally, children are encouraged to have a voice and participate in the smooth running of the nursery. The pre-school

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need to do better?

committee, for instance, hold weekly meetings, choose future topics and have requested favourite meals to be added to their lunchtime menu. n Staff implement a curriculum that is well planned, overall. Children enjoy a broad range of learning that they choose and initiate themselves or that staff plan for them. Staff interactions and deployment are successful, overall. However, at times, staff are not always consistent in how they plan for what it is

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need to do better?

26 July 2022 they want children to learn or what they intend to build on to enhance children's skills and knowledge. In particular, this is most evident in resources that are readily accessible on a daily basis. n Children form secure attachments with the staff who care for them. All children are encouraged to be confident in their self-care, ranging from handwashing, toileting and potty training, blowing noses and disposing of tissues and serving themselves during mealtimes. Children are equally obliging in how they help to clear away after a meal, for instance washing up their plates. Staff help young children to understand the language of feelings and emotions. For example, during group times, they discuss how they are feeling and if not wholly happy, how they can find a positive solution. n Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and this is rewarded as children understand what is expected of them. For example, pre-school children

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need to do better?

on an outing to a local shop for provisions were highly engaged and showed a positive attitude throughout. Children listened to instructions about road safety and expectations for when in the shop. They positively responded to all aspects of the outing. For instance, they followed the map and recognised aspects of the environment, including for some, what will be their new school. Children showed interest in shopping for produce, observing weighing and participating in how much change to expect following the shopping bill. n Parents are positive about the care that their children receive. In particular, they highlight the 'family' online communication system that enables them to liaise with the manager and staff, and to have a clear understanding of children's achievements and tips for home learning. Parents state that children have very warm relationships with their key person and make good progress in their

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need to do better?

language acquisition and mathematical abilities.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of all aspects of safeguarding and how to protect children. They regularly update their knowledge through specific training. Staff know the procedure to follow should an allegation be made against a member of staff. They know how to identify a family at risk of radicalisation and are aware of signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm or abuse. Staff know what to do if a child makes a disclosure to them. Staff adhere to the provider's policies and risk assessments in order to promote children's health, safety and well-being.

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should:

n develop an even clearer understanding of learning intent to ensure children are challenged more to build on what they already know and understand.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2496782 Local authority Reading Inspection number 10191061 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 28 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Monkeymoos Daycare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01183343000 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Monkeymoos Highdown registered in 2018. It provides care Monday to Friday, from 7am to 7pm, for 51 weeks of the year. The nursery employs seven staff. The manager holds a level 5 qualification and the deputy manager holds a level 4 qualification. Two other staff are qualified to level 3. The nursery employs two apprentices working towards appropriate childcare qualifications. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting 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 setting. n The manager completed a learning walk with the inspector. The manager explained the nursery's curriculum and how partnerships with parents are supported. n A joint inspection was completed. The manager explained how staff are supported in their roles. n The inspector met with the manager and regional manager for a leadership meeting. n The inspector spoke with children, staff and parents.

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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

26 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.

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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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