Mulberry Bush Ashbourne Ltd

Inspection of Mulberry Bush Ashbourne Ltd 90-92 Belper Road, ASHBOURNE, Derbyshire DE6 1BD

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children arrive eager to play and learn. They settle happily with warm, caring staff. Children and staff share very positive relationships. For example, babies sit on their key person's knees as they settle in. Staff gently support them to engage with toys and encourage their interaction with other children. Behaviour is very well supported throughout the nursery. The youngest children are calmly helped to understand the impact of any unwanted actions. For example, staff swiftly step in to prevent young children from throwing, encouraging them to roll toys instead. Children are confident as they talk and laugh with visitors as they ask them interesting questions. Children happily discuss what they like to do and share how they help less-confident friends to take part.

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The provision is good

Children have their curiosity ignited. Staff ask well-placed questions that extend learning. For example, as staff encourage toddlers to smell herbs in the garden, they ask them how they smell and feel. Toddlers proudly explain to visitors that they planted the herbs. They confidently demonstrate how they made small holes in the soil with their fingers and gently pushed the plants in. Staff further children's learning as they add herbs to the play dough inside. Children are encouraged to recall new words, such as 'rosemary' and 'thyme'.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have developed a well-sequenced curriculum which has a strong focus on children's personal, social and emotional development. Staff use their knowledge of each child to teach them in a way that excites them. For example, they use dens to create communication-friendly spaces. These also encourage children to play imaginatively with their friends. n Children have a range of opportunities to be physically active. For instance, older children excitedly join in with a group exercise session. Staff teach children about the importance of warming up their muscles and help them understand how exercise will help their bodies. Staff are well deployed to help all children take part. n Children's health is well supported across the nursery. For example, they are provided with healthy meals which are cooked on site by the nursery cook. Children are helped to understand when they need to rest. They are provided

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need to do better?

with quiet spaces and sleep times according to their personal routines. n There is a secure key-person system in place. Staff get to know individual children well and build secure relationships with them. As a result, children's emotional well-being is well supported. This helps children grow in confidence and develop a strong sense of belonging. n Staff have a well-considered approach to helping babies settle into the nursery. They tailor settling-in visits to suit children's individual needs. Staff work hard to

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need to do better?

28 July 2022 build relationships with babies as they settle. They carry them around the garden, speaking gently and singing to them as they build bonds together. n Staff naturally extend children's language and check their understanding. This is done through high-quality interactions across a range of activities. However, staff do not always provide enough support for less-confident children, to further help them build on their vocabulary and practise their language skills. n Parents explain that they are very happy with the nursery provision. They discuss the improvements the management has made to communication systems. For example, an online diary has been implemented for individual children. This means parents can stay up to date with their child's day and learn about the activities they have been involved in. n Children's transitions between group rooms are well planned and supported. Staff understand what children need to know to be able to make transitions

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need to do better?

confidently. For example, they help to support younger children to manage their own toileting needs in preparation for a move up to the pre-school room. Staff build good relationships with local schools. They hold appropriate discussions with the child's new teacher to ensure the transfer of important information before children leave and move on to school. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are very well supported. However, staff do not always quickly recognise where there may be emerging concerns in a child's development. This means timely support is not always put in place.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a secure knowledge of the possible signs that a child may be at risk of harm. They know the procedures to follow should they need to report a concern about a child. Staff undertake regular safeguarding training to ensure this knowledge stays up to date. The manager ensures safer recruitment checks are conducted to confirm the suitability of staff working with children. These are updated regularly to ensure the continued suitability of staff. There are well- considered fire evacuation procedures in place. There are appropriate procedures for monitoring visitors to the nursery.

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should:

n strengthen support for less-confident children to build on the range of words they know and to practise their language skills n support staff to quickly identify where there may be potential concerns about a child's development, and plan activities and support to help close gaps in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY488282 Local authority Derbyshire Inspection number 10236646 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 117 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person The Mulberry Bush Ashbourne Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01335 342474 Date of previous inspection 12 August 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Mulberry Bush Ashbourne Ltd registered in 2015. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. Of these, 14 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with a degree in early years childhood studies and one with a foundation degree in early years. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. It also supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The deputy manager, provider and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed how they intend to implement the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector throughout the inspection. n The inspector spoke with staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the deputy manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the deputy manager and provider. She reviewed relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working

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Inspection activities

in the nursery. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

28 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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