Madhatters Nursery

Inspection of Madhatters Nursery Mad Hatters Nursery School, Longmoor Road, LIPHOOK, Hampshire GU30 7NY

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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 are extremely happy and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in this home-from-home environment. They wave their parents off at the front door and embrace staff with hugs. Those children who are new to the setting enjoy plenty of cuddles and lots of reassurance. Consequently, they settle quickly and are keen to make independent decisions in their play. For example, younger children become immersed in painting activities. They express themselves as they make marks and actively talk about their drawings. Older children show good creative skills. They focus intently as they construct models using recycled materials. Children enthusiastically find what they need to complete their designs. They carefully peel and cut tape, which helps to build on the muscles in their hands and fingers.

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The provision is good

Children spend a lot of time outdoors. They plant and harvest a variety of herbs, fruit and vegetables, and learn about life cycles. Children show a love of the natural world and clearly enjoy investigating nature. They excitedly lift logs, look through magnifying glasses and talk about what they find with genuine interest. Staff consistently praise children for their achievements, which boosts their self-esteem. Children play extremely well alongside staff and their friends, and show a positive attitude to learning.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan an ambitious curriculum that focuses on what children know and can do. They provide children with a wide range of stimulating activities that motivate them to learn. For example, younger children squish and mould play dough into different shapes. They practise how to use scissors and use mathematical language in their play, such as 'bigger' and 'smaller'. n Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language highly effectively. The special educational needs coordinator leaves no stone unturned to remove barriers to learning. She reviews intervention plans with precision and forms strong links with other professionals involved in children's care. This ensures that children with identified delays in their learning receive support swiftly. n The managers have a clear vision for future developments at the nursery. They

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need to do better?

have recently made effective changes to the two- to three-year-old room to support children in making further choices in their play. Supervision procedures are effective and managers provide staff with professional opportunities to extend their knowledge and skills. However, recent monitoring of teaching has not been precise enough to identify where some staff need additional support and guidance. On occasion, staff do not provide children with further challenge to extend and maximise their learning to the highest level.

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need to do better?

13 September 2022 n Partnership working with parents is highly effective. Staff regularly exchange information on children's ongoing progress through discussion and digital media. They share key information to help parents build on their children's future learning, such as their speech and language. Parents comment that staff treat their children as unique individuals and they flourish in their care. n Staff support children's communication and language skills very well. They teach children new words to help build on their developing speech and vocabulary. For example, children pick herbs in the garden. They name them and talk about their enticing smell. Children are confident communicators. They transport their herbs to the mud kitchen and show excellent imagination as they discuss the pretend meals they are cooking. n Children have a variety of experiences to support their literacy skills. For example, staff provide cosy and inviting reading areas where children enjoy

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need to do better?

listening to stories and looking at books independently. This helps children to prepare for their future learning in readiness for school. n Staff promote children's health and well-being highly effectively. They provide children with a variety of nutritious snacks and talk to children about the importance of making healthy food choices. Children actively discuss why they need to take regular exercise. Their laughter fills the air as they jump in puddles and whizz around on the ride-on toys. Children behave well. They form close friendships and willingly share and take turns when using the resources.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff attend regular safeguarding training and are clear about their responsibility to keep children safe. Staff supervise children well. They carry out daily checks on all areas of the nursery to ensure children play in a safe environment. Recruitment and vetting procedures are thorough and help to ensure that staff are suitable for their roles. Staff attend regular training to keep their safeguarding knowledge and skills up to date. They have a good understanding of signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm and they are clear on the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about a child in their care.

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should:

n strengthen arrangements for coaching and support, to help staff understand how to provide children with further challenge in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY483520 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10228968 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 46 Number of children on roll 67 Name of registered person Chiverton Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01428727288 Date of previous inspection 19 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Madhatters Nursery registered in 2014. The nursery operates from buildings in the grounds of Bohunt Community School in Liphook, Hampshire. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery is open between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday, during term time only. It offers an earlier start time at 8am. There are 13 members of staff who work at the nursery. Of these, one holds a relevant level 6 qualification, one holds a level 5 early years qualification and nine hold relevant qualifications at level 3.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation. n The deputy manager and the inspector completed a learning walk. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children throughout the day and evaluated the impact these had on children's learning. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the deputy manager. n The inspector held discussions with managers, staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n Relevant documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including evidence of the suitability and training of staff. n The views of parents were obtained by the inspector through discussions and written testimonials.

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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

13 September 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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