Banana Moon Day Nursery

Inspection of Banana Moon Day Nursery Manor Farm Court, Manor Road, Lower Sundon, Bedfordshire LU3 3NZ

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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 form close attachments to staff and show they feel safe and secure in the nursery. Babies spend time exploring crispy rice cereal and flour. They pick the resources up and enjoy the sensation of them tricking through their fingers. Older children use dough to make cakes. They carefully use buttons for decorations and enjoy pretending that it is someone's birthday. Young children show how they are learning how to take care of themselves. They know to look if any cars are moving before they cross the car park to the outdoor area.

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The provision is good

Children become physically skilful and independent. They have access to the large outdoor space in all weathers. Children learn to put on their own coats and wellington boots. Older children move strategically across obstacle courses. They discuss how to manoeuvre safely from obstacle to obstacle. Children gain a sense of responsibility as they learn to serve their own meals, use cutlery and scrape their plates. Children's behaviour is good. They learn to be patient and take turns on the popular balance bikes. Children know that when the timer runs out it is another child's turn and they readily offer the bike to a friend.

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need to do better?

n Staff identify children's individual learning needs and interests and, overall, plan a wide range of activities across all areas of learning. Good systems are in place to track children's progress. This helps staff to recognise any gaps in learning quickly. They take prompt action to support children who have additional needs. As a result, all children are making good progress and are well prepared for the next stage in their education. n Children who speak English as an additional language make rapid progress in their communication and language skills. Staff learn words in children's home languages, which helps them to understand their needs. Parents visit the nursery to share stories and songs. This enables children to learn about and celebrate their differences. n Partnerships with parents are very good. Parents say that staff share information with them about their children's progress and provide advice on how to support

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need to do better?

their learning at home. Parents state that their children are very happy to attend and benefit from spending lots of time outdoors. n Children thrive in their communication and language development. As babies paint, staff use clear words such as 'dab, dab'. Babies quickly understand that this describes their actions and say the words themselves. Staff understand how to reinforce children's learning. For example, when blowing bubbles, they repeat the words 'bubble' and 'pop'. Staff then sing songs containing the same words, and babies begin to join in. n Children are learning how to adopt healthy lifestyles. They talk about feeling

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need to do better?

5 December 2022 warm and out of breath after running. Mealtimes are relaxed, sociable occasions. Children talk about the foods they like to eat and they know that fruit is a healthy choice. Children develop their personal independence as they learn to serve and feed themselves. n The provider and her management team use robust recruitment and selection procedures. They carefully identify staff who are suitable and who share their vision for high-quality care and education. A comprehensive induction procedure helps staff to quickly understand their role and responsibilities. Any identified weaknesses in practice are dealt with quickly and fairly. n The well-qualified provider supports her staff team very well and builds a positive atmosphere for staff well-being. She has strong systems to observe, monitor and supervise staff. Continuous professional development is given high priority. Staff talk confidently about how training has an impact on their practice.

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need to do better?

n Overall, staff support children's learning well and are attentive to their emotional and care needs. However, staff do not always have the highest expectations for what the pre-school children can learn. At times, the curriculum is too narrow and staff do not make the best use of spontaneous learning opportunities. They do not always recognise when more effective learning could happen in the extensive outdoor area. This results in some children not being consistently engaged in effective learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider and staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. They have secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. All staff know the procedures they must follow to report concerns both in the setting and to outside agencies. Managers and staff update their safeguarding knowledge through training, discussions and staff meetings. They demonstrate a clear understanding of when children may be influenced by radical or extremist views. Staff provide a safe and secure environment for all children. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and the security of the nursery site is given the utmost priority.

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should:

n enhance staff skills and knowledge in strengthening the curriculum for pre- school children, to extend and challenge children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY430621 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10235564 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 52 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person Bearne Child Care Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01525 874 114 or 07783358538 Date of previous inspection 10 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Banana Moon Day Nursery registered in 2011. The nursery employs 21 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including the provider who has early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, with the exception of one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. 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 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 her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector completed a learning walk with the provider across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n Two joint observations were carried out and discussed between the inspector and the provider. n The inspector looked at a sample of the nursery's documentation during a meeting with the provider. This included reviewing information about safeguarding, complaints, staff suitability and training. n Staff, children and parents spoke with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. The inspector took their views into consideration.

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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

5 December 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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