Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery

Inspection of Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery 50 Chapel Street, Billericay, Essex CM12 9LU

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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 warmly greeted at the door by their key person, whenever possible. This provides a positive start to children's day. Babies receive cuddles and reassurance from attentive staff to help them feel emotionally secure. The youngest children have many opportunities to explore natural materials. They are introduced to mathematical concepts, such as 'full' and 'empty', when they watch water trickle out of containers. Babies investigate real fruit and vegetables and hear new descriptive words, to build on their vocabulary. Staff demonstrate how to roll out a 'sausage'. Toddlers repeat, 'roll, roll, roll', as they use their hands to make their own shapes. Staff extend children's understanding of size and length when they compare two 'sausages' side by side. They listen attentively when children talk about their Christmas trees. This helps children feel respected and encourages them to speak more.

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The provision is good

Children learn ways they can keep themselves healthy. In the pre-school room, they clean a doll's teeth with a toothbrush. Children explain, 'If you don't brush your teeth, you'll get bad teeth.' They play outside in all weathers. Children are fascinated to see how their bicycles make tracks in the snow. Older children take part in an organised sports session, where they practise a range of physical skills. They listen carefully to instructions and learn how to throw and catch balls and beanbags.

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need to do better?

n The new manager is committed to leading a strong team that puts children at the centre of everything it does. She is working with her deputy to gradually make changes to further improve practice and the environment. In turn, staff say that management are approachable and supportive. n There is clear progression through the nursery. Staff have realistic expectations about what they want children to be able to do before they move up to the next room or go to school. They provide a range of interesting activities that support children on their journey towards acquiring these skills and knowledge. Staff know the precise purpose of each activity and how their key children will benefit. n Staff use familiar stories to capture children's interest. Children look at a book about a tiger who comes to visit. They become engrossed in making 'tea' and 'cakes'. Children have fun while practising meaningful skills. They competently

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need to do better?

pour water from a teapot and watch the effects of mixing flour and water. n Children have many opportunities to develop their independence. Babies are beginning to feed themselves. Staff support toddlers to scrape their own plates. Older children count, 'one, two, three, stop', when pouring their own drinks, to make sure they do not overfill their cups. n Children understand the rules of the setting. Staff model where to place

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need to do better?

13 December 2022 resources, and children eagerly help to put the equipment away. Staff praise children for their achievements. This encourages children to try harder and persevere, such as when they put on their own snowsuits. n Staff take account of each baby's unique routine. Therefore, babies sleep and eat according to their own natural patterns. Consequently, they are very settled and content. However, staff working with older children follow a less flexible routine. For example, at times, staff divide children into pre-determined groups to take part in an activity, play outside or go into the 'messy room'. In addition, staff will interrupt children's deep engagement, for instance, to change a nappy at a set time. This means that staff do not consider children's choices, ways of learning and individual interests consistently. n The manager has worked hard to build parent partnerships since the COVID-19

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need to do better?

pandemic. As a result, she has introduced 'stay and play' sessions, special events and a very successful 'coffee and cake pop-in' for parents to meet informally with the management team. n Parents highly praise the staff team and feel well-informed. They welcome the organised parents' evenings and the detailed information they receive, online and in person, about their children's learning and development. n Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to maximise each child's potential. The whole staff team attends focused training that equips all of its members to meet the specific needs of children who attend. The special educational needs coordinator guides and advises staff effectively, ensuring that all children make progress. Parents comment on how much staff have helped them with, for example, filling out forms and signposting for advice and support.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and her deputy have attended training that enables them to recognise ways to recruit more safely. They implement checks that contribute to staff's ongoing suitability. Safeguarding is always an agenda item at regular staff supervisions and team meetings. This enables staff to keep up to date with current legislation and ensures that safeguarding remains a focus of their individual practice. Staff are confident of the actions to take if they have any concerns about the welfare of a child or colleague, including in the event of an allegation against a colleague. The manager monitors accident and attendance records to be aware of any patterns that may indicate that a child is at risk.

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should:

n review routines to increase the opportunities for toddlers and pre-school children to play uninterrupted, make decisions and follow their own interests.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY412761 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10235428 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 55 Number of children on roll 67 Name of registered person MB & SR Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01277 624999 Date of previous inspection 14 March 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery registered in 2010. It is situated in Billericay. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, the manager holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 5, nine hold level 3, one holds level 2 and there are two apprentices. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. Opening times are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for 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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of the nursery. The manager and room leaders spoke about their curriculum and how they help children learn. n The inspector observed the quality of staff's interactions with the children, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. n Staff and parents spoke to the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. The inspector took account of their views. n The manager carried out joint observations with the inspector. n The inspector met with the manager and discussed how she leads the nursery. n The manager showed the inspector documents to evidence staff suitability.

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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 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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