Meadowcroft Munchkins

Inspection of Meadowcroft Munchkins Quarrendon & Meadowcroft Community Centre, 147 Meadowcroft, AYLESBURY, Buckinghamshire HP19 9HH

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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 enter the nursery with beaming smiles, excited and motivated to learn. They confidently explore and engage in the range of interesting activities and experiences staff have planned. For example, children explore with their senses and use different tools. Young children pick up and cut pieces of cooked spaghetti with pincers and scissors. Older children make paintings using pegs with different- textured materials attached. They squeeze open the pegs to carefully attach pieces of foil and cotton wool. Children develop their hand-to-eye coordination and concentration as they learn to control their movements and build strength in their hands. They benefit from a well-structured curriculum and make good progress in their learning and development.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy spending time with the friendly and nurturing staff who know them well. This has a positive impact on children's social and emotional development and overall well-being. Babies respond positively to staff's playful interactions. They copy simple actions such as clapping their hands and waving as they begin to communicate their needs and interests. Children form close friendships with their peers. They work together and listen to each other's ideas. For instance, children make a border with bricks around their flower arrangements. They talk about how this will protect the flowers. Children develop problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate with their friends as they collaborate as a team. They learn about taking care of things and develop an understanding of the world around them.

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need to do better?

n The manager and her team are dedicated to providing good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They work in close partnership with parents and professionals to ensure they follow strategies that meet children's specific needs. Staff observe and assess children's progress in order to swiftly identify any emerging needs and ensure they put in place suitable support. They are committed to making sure all children achieve the best possible outcomes. n Staff support children's mathematical abilities well. For instance, younger children hear numbers in sequence as they listen to familiar rhymes and songs. Older children recognise how many dots they can see on a dice and accurately count each dot to check their predictions. They make links between the amount and their age as they develop a secure understanding of number. n Staff promote children's good health through providing opportunities for children

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need to do better?

to be physically active. For example, children ride tricycles around the playground, racing their friends and getting their heart rates up. They benefit from the positive effect exercise and fresh air has on their bodies. n Overall, staff interact with children positively to support their communication and

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need to do better?

3 February 2023 language development. They give clear instructions, ask children questions and allow children plenty of time to speak and share their thoughts and ideas. However, on occasions, staff do not introduce children to even more rich and varied vocabulary during their interactions. Therefore, they do not extend children's knowledge about what they are learning to an even higher level. n Staff use positive techniques to ensure children understand the daily routine. They let children know when something is about to happen and give them time to finish what they are doing. They give children opportunities to do things independently, such as serving their own snack. This allows children to develop a sense of responsibility and supports them to know what is expected of them and what is coming next. Consequently, children behave well. n Children have access to a wide range of books. They enjoy looking at these

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need to do better?

independently and together with staff. Overall, staff read to children with enthusiasm. For instance, they ask questions and talk to children about how the different characters might feel. However, sometimes when staff read to children in large groups, they do not support all children to engage and concentrate effectively. Therefore, some children become distracted and do not benefit fully from the experience. n The manager works with children's key persons and parents to ensure any additional funding for children is spent effectively. For instance, she purchases resources and creates learning packs based on children's individual next steps. Children can take these home to share with parents and continue their learning at home. n The manager has effective systems to monitor and develop staff's knowledge and skills and support their well-being. Staff work closely together to share new ideas and reflect on their practice. This helps their continuous development and

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need to do better?

contributes to their ability to provide good experiences for children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a secure understanding of their responsibilities to safeguard children. They confidently know the procedures they must follow if they have concerns about the welfare of a child or the conduct of adults working with children. The manager and her deputy make sure staff are aware of the signs and symptoms that might indicate a child is at risk of abuse. Staff carry out regular fire drills to teach children how to evacuate the building safely in the event of an emergency. The manager has robust procedures to check the identity of any visitors and ensure the premises are safe and secure for children.

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should:

3 February 2023 n provide further support for staff to enhance their interactions with children by introducing them to more rich and varied vocabulary and extending children's knowledge to a higher level n support staff to organise large-group activities, such as story time, more effectively, to ensure all children involved can fully engage and benefit from the experience.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY400415 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10263708 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Hillier, Rachel Louise Rayner

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reference number

Telephone number 07955658478 Date of previous inspection 10 May 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Meadowcroft Munchkins registered in 2009 and is located in the Quarrendon and Meadowcroft Community Centre, in Meadowcroft, in Aylesbury. It is open Monday to Friday, from 9.15am to 12.15pm, term time only. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years, and is in receipt of early years pupil premium funding. There are seven members of staff, four of whom hold relevant qualifications at level 3 or above.

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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 of the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to children and staff during the inspection. n Parents shared their views on the setting with the inspector. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND.

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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

3 February 2023 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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