Merrydale Private Day Nursery

Inspection of Merrydale Private Day Nursery Slaithwaite Community Centre, Bank Gate, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD7 5DL

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and well-being are compromised. This is because managers do not ensure that staff have a secure understanding of the safeguarding policy. Staff do not always know the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation against a member of staff.

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The provision is inadequate

That said, children are happy and eager to arrive at the nursery. They engage and focus on their play. Children independently access and explore the environment. They help their friends to wash the cars at a pretend car wash. Children sift through the sand to look for shells. They play with their friends as they dress up as princes and princesses. Children make paper crowns to use in their play. They are respectful of each other and use their manners when asking to have a turn. Children say 'please' and 'thank you' to their friends. Their behaviour is good.

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The provision is inadequate

Children form positive bonds with their key person. Staff know children well. They are aware of any medical needs and ensure that they share important information with parents. Children go to staff for cuddles and sit with them as they share a story. Young babies seek comfort from their key person when they separate from their parents. Children make good progress.

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need to do better?

n The manager has reflected on a previous safeguarding incident at the nursery. The manager has recently sought safeguarding training for staff and carries out spot checks to test out their understanding. However, leaders and some staff do not have a secure understanding of what to do in the event of an allegation regarding a member of staff. This compromises children's safety and well-being. n Children develop a love of books, stories, songs and rhymes. They join in with action songs and take delight in holding their friends' hands during circle songs. Young babies access books independently. They learn to turn the pages of wooden board books. Older children listen to stories in small groups and choose to sit and look at books themselves. n Staff model language effectively. They repeat the sounds that babies make and introduce new words. Staff ask older children open questions. This helps children to think for themselves. Children develop good communication and language

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need to do better?

skills. n Children's mathematical language is supported well. Staff use number names in their play and ask, 'How many fingers am I holding up?' They support children to count their fingers and then find the same number of stones. Children learn new language, such as 'full' and 'empty', as they fill their buckets with sand and water. n Children develop good physical skills. Young babies have tummy time to support

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need to do better?

15 June 2023 their early development. As they get older, staff support them to stand. Older children run, climb and manage steps confidently. Children learn to use a variety of tools. For example, they learn how to use a stapler to connect two pieces of paper. n Staff manage children's behaviour through positive interactions. They provide a self-reflection area, which enables children to have some quiet time when needed. Staff help children to learn and talk about their emotions. Children learn to be kind and considerate to each other and ask to join a game politely. n Parents are welcomed into the nursery. They feel well informed and say their children have built positive relationships with staff. Staff collect information from parents about their child before they start. This includes information about children's routines, likes and dislikes, which helps children to settle when they start. Parents say that their children have made good progress, particularly in

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need to do better?

their communication and language development. n Leaders and managers support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They identify any additional needs early and put effective support in place. Children with SEND make good progress. n The manager has a clear intent of what she wants children to learn as they move through the nursery and on to school. Children build on what they know and can do. However, staff are not always clear on what they want some children to learn during activities. This means that sometimes children do not make the progress they could.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and leaders did not follow correct procedures in the event of an allegation being made against an adult. Also, after recent training, some staff are still not sufficiently secure in their knowledge of such procedures. This means they do not follow the nursery's safeguarding policy. This compromises children's safety and well-being. However, most staff were able to describe indicators of abuse and a range of safeguarding topics. There are secure recruitment procedures in place to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Staff review risk assessments to make sure that the environment is safe and secure for children. The manager carries out supervision sessions with all staff regarding their well- being, training needs and any concerns they may have regarding their key children.

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Due date

15 June 2023 ensure that all staff understand and can implement the safeguarding policy, with particular regard to the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation about an adult in the nursery. 30/06/2023

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should:

n develop a sharper focus on what staff want children to learn during activities so they can support children's development further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2680093 Local authority Kirklees Inspection number 10298204 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 104 Name of registered person Platts, Kellie Jane

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reference number

Telephone number 07889026462 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Merrydale Private Day Nursery registered in 2022 and is in Slaithwaite, Huddersfield. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 staff hold appropriate early years qualification at level 3 and two staff at level 6. 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.

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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 staff and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the nursery. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during outdoor play. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the 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

15 June 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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