Little Munchkins Childcare C.I.C

Inspection of Little Munchkins Childcare C.I.C Bell House, Crimchard, Chard, Somerset TA20 1JP

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are warmly welcomed into the setting, and they benefit from strong attachments to their key person. Staff know children well and understand how to support their progress. They quickly seek support from outside professionals if they have any concerns about children's development.

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The provision is good

Staff provide an exciting curriculum that promotes children's positive attitudes to learning. They use children's interests to build on what they already know and can do. Children delight in independent learning. For example, they enjoy transporting water across the garden and using paintbrushes and chalks to make marks. They watch in delight as the colours mix and are washed away. Staff support children well in this and encourage children's curiosity and them to become independent thinkers.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy positive interactions with staff and behave well. Children receive prompt responses from staff. For example, staff working with babies observe when babies hold out their hands for help to stand up. Toddlers join in with familiar stories and name animals as staff read books aloud. Older children benefit from staff's questioning. Staff give children time to think and respond. Children become confident communicators.

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need to do better?

n Staff regularly observe and assess children's knowledge and abilities. They meet frequently to discuss children's interests and to identify children's next learning steps. Staff use this information thoughtfully to create opportunities that help children develop their existing skills, for example, additional group time to encourage children to join in with familiar stories. Overall, staff support children in their learning. However, children are not always challenged in their thinking. For example, during group times, staff ask questions that some children find far too easy. This has an impact on children's engagement. n Staff create inviting environments for children to discover freely. However, in the rooms the younger children use, there are too many resources out, leading to a cluttered space. This limits opportunities for children to move around, explore and investigate. n Leaders provide a sequenced curriculum to promote children's independence.

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need to do better?

For example, caring staff support the youngest babies to feed themselves. In the toddler room, staff encourage children to use a knife and fork correctly. Older children develop new skills as they serve themselves and use cutlery to cut up their food. Children learn important skills for the future. n Children benefit from regular opportunities to play outside. Babies enjoy rolling balls down a slide and practise their physical development by pulling up to

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need to do better?

4 June 2024 standing. Older children carefully climb steps to a climbing frame and learn how to wait and take turns. All children benefit from positive interactions with staff, and children behave very well. n Leaders support staff with care. Staff receive regular supervision meetings to discuss their key children, professional development opportunities and any personal or work-related concerns. Staff share that they feel supported and listened to, and their opinions are valued. n Staff ensure that children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning. Children benefit from meaningful transitions as they move rooms throughout the nursery. For example, following a key worker and parent meeting, children gradually spend time in their new rooms. Older children build relationships with their prospective teachers in readiness for school. n Parents are warmly welcomed into the nursery, where staff have cultivated

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need to do better?

strong professional partnerships with them. Parents express high praise for all aspects of the care and education that are provided for their children, noting that the staff are friendly, approachable and attentive to their concerns. They appreciate the good communication from the staff and observe that their children are well settled and making good progress. Parents feel fortunate that their children attend the nursery and are completely confident that they are in safe hands.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n develop the way group times are organised so that they better promote high levels of engagement for all children n ensure that the environment for the younger children allows sufficient space for them to investigate, explore and move freely.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2673102 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10339439 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 56 Number of children on roll 108 Name of registered person Little Munchkins Childcare C.I.C

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reference number

Telephone number 07935975219 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Munchkins Childcare C.I.C. registered in 2022 and is located in Chard, Somerset. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of whom, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am to 5.30pm. 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 their evaluation of the provider. 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 inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

4 June 2024 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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