The Mericourt Nursery

Inspection of The Mericourt Nursery Mericourt, Sandyforth Lane, Lightfoot Green, Preston PR4 0AL

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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

Staff are welcoming and caring. Babies quickly form secure attachments with their key staff who comfort and cuddle them. Children understand the routines of the day which supports them to feel secure. Staff offer lots of praise and help to build children's confidence. Children happily chat with staff about their day and about their new schools, for instance. The provider places a focus on celebrating diversity and children have lots of opportunities to experience interesting aspects of different cultures. For instance, they try on saris and have their hands painted with henna patterns.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a wide breadth of exciting experiences. They learn why it is important to follow rules and how to manage risk. For instance, in forest school sessions children enjoy a campfire where they carefully follow the rules and meet staff's expectations of them. Children learn about where their food comes from as they grow fruits and vegetables in their allotment. They enjoy eating meals outside with their friends as they learn key social skills. Children look forward to their regular dance sessions. Staff plan an exciting and ambitious curriculum, through which children make good progress in their learning.

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need to do better?

n The provider is passionate about childcare and has a vision for the nursery. They are reflective of their practice and work hard conducting research and gathering the views of staff and parents. All aspects of the nursery are continually evolving as a result of the provider's diligence. This makes it an enabling environment where staff are well supported to develop their skills. This helps to support children's learning and development well. n Effective monitoring and assessment procedures help staff to plan for children's learning. Staff use children's interests well to plan activities which capture their imagination and enthusiasm. For instance, staff plan bug hunts and painting activities which include counting and number recognition. This helps children to make good progress in their learning. n Older and more capable children's communication skills are well promoted through an extensive range of interesting experiences and activities. The

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need to do better?

provider has plans in place for further staff training, for example, to support younger children and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to the same level. However, these initiatives are still in their infancy. Therefore, children with SEND and babies do not always benefit from the same rich opportunities to hear language and practise their communication skills. n Staff work closely with a range of outside agencies to provide appropriate support for children with SEND. Staff complete training to manage children's specific physical and medical needs. Staff offer parents targeted support as they

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need to do better?

24 July 2024 make choices about the next stages of their children's education. Children with SEND make progress from their starting points. n Children's mathematical understanding is well supported. Staff plan lots of opportunities for children to learn about shape and space and to use mathematical language. Children learn to recognise numbers and count proficiently. This gives them a firm base to build on their understanding. n Staff support children well as they transition through the nursery rooms and on to school. Staff help children to become familiar with their new environments through phased transitions. This helps them to develop their confidence and love of learning as they explore new opportunities and develop more skills. n Staff support children to keep their bodies healthy. Children try new vegetables that they have grown, such as spinach in their home-cooked bhajis. They develop stamina and their large muscles as they go for walks in the local area

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need to do better?

and climb on the exciting play equipment in the outdoor areas at nursery. Children's overall well-being is very well promoted. n Staff help children to build on the skills that they will need in life. They encourage babies as they take their first steps. Older children make sandwiches and serve their own food at mealtimes. Children learn to manage their own self- care needs. Children learn important independence skills. n Children learn how they are each unique. Staff teach them about different family dynamics and how they are similar to and different from one another. They learn about each other's backgrounds and heritage. Children learn to respect others and to celebrate their individuality.

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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 support staff to promote children's communication and language skills with more focus, particularly the youngest children and those with SEND.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2721541 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10358161 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 58 Number of children on roll 99 Name of registered person The Mericourt Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07933636101 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Mericourt Nursery registered in 2023 and is located in Preston. They operate 50 weeks of the year from 7.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday except for bank holidays. There are 17 members of childcare staff including the manager. Of these, one holds an appropriate qualification at level 5, one at level 4, eight at level 3 and three at level 2. 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 viewed the provision and discussed what the provider's intents for children's learning. n Children and staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 carried out joint observations of group activities with the provider. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

24 July 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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