The Mulberry Bush Day Nursery

Inspection of The Mulberry Bush Day Nursery 'Brooklands', Brooklands Way, Marston Green, BIRMINGHAM B37 7HL

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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

Throughout the nursery, there is a consistent and progressive approach to supporting children's language skills and understanding of a range of vocabulary. Practitioners skilfully use sign language to enhance their communications with children. For example, with older children, they make the signs for words they encounter when they read to them. Practitioners use signs to support understanding of words with younger children including, 'finished', ' more' and signs for actions. All children to progress well from their starting points.

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The provision is good

Staff regularly use technology to engage children and further their understanding. They use a range of media including videos to help children to explore their interests, such as with trains.

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The provision is good

Staff are attentive to the needs of children and show high levels of respect during their interactions. Children are relaxed and emotionally ready to play and learn. Staff ask children permission before they wipe children's noses and provide a clear narrative during nappy changing. When children need extra support for managing their emotions at key times of the day, staff use songs as a verbal cue for what is about to happen. Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and teach key boundaries in each room. Children behave well.

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need to do better?

n Leaders work closely with the various teams from the local authority to support children and make improvements to their education. They have recently modified their planning arrangements and are currently refining their curriculum. n Leaders provide staff with regular supervisions and one-to-one appraisals. Staff training is high on their agenda and they plan frequent training opportunities. Recent training has supported staff who are new to working in a particular age group. Leaders complete occasional learning walks to review staff practice. However, they do not make full use of their monitoring arrangements to gain a thorough understanding about staff strengths and areas to develop. n Leaders make effective use of funding to benefit the children it is intended for. This includes providing additional training for staff and using external provision, such as involving play therapists to support children's emotional needs.

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need to do better?

n Parents speak positively about the service provided and share how their children love attending. They receive frequent written reports about their children including 'wow moments' and learning targets that are shared via the online app. Staff in the rooms know children well and provide daily opportunities for back- and-forth discussions about children during drop off and collection times. However, the current arrangements mean that parents do not benefit from regular opportunities to have conversations with their child's dedicated key

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need to do better?

21 November 2024 person. n Teaching is consistently strong across the nursery. Practitioners have a clear understanding of the curriculum focus for each room. They use their strong knowledge of child development to analyse their observations of children to design personalised learning programmes for each child. This ensures that all children are well-supported in making good progress and gaining the skills they need in readiness for school. n Staff plan teaching interventions to support children who experience speech and language delay. They use a wide repertoire of strategies, including using objects alongside words, and exercises to support their mouth muscles. For example, staff specifically use pieces of fruit for children to bite on and opportunities to drink from an unlidded cup. n Staff plan the learning environment so this reflects the seven areas of learning in ways that are developmentally appropriate in each room. Babies benefit from

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need to do better?

opportunities to gain control of their movements, such as travelling through and around furniture. They eagerly climb in and out of cardboard boxes. Older children concentrate and take turns as they carefully travel across stepping stones. Staff include play dough in the rooms to support children's hand strength. They teach toddlers how to roll balls with dough. Staff specifically give older children clay because it is harder to shape. n Staff provide children with increasing opportunities to develop their sense of responsibility and make choices. Children gain confidence to manage their personal care needs. Staff recognise when they need to stand back so children can try things for themselves, such as managing their lunchtime routines. Older children choose whether they want to play indoors or outdoors and have free flow. All children show a can-do attitude and are engaged in their chosen play. n Staff help children to develop their social interaction skills and plan games so

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need to do better?

children can play with their friends, learn to share and take turns. Toddlers show an interest in forming friendships and stand giggling in a group together.

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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 monitor teaching to precisely analyse current practice and identify strategic focus for development that continuously benefits children n extend the partnership working with parents to provide continuity for them to have back and forth discussions with their child's key person.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY538628 Local authority Solihull Inspection number 10360536 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 55 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person Vanmar Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0121 779 6981 Date of previous inspection 8 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The Mulberry Bush Day Nursery registered in 2016. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold approved early years qualification at level 6, four and level 3 and two at level 2. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for public holidays and a week at Christmas. They open 7.30am to 5.30 Monday to Friday with the exception of a 5pm close on Thursday. The nursery provides funded early education for under twos, two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children interacted with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual/registered individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a listening activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of

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Inspection activities

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

21 November 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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