Merry Kidz Day Nursery

Inspection of Merry Kidz Day Nursery The Pineapple, Garratt Way, Manchester, Lancashire M18 8HE

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

The provider has not reflected carefully on the organisation of the nursery. Consequently, there are weaknesses in the effective management of the nursery. The key-person system does not fully support children's individual needs. Furthermore, the provider has not ensured that records on children's medical care needs are kept up to date. There is a curriculum intent in place. However, not all children's learning is consistently well supported to build on what they already know and can do. For instance, some staff do not always implement the curriculum for communication and language effectively.

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The provision requires improvement

Children are happy and settled at this welcoming nursery. Staff working with the youngest children are particularly nurturing. They quickly notice when babies may need additional support. For example, staff recognise when babies are tired and offer them reassuring cuddles. Leaders and staff have a clear vision about what they want children to achieve. They provide a very nurturing environment, with plenty of opportunities to develop all children's independence. For example, staff support babies to feed themselves. In addition, staff support older children to understand risks as they use knives safely to slice their own fruit. This supports children to start to learn how to manage their own risks.

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need to do better?

n There are weaknesses in the key-person system. Parents are aware of who their child's key person is, and staff share some information about their child's daily routines, including details of meals and sleep times. However, leaders do not consistently ensure that some staff have a thorough knowledge of their key children or a secure understanding of how to support their individual care needs. This means that the current key-person system is not always effective in supporting and promoting children's well-being. n The nursery continues to provide care and education for many children. However, leaders have not reflected carefully on the organisation of the nursery to help them to support all children's individual needs consistently. For instance, required records such as children's individual medical care plans have not been consistently maintained. This creates some confusion around children's needs.

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need to do better?

Although there is no significant impact on children's well-being, this does hinder the quality of care that some children receive. n In the main, the curriculum for communication and language is good. Babies sign songs and try to join in actions. This supports them to develop an understanding of rhythm and rhyme. Older children regularly hear new words, such as 'spiky' and 'press', which helps them to expand their vocabulary. However, at times, staff do not consider how they use questioning to encourage children to think for themselves, develop their critical thinking skills and start to

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need to do better?

29 May 2025 problem-solve. n The curriculum for physical development is a strength. For example, staff strategically place furniture that is just the right height around the room to encourage babies to pull themselves up. Older children enjoy spending time in the garden riding the bicycles and climbing to develop their large muscles. Therefore, all children develop their small and large muscles through a range of learning opportunities. n Staff pride themselves on providing a diverse set of experiences that enhance some of children's learning. Children take part in local community projects such as contributing to 'toy banks'. In addition, they enjoy different cultural cuisines as they learn about festivals from around the world. This means all children develop an understanding of their local community and the world around them. n Staff support children to learn about healthy lifestyles. Children take part in

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need to do better?

supervised teeth cleaning during their nursery day and develop an understanding of the importance of good oral health. In addition, parents are provided with oral hygiene packs that include a toothbrush and information relating to correct brushing techniques. This helps to encourage children to continue their good oral hygiene at home. n Staff manage children's behaviour well. Children respond to staff's reminders to have 'kind hands' and to take turns. Older children listen and respond well to instructions. For example, when children arrive, they are encouraged to hang their coats and bags up on their individual coat pegs. Children gain skills they will need as they move on to school. n Leaders focus very well on staff's well-being. Staff feel well supported in everything they do, achieve a work-life balance and work with enthusiasm. Leaders recognise the importance of effective supervision and continuous

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need to do better?

professional development. For example, some staff have recently completed the Early Years Professional Development Programme to improve their practice and experiences for children.

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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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Due date

29 May 2025 implement an effective key-person system to ensure that all children are allocated a key person who understands their individual needs and supports their emotional health and development 13/06/2025

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Due date

implement robust systems to obtain information about a child's needs for medicines and for keeping this information up to date. 13/06/2025

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should:

n strengthen the implementation of the communication and language curriculum, with particular regard to enhancing children's critical thinking skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY554651 Local authority Manchester Inspection number 10396843 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 75 Number of children on roll 154 Name of registered person Merry Kidz Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0161 327 0717 Date of previous inspection 13 March 2020

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Information about this early years setting

Merry Kidz Day Nursery registered in 2018. It is situated in Gorton, Manchester. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds early years teacher status, four hold relevant qualifications at level 3 or above, one holds an appropriate qualification at level 2, and three members of staff are unqualified. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, from 8am to 6pm. The nursery provides government funded early education.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector and leaders completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector held meetings with the manager and the deputy manager to find out about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector spoke to the children and staff and took account of their views at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

29 May 2025 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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