Monkey Puzzle Kettering

Inspection of Monkey Puzzle Kettering Former School Lane Clinic, British Lane, KETTERING, Northamptonshire NN16 0BP

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children and their parents are welcomed into the setting by kind and friendly staff. Staff get to know children well, developing trusting bonds. This helps them feel secure, confident and ready to engage in learning.

p.2

The provision is good

Leaders have worked closely with staff to develop and implement a curriculum that is ambitious for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff sequence learning so every child can build on the skills they have already achieved. For example, babies use spoons to scoop rice to develop the skills required for using cutlery independently. Children show a positive attitude to learning. They actively explore the nursery and select from the many experiences on offer. Staff plan and join in activities that build on children's development. For example, staff help pre-school children make pretend birthday cakes from dough. They count matchstick candles and match them to number cards. This supports children's awareness of numbers. Toddlers use pipettes to mix coloured water in bowls while staff assist them in observing how the colours change.

p.2

The provision is good

Children listen well and follow instructions. Staff use daily routines, which they display on the visual timetable to help children know what is expected of them. For instance, children know to find their name cards on their chair at lunchtime and quickly sit down for lunch.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for the setting, with a strong focus on raising quality. Since the last inspection, they have taken purposeful steps to strengthen staff's knowledge and improve curriculum implementation. Leaders regularly evaluate practice through observations, planning reviews and staff discussions. They act on their findings to make meaningful enhancements. n Children make good progress from their starting points. Staff make regular observations and assessments to gain an understanding of what children know and can do. They select weekly focus children to help them identify specific learning needs for each child. This helps them to plan activities to support children's ongoing development. n Overall, children's communication and language is well supported. Staff promote early language development by reading stories, singing songs and engaging in conversations with children. However, staff do not maximise opportunities to

p.2

need to do better?

extend and build on vocabulary during play. As a result, not all children make the best possible progress in their language development n Children take part in regular physical activity. They enjoy riding tricycles and climbing in the garden. Children use tools, such as tweezers, scissors and rolling

p.2

need to do better?

4 September 2025 pins, with confidence. Staff plan these opportunities to build on children's physical development. n Overall behaviour is good. Children cooperate well and follow the nursery rules. However, staff are not always consistent in managing behaviour. Although they intervene promptly in response to negative behaviour, they do not consistently explain to children how their actions affect others. This does not help children understand the impact of their behaviour. n Staff use daily routines to teach children about health and hygiene. Children know to wash their hands before eating and after toileting and are provided with healthy, home-cooked meals. In addition, staff plan activities to help children learn how to keep themselves healthy. For example, staff provide a hand washing activity where children wash the painted 'germs' off the gloves. n Staff support children with SEND consistently. Those responsible for SEND are on

p.2

need to do better?

hand to guide staff and help children. Staff work together with parents and the relevant professionals to ensure that support is provided in a timely manner. Children who require more support have targeted support plans in place. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents are happy with the nursery and comment on the 'positive relationships' that their children have with the staff. Staff share children's progress and current learning targets with parents through daily discussions and information shared on the app. This helps to provide continuity of care for children. n Leaders encourage staff to continually enhance their skills and knowledge. Staff undertake additional training and qualifications and discuss their professional development at formal supervision meetings. Staff are encouraged to be reflective of their own practice. They report that they are well supported by leaders and the wider team.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n support staff to develop their interactions with children to help build on developing a wider vocabulary n help staff to use consistent approaches to support children's behaviour, helping children to recognise the impact of their actions.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY547177 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10406569 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 65 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person Whales Childcare Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01536512431 Date of previous inspection 18 March 2025

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Monkey Puzzle Kettering registered in 2017 and is managed by a limited company. The nursery is located in Kettering, Northamptonshire. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. Eight hold early years qualifications at level 3 and five staff are working at level 2. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded places for children aged from nine months to four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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 and the manager carried out a joint observation of an adult-led activity. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

4 September 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6