Mulberry Bush Nursery Dumers Lane

Inspection of Mulberry Bush Nursery Dumers Lane Bury South Business Park, Dumers Lane, Radcliffe, Manchester M26 2AD

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 Outstanding

p.1

The provision is good

Children flourish in this setting and are cared for by a well-organised staff team who understand their roles and responsibilities. They are happy and secure, with staff providing responsive and nurturing care, cuddling younger children when needed and following their individual routines. Transitions are managed effectively, helping children settle confidently. Staff act as calm and consistent role models, supporting children to play cooperatively, take turns on outdoor equipment and build together with soft bricks. Younger children are encouraged to use their manners and are supported to manage their emotions and show kindness to others. As a result, children behave well and have a real sense of belonging.

p.2

The provision is good

Leaders create an ambitious and broad curriculum that has a strong focus on children's emotional well-being. Staff carry out regular progress checks to identify next steps in learning. Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive experiences tailored to their needs. Staff work closely with external professionals where required. As a result, children make very good progress and are well prepared for their next stage of learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders and staff support transitions very well. Children and parents are helped to understand and adjust to changes, settling into new routines. The transition to primary school is particularly well managed. Experienced staff review each child's progress and share the information needed with children's new teachers to ensure a smooth move. This approach is especially important for children with SEND to ensure that any necessary adjustments are in place so they can continue to make good progress in their learning journey. n Physical development is a strength of the setting. Younger children show resilience as they successfully feed themselves during mealtimes using spoons. This supports their developing hand-eye coordination in preparation for early writing. Both indoor and outdoor provision supports safe risk-taking and large muscle development. For example, older children are supported to navigate

p.2

need to do better?

climbing and soft play equipment, promoting independence. Consequently, all children develop skills to prepare them for their next stage in learning. n Leaders place a strong emphasis on staff well-being. They ensure an open-door policy that encourages feedback on the running of the provision. Staff are supported through regular supervision, which monitors both their welfare and the welfare of children. These sessions are also used to identify training needs and support ongoing professional development. Newly recruited staff receive thorough induction, ensuring they are well prepared and confident in their roles. n Parents are positive about communication and feel well supported during transitions. Staff provide support on topics such as weaning. Parents value the

p.2

need to do better?

29 September 2025 progress children make, especially in speech and independence. Leaders and staff provide clear information about learning goals and curriculum, helping parents understand how children are supported to make progress. n The curriculum for communication and language is strong. Older children confidently express feelings, using words like 'frustrated'. In addition, staff narrate younger children's actions. For example, as babies explore musical instruments, staff introduce new words such as 'shake, shake'. This supports their early language development. However, on occasions, the use of children's dummies to support emotional needs sometimes overrides the opportunities they have to practise their communication and language skills. n The quality of teaching at this setting is very good and sometimes excellent. Staff interact well with children, especially during free play and small-group

p.2

need to do better?

activities, to support learning. However, during larger group sessions, such as story time or focused tasks, some staff do not always adapt their teaching to ensure all children remain fully engaged. n Children develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles. Staff help them understand healthy foods, such as those high in fibre, and how these benefit their body. Furthermore, routines are in place for handwashing before and after meals. However, children are not always helped to understand why good hygiene is important. For example, they are not consistently reminded to cover their mouths when coughing to reduce the spread of germs.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n support staff to monitor the use of dummies to promote children's developing speech n build on already good teaching to ensure adult-led activities consistently support all children to remain fully engaged and benefit from the intended learning n strengthen hygiene practices to help children understand the importance of good hygiene and develop consistently positive habits.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY491044 Local authority Bury Inspection number 10408377 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 122 Number of children on roll 175 Name of registered person Mulberry Bush Nursery Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01616723338 Date of previous inspection 31 January 2020

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Mulberry Bush Nursery Dumers Lane registered in 2015. It is situated in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester. The nursery employs 51 members of childcare staff, 41 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 6pm, all year round. The nursery provides government-funded early years education for all eligible children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The managers and the inspectors completed a learning walk across all areas of the setting to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors. n The inspectors carried out joint observations of group activities with the managers. n Staff spoke to the inspectors during the inspection. n Children spoke to inspectors during the inspection. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspectors. n The senior manager showed the inspectors documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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

29 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