Muddy Puddles Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is inadequate

Leaders do not have an adequate understanding of the requirements of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage'. This impacts their ability to recognise gaps in staff's knowledge and practice.

Some of the leaders and some staff lack understanding of the procedures to follow to report concerns about children's welfare. This does not assure children's safety.Leaders explain what they want children to learn over time.

However, they do not implement an effective curriculum. Neither leaders nor staff know how to sequence children's learning to enable them to practise and rehearse necessary skills. ...For example, staff do not always help toddlers to build the skills needed to share and take turns with their peers.

In the pre-school, while some staff have stronger practice, other staff do not understand how to engage all children effectively.While some staff show awareness about how to support children's attention, listening and speaking skills, other staff do not know how to do this. This results in children speaking over each other and staff.

Some children receive little interaction from staff. Consequently, much of the learning that takes place is incidental. This does not help children to develop positive attitudes to their learning.

Nevertheless, staff welcome children when they arrive. Some staff ensure that children know what they are going to do next, which helps them to feel settled and secure. Consequently, children come in happily and settle with ease.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) does not know the correct reporting procedures to follow should staff inform them of matters concerning children's welfare. Weaknesses in leaders' and staff's knowledge of safeguarding procedures compromise children's welfare.Staff supervision systems are not embedded or effective.

The provider has links with the local authority for an external oversight to support and reflect on the nursery provision. However, the provider does not place enough emphasis on staff training, coaching and development to help them plan and implement the curriculum effectively to ensure that all children make the best possible progress.When children want the same toys, some staff do not use effective strategies to support younger children's emerging awareness of how to share and take turns.

At other times, when children demonstrate unacceptable behaviour, staff ignore it. This does not help children to learn right from wrong.Leaders do not demonstrate an understanding of how to implement an effective key-person system.

Apprentices are deployed to manage children's personal intimate routines, such as nappy changing. This does not support children to continue to build relationships with their key person during routine activities.Staff are not well deployed to make sure all children are purposefully engaged in either self-chosen or adult-supported play and learning experiences.

Staff are kind towards children and know what they like to play with. However, they do not always enhance children's learning, and there is often a lack of purpose to the day. At times, children are over-directed, while at other times, there is a lack of engagement.

This results in some children wandering around and flitting between activities. This does not support children's preparation for their next stage in learning.Leaders do not take all reasonable steps to minimise the risk of cross-contamination.

They do not ensure that toilets are adequately equipped with facilities, such as toilet roll holders. As a result, some hygiene practices are compromised.In pre-school, some children learn to play cooperatively and develop social skills that support their interactions with their peers.

They join in with group activities, such as 'animal yoga'. They develop their attention and listening skills, such as when staff encourage them to make the sounds of animals. Children stretch and bend their bodies.

This contributes to their physical well-being.Parents state that their children look forward to attending the nursery. They receive information from the nursery about how their children spend their time at nursery, including the activities in which they participate.

Parents say that staff encourage them to read to their children and support this by sending story books home for them to share together.Pre-school children build on their independence during mealtimes. They help to make healthy sandwiches in preparation for their lunch and help themselves to fresh drinking water.

This contributes to children's growing awareness of healthy practices.Leaders know how to make referrals to external agencies to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff practise strategies suggested by professionals and use these to support children on their developmental journey.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and Childcare Register the provider must: Due date ensure that the DSL and all staff understand the correct reporting procedures to follow in line with the local safeguarding partnership protocols 01/03/2024 improve staff supervision to support them to improve their knowledge and practice, including knowing how to sequence children's learning, manage children's behaviour appropriately and promote children's communication skills 01/03/2024 ensure that staff deployment is effective, to meet the needs of individual children 01/03/2024 improve opportunities for children to build relationships with their key persons 01/03/2024 ensure that you take all reasonable steps to minimise the risk of cross-contamination, particularly with regards to the facilities in the toilet 01/03/2024 ensure curriculum planning and implementation are effective and ambitious so that children gain the knowledge and skills to become successful learners.

01/03/2024