Monkey Puzzle Greenford

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

All children are able to benefit from a warm, caring, nurturing environment in this provision. Staff form close bonds with all the children and support them to also form close bonds with their peers. Staff take care to find out about the children's interests and home routines.

They use this information to ensure children settle comfortably in the setting.Children's interests and areas of development are used to plan the environment. Children are offered a range of interesting and creative activities.

For example, babies take part in clingfilm painting and enjoy seeing the effect the paint has and the patterns it... makes. There is a strong focus in each room on building children's independence, communication and physical development, with a curriculum that is child-led and thoroughly planned. Staff expertly read children's cues and allow them the space to have a go at something themselves before offering support.

Staff enable children to take the lead in their play. During a cooking activity, children are encouraged to add the ingredients to the mixture, and staff ask them to make predictions, such as 'Is this going to be hard or soft?' Children fondly reflect on other cooking they have done and share their memories happily with staff and their peers.Children are taught about the different emotions through dedicated group circle times and the book 'The Colour Monster', which is used well to support children's understanding.

A number of children at the nursery speak an additional language and this is excellently supported through a range of books and resources. Staff place great importance on celebrating different languages and cultures. Children learn about different celebrations and reflect on these with pride.

They enjoy sharing what they have done, for example when talking about celebrating the festival of Holi.

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

Staff constantly praise children's achievements. This contributes to the high levels of confidence and independence children display.

Children are secure and happy and they have a thorough understanding of the daily routine and what is going to happen now and next. For example, when children are told it is time to go outside, they go and put their own coats on.All children make excellent progress given their starting points.

They develop many important skills that help prepare them for their future learning. They are exceptionally well motivated and eager to learn. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported.

The nursery has strong links with outside agencies to ensure that the children are given the correct support in the setting and at home. Staff undertake training, such as in the use of Makaton, and use this to support children's communication.During mealtimes, children are taught about making healthy choices.

They are able to cut up their own snack and are reminded about safety when using a knife. Staff introduce different language, such as 'sweet' and 'sour'. They encourage children to be mindful about what they are eating, asking them if they are enjoying their food.

Children are well supported with their self-care and understand the importance of washing their hands. Children display excellent behaviour and wonderful manners, saying 'please' and 'thank you' with no prompting. They show strong bonds with each other as they help each other during activities.

For example, one child gives the others a cutting board each to enable them to take part in the activity.Relationships with parents are exceptionally strong and parents feel that the staff really value their children. Staff place huge importance on knowing their key children and this is evident in the bonds they have.

Parents are able to share their own experiences with the setting, and the staff use this to provide different activities and learning opportunities. For example, children share photos of places they have been to on holiday.The managers are highly qualified and motivational leaders who provide strong support to their wonderful staff team.

Staff are provided with opportunities to progress within the company as well as to take part in targeted training and support to further expand their early years knowledge. There is a clear vision for the nursery to further encourage more people into the early years sector and support them through the apprenticeship programme.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Children's safety and well-being are given the utmost priority. Staff attend regular training and have extensive knowledge of safeguarding. They demonstrate a thorough understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and how to report these to the relevant authorities.

The manager carries out robust background checks on staff to ensure that they are suitable for their roles. Managers constantly ask staff questions about child protection to test their knowledge. Risk assessments are thorough and are revisited daily to help keep children safe.