Munchkins Kindergarten Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are busy, engaged and happy in this welcoming, inclusive kindergarten. Staff instinctively know each individual child's needs. They recognise when babies are tired and when toddlers may need to go outdoors to explore in the fresh air. Children enjoy the changes staff make to activities that bring a sense of wonder and exploration. For example, when digging in the vegetable patch, the discovery of a worm delights children and renews their focus. They take turns to hold it. Children share their ideas with staff about the animal habitat they are creating. They answer questions from staff about what their animals might eat, they say, 'giraffes eat leaves'. Staff challenge children further as the habitat and animals grow by asking, 'what might a penguin eat'.

Toddlers enjoy exploring the sensory experiences staff have created for them, following on from seeing butterflies outside. Children use their senses to touch and taste cereals, while they discover hidden pretend butterflies. Babies confidently articulate what they know and have remembered. For example, when painting they clearly recall making handprints and re-create this. Children behave well. This is because staff have clear expectations of appropriate behaviour, for example when children move from the pre-school room to the outdoor play space. Children listen to adults who guide them to hold the 'walking loops' as they move alongside the road.

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

• The kindergarten is an extremely inclusive setting, and staff ensure they include all children in the activities and experiences. The owner has a clear vision, which she communicates to her staff team. The team work together to deliver good quality experiences across all areas of learning. However, there is scope to make even better use of one-to-one meetings to raise the quality of teaching to a consistently high level.
• Staff place a high priority on encouraging children of all ages to develop their physical skills, both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, there is ample room to run around and climb, along with places to dig and explore. Indoors, staff support babies to explore their environment. Staff encourage them to stand against fixed furniture and cruise around the room.
• Staff have a sequenced curriculum which focuses on what children need to learn next. There is a strong emphasis on developing children's speech and language skills. Since the COVID-19 pandemic and with a high number of children who speak English as an additional language, staff have placed a focus on this area of learning. Staff in the baby room repeat and emphasise single words. Staff working with toddlers use a running commentary when playing alongside children. Staff in the pre-school room ask valuable questions that allow children time to think and respond.
• Staff encourage children to think about each other's feelings. One example of this is when babies want to interact with their peers, but their peers do not like this. Staff gently explain, that while their attention is kind, they must appreciate their friends are sometimes not happy with it. This early support encourages even the youngest children to consider their actions.
• Children develop a love of book and stories. They sit down to listen to stories with a group. Staff animatedly read books, the story becomes interactive as children recreate animal noises. Furthermore, children access books to look at independently during free play.
• Overall, staff encourage children to gain independence skills as they make choices about their play. However, staff can be overly helpful. For example, they do not support toddlers and pre-school children to attempt to put on their own outdoor clothing. This means that children are not being as independent as they could be.
• Staff are particularly responsive to children's individual emotional needs. Baby room staff are on hand for cuddles when needed. Toddlers confidently engage visitors in their play. Pre-school children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) happily go for cuddles with staff, who are attentive to their needs and know instinctively what the children need.
• Staff recognise that children who have lived through the COVID-19 pandemic have had reduced experiences to interact with other children. Therefore, there are good opportunities within the kindergarten sessions to encourage peer-on-peer relationships.
• The support in place for children with SEND and those receiving additional funding is good. Parents and carers report that staff go above and beyond to support them and their children. The owner and management team work closely with other professionals and swiftly put plans in place to ensure that children and their families have the help that they need.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• target staff one-to-one meetings to raise the quality of education to the highest level
• embed independence skills in daily activities, so children develop the skills they need for the future.