URN EY478099 · Inspected 2025-12-12 · Published 2026-03-02 · Inspector: Briani Morris
Munchkins Day Nursery Unique reference number (URN): EY478099 Address: Unit 4&6, Brackenholme Business Park, Brackenholme, Selby, YO8 6EL Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registered with Ofsted: 15/05/2014 Registers: EYR, CCR, VCR Registered person: Munchkins Day Nursery (Selby) Limited Inspection report: 12 December 2025 Exceptional Strong standard Expected standard Needs attention Urgent improvement Safeguarding standards met The safeguarding standards are met. This means that leaders and/or those responsible for governance and oversight fulfil their specific responsibilities and have established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed. As a result, children are made safer and feel safe. How we evaluate safeguarding When we inspect settings for safeguarding, they can have the following outcomes: Met: The setting has an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not met: The setting has not created an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not all legal requirements are met. Strong standard Expected standard Children's welfare and wellbeing Strong standard Children thrive in this nurturing and emotionally secure environment. They arrive happily and seek reassurance from familiar staff, demonstrating secure and trusting attachments. The settling-in process is robust and carefully tailored to each child and family. Leaders and practitioners work closely with parents from the outset so that transitions into the setting, and between rooms, are calm, sensitive and highly supportive of children's emotional wellbeing. Staff know children exceptionally well and respond thoughtfully to their individual needs, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who may face additional barriers to learning and/or wellbeing. Positive partnerships with parents ensure that care routines and support strategies are consistent between home and nursery, helping children to feel safe, settled and understood. Routines are calm, predictable and matched to children's age and stage of development. Babies and younger children benefit from nurturing care, feeding and sleeping routines that promote comfort and security. Older children develop healthy habits, learn how to keep themselves safe and confidently make their own positive choices. Children talk openly about their feelings and emotions. Staff support them to recognise, express and manage these, which contributes to a strong sense of belonging and emotional resilience. As a result, children are confident, relaxed and exceptionally well supported to thrive. Achievement Expected standard Children make encouraging progress from their starting points across the areas of learning. They follow daily routines and respond well to planned activities, which builds on what they already know and can do. Children communicate confidently with adults and their peers. They learn new words and and use them during play and conversation. Children ask questions, share ideas and listen attentively during stories and group times. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, disadvantaged children and those who may face additional barriers receive support that helps them take part in learning and make progress alongside their peers. Leaders and staff keep track of these children's progress and review support to make sure it is helping them move forward. Over time, children gain the confidence and early skills they need for their next stage in learning. Children show increasing independence in managing their self-care needs, such as washing hands, putting on coats and tidying resources away. They confidently make choices, follow routines and show pride in their achievements. This supports children to become resilient learners who are well prepared for the expectations of school. Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard Leaders have created a calm and positive environment where children understand what is expected of them. Routines are clear and consistent, which helps children feel secure and confident in their day. Relationships between staff and children are warm and respectful, and children respond well to the encouragement and guidance they are given. Children show positive attitudes to learning. They join in activities, listen carefully and help with tidying and setting up. Children take turns, share resources and play alongside their friends. Staff support children to manage their feelings and behaviour in ways that are appropriate to their age and stage of development, making adaptations where needed so that all children can take part. Children enjoy being part of the setting. They talk confidently about their experiences and take pride in their setting. Leaders promote the importance of regular attendance and work with families, including those who may need additional support, to help establish routines that support children's wellbeing and readiness to learn. Curriculum and teaching Expected standard Leaders make sure the curriculum is inclusive and takes account of children's different needs. This includes disadvantaged children, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who may face other barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing. Children's needs are identified early, and leaders work with parents and outside professionals when needed to agree the right support. Changes and adaptations are put in place so children can join in and learn alongside their friends. The curriculum is deliberately sequenced to promote children's emotional security, confidence and resilience, ensuring children feel safe, valued and ready to learn. Simple mathematical language and activities are introduced in the baby room and extended throughout the older age groups to promote children's knowledge and development. Most staff use very effective interactions to build on children's learning and develop their language and thinking. However, some staff do not consistently use opportunities to extend children's learning further through their interactions with the children. Leaders know this and are providing further training and coaching so that practice becomes more consistent. Inclusion Expected standard Leaders identify children's needs quickly and with care, particularly those of disadvantaged children, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who face additional barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing. Leaders and staff work closely with parents and external professionals when needed, following a clear, graduated approach to ensure that support is appropriate and responsive to children's changing needs. Leaders make informed decisions on the use of additional funding to help reduce barriers those children may face. This support helps children to take part more confidently in activities and continue to make progress over time. Practitioners receive guidance and training to help them implement agreed strategies consistently in practice. Leaders have an accurate understanding of children's progress and use relevant evidence to inform decisions about children's support. As a result, barriers to participation are reduced, and children are able to take part in routines and make progress alongside their peers. Leadership and governance Expected standard Leaders are knowledgeable and committed to providing high-quality care and education for all children. They have a clear understanding of the setting's context, strengths and priorities for development, and they take well-considered action to improve outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged children, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who may face additional barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing. Leaders place a strong emphasis on professional learning. Staff benefit from regular, relevant training and opportunities to develop their skills, which supports them to carry out their roles and responsibilities with confidence. Leaders monitor the impact of professional development and use this to inform further improvement work. Relationships within the staff team are positive and respectful. Leaders create an open and supportive culture where practitioners feel able to seek guidance and share concerns. Decisions about routines, staffing and organisation take account of staff wellbeing and workload, helping to ensure a stable and consistent environment for children. Leaders reflect on feedback and evidence from across the setting and use this to review and refine practice. Where improvement is needed, action is taken in a timely and proportionate way. This contributes to a shared ambition for children to achieve and thrive during their time in the setting. Compulsory Childcare Register requirements This setting has met the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. How we check if a provider meets the requirements of the Compulsory Childcare Register When we check if settings meet the Compulsory Childcare Register requirements, they can have the following outcomes: Met Not met Voluntary Childcare Register requirements This setting has met the requirements of the voluntary part of Childcare Register. How we check if a provider meets the requirements of the Voluntary Childcare Register When we check if settings meet the Voluntary Childcare Register requirements, they can have the following outcomes: Met Not met What it's like to be a child at this setting Children feel safe and secure in this warm and welcoming setting. They arrive happily and approach staff with confidence and ease. Relationships between staff and children are positive and reassuring, which helps children to settle quickly. Children understand the routines of the day. On arrival, they hang up their coats and bags and join their friends, choosing activities that interest them. Children explore musical instruments and spend time looking at books in the cosy reading area, where they remain calm and engaged. Children show high levels of interest and engagement in their play and explore activities with curiosity and enjoyment. Children have regular access to the outdoor environment. They play alongside their peers on the slide and use ride-on toys with increasing control and coordination. Children show kindness towards others and are supported to consider the feelings of those around them. Staff model respectful interactions. Children use manners, take turns and communicate happily with peers and adults. Staff model positive language and behaviours. They encourage children to talk about their home lives and interests, which helps children to develop a strong sense of belonging and feel part of the nursery community. Staff know children well and plan experiences to suit their individual needs, abilities and interests. Children build on what they already know and can do and show increasing confidence and independence in their play and learning. All children, particularly disadvantaged children, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who face other barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing, are supported to take part and Inspector: Briani Morris About this setting Unique reference number (URN): EY478099 Address: Unit 4&6, Brackenholme Business Park Brackenholme Selby YO8 6EL Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registration date: 15/05/2014 Registered person: Munchkins Day Nursery (Selby) Limited Register(s): EYR, CCR, VCR Operating hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 07:15 - 18:30 contribute fully. Over time, children develop secure skills that prepare them for the next stage in their education. Next steps Leaders should further strengthen the consistency of staff interactions so that all children experience high-quality support that builds on what they know and can do and extends their communication and learning. About this inspection The inspector spoke with leaders, practitioners, the special educational needs coordinator, parents and children during the inspection. 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. Local authority: North Yorkshire Facts and figures used on inspection This data was available to the inspector at the time of the inspection. This data is from 12 December 2025 Children numbers Age range of children at the time of inspection 0 to 4 Total number of places 50 Our grades explained Exceptional Practice is exceptional: of the highest standard nationally. Other settings can learn from it. Strong standard The setting reaches a strong standard. Leaders are working above the standard expected of them. Expected standard The setting is fulfilling the expected standard of education and/or care. This means they are following the standard set out in statutory and non ‑ statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them. Needs attention The expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements. Urgent improvement The setting needs to make urgent improvements to provide the expected standard of education and/or care. The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) inspects services providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people. 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. 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