Rickmansworth Nursery School

Rickmansworth Nursery School Scotsbridge Pavilion, Scots Hill, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 1HU

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 June 2015 10 May 2011

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

p.1

This provision is outstanding

 Staff start and maintain rigorous assessments of children's skills. They accurately identify and promote their starting points and next steps in development. Staff skilfully maximise children's learning through the purposeful use of resources, such as puppets and books. As a result, children develop very positive attitudes towards their learning.  Teaching is outstanding because staff astutely promote an accurate balance of adult-led and child-initiated opportunities. For example, children play with cars and line them up in parking lines. Knowledgeable staff then engage them in creating a life-like car park with traffic signs and aisle numbers. Children flourish as they learn through play.  Staff are very welcoming and display strong bonds with children and their parents. They expertly organise informative open days, flexible settling-in sessions and ongoing opportunities for children and parents to play together at the nursery. As a result,

p.1

This provision is outstanding

children are comfortable, happy and settle exceptionally well.  Staff strategically teach children to manage their own hygiene needs. Additionally, children are provided with nutritious snacks and participate in daily exercise and outdoor play. Staff plan regular activities at the tennis court, playground and fields. As a result, children are effectively introduced to healthy lifestyles.  Staff have great knowledge and robust procedures to safeguard children. They are highly qualified and experienced in child protection and, therefore, expertly monitor children's well-being and welfare. As a result, children are safe and protected.  Managers are inspirational and passionate. They maintain a very strong culture of reflective practice that involves parents, staff, outside professionals and the local authority. Consequently, all children's outcomes are highly promoted.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 continue to expand on the already effective ways to engage parents in children's learning, by obtaining even more detailed information about children's learning and interests at home, so that this continuously enhances the support they have between home and nursery.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and children at play throughout the inspection. She conducted a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector interacted with children and spoke with staff during the inspection.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including policies, a self-evaluation form, evidence of staff's suitability and the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector had a tour of both indoor and outdoor play areas.  The inspector sought parents' views through discussions on the day of the inspection and written feedback in questionnaires.

p.2

who attend. This is outstanding

Staff plan unforgettable activities and teach children skills for life. They have great expectations of children and themselves and, as a team, they ensure children have exciting learning experiences. The learning environment is expertly organised. Children explore areas, such as the cafe, office, camp site, music and post office, amongst others. These are outstandingly resourced to promote children's development and imaginative play across all areas of learning. Staff extend children's learning between the indoor and outdoor areas, expertly meeting their different learning styles. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities greatly benefit from accurate assessments and links with outside agencies. Parents receive regular updates about children's learning and progress at nursery. However, there is scope to extend their engagement even further, for example, by ensuring more detailed information about children's learning and interests at

p.3

who attend. This is outstanding

home is obtained. All children benefit from expert support and confidently master the skills needed for school.

p.3

outstanding

The key-person system is robust and partnerships with parents regarding children's care needs are exceptional. Practice is very inclusive and staff carefully organise play areas, meals and routines to suit all children. Staff have innovative strategies to promote children's personal, social and emotional development. Through group discussion and story sessions, they expertly teach children good behaviour and manners. Children sociably play with peers and adults, who praise their achievements to boost their confidence and self-esteem. Staff are very attentive and caring. As a result, children behave exceptionally well. They competently teach children how to keep safe. For example, children wear their helmets to ride bicycles. Staff astutely celebrate when it is time for children to start school. As a result, they are ready and excited to progress.

p.3

provision is outstanding

Expert managers skilfully lead a team of dedicated and knowledgeable staff members, who competently document practice and ensure the environment is safe for children. Staff participate in a thorough induction as well as supervisions and team meetings. As a result, they fully understand their roles and responsibilities under the safeguarding and welfare requirements. Staff efficiently share policies with parents and proficiently introduce them to the Early Years Foundation Stage. This directly promotes the excellent management of the nursery. Procedures to recruit staff and committee members are robust and their suitability checks are regularly reviewed. Staff have excellent opportunities for training and actively implement new ideas to continuously improve practice. Managers and staff closely track children's progress. Furthermore, they have purposeful links with children's centres, the local authority and other settings children attend. As a result, children fully benefit

p.3

provision is outstanding

from prompt and expert support to meet their needs.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 130612 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 854224 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 33 Name of provider Rickmansworth Nursery School Committee Date of previous inspection 10 May 2011 Telephone number 07933 768 144

p.4

Setting details

Rickmansworth Nursery School was registered in 1993. The nursery employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications, including two with level 3, one with an Early Years Professional status and two with Qualified Teacher Status. Sessions are Monday to Thursday from 9am to 3pm and Friday from 9am to 12 noon, term time only. The nursery supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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.4

Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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.4

Setting details

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

p.5

Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5