Old Macdonald's Day Nursery

Old Macdonald's Day Nursery Darley Ash Farm, Chipperfield Road, Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 0JW

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 September 2015 8 June 2010

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Performance management is highly effective. There are multiple ways in which the manager and senior staff guide and praise the staff team. As a result, staff are incredibly happy in their work.  Staff share and exchange information with parents in a wide variety of ways. Creative methods are used to help parents to support children's learning at home. Staff have recently developed arrangements for supporting children moving on to school. This gives parents even greater involvement in working with the nursery and teachers from local schools to support children.  The expertise of staff ensures that children learn the essential skills that they need to be successful in their future learning. Teaching of phonics is lively, engaging and children are extremely eager to give the correct answers to staff's questions. This enthusiasm and determination shows children's developing readiness for starting school.

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This provision is outstanding

 The outdoor environment is enticing and offers children extensive opportunities to develop their interest in the natural world. They explore a mud kitchen and use herbs and real food when 'cooking' as they mix mud and water and make garden 'soup'.  Staff are nurturing, caring and show a genuine affection for children. In return, children show their contentment and confidence in their care as they share giggles and cuddle up close. Children are highly confident and make a smooth move between rooms as this is managed extremely well by staff.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 extend upon the excellent provision that older children enjoy regarding making independent choices about the food they eat, for the youngest children in the nursery.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the acting nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the acting nursery manager, area manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector talked with children during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The nursery provides exceptional care and education for children. Safeguarding is effective and child protection procedures are known and understood by all. The staff are vigilant and very well informed about these issues through undertaking training. There are highly robust methods for inducting new staff and confirming their suitability to work with children. Lines of responsibility are extremely clear, meaning that all staff know and understand their responsibilities. Senior staff are dynamic and forward-thinking. They communicate their high ambitions to the staff team. The acting manager is highly qualified and a strong and competent leader. She shares her very in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements with the staff team. Her tireless evaluation and reviewing of every aspect of children's learning has meant the staff team is able to sustain the very best quality teaching methods for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children learn in a vibrant and interesting environment where they are able to make multiple choices about what and where they play. Recycled and natural materials, such as foods and kitchen equipment, bring learning alive in the role-play areas. Children are inquisitive, busy and highly motivated. Older children delight in looking after the nursery's pet rabbits and learn to be responsible and caring individuals. Babies take rides in pushchairs to see the animals that live on the farm. Staff recount their adventures through reading them stories and singing songs. Staff understand children's development. They assess children accurately based upon their observations and very in-depth knowledge of their abilities. This excellent checking of children's development, along with highly effective teaching, supports their very rapid progress in their learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Inspiring teaching using dolls and sensitive, imaginative play supports children's understanding of their own identities and those of others. Children develop into considerate and socially aware young people because of the wide range of activities staff provide for them to learn about others. Children are patient and behave extremely well. Staff give children great freedom and control over their play, daily routine and choice of meals. However, babies do not always have the same excellent choice over what they eat as older children do. Children are confident decision makers and independent in their thinking and their self-help skills. As a result, they are ready and willing to learn and eager to embrace everything the nursery has to offer them. Effective teaching about healthy lifestyles is embedded in everyday activities.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Consistently high expectations of the well-qualified staff have a hugely beneficial impact upon the children's learning and development. The progress of all children is exceptional and parental involvement in children's learning is high. Children thrive in the nursery and are extremely happy to attend.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129381 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 854195 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 74 Number of children on roll 154 Name of provider Old Macdonald's Day Nursery Ltd Date of previous inspection 8 June 2010 Telephone number 01442 834118

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Setting details

Old MacDonald's Day Nursery was registered in 1998. The nursery employs 32 members of childcare staff. Of these, 30 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above, including the acting manager who holds Early Years Professional status and one member of staff who is a qualified teacher. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 7pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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.

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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.

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Setting details

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Setting details

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Setting details

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