Be Me Day Nursery Ridgmont Road

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery 33a Ridgmont Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3AH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 October 2015 8 May 2012

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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

 Staff provide children with an extensive range of outings and experiences that successfully help them understand about the world. For example, children visit the local Jewish synagogue, the library and the train station.  Children have numerous opportunities that support them in gaining an excellent understanding of living creatures. For example, they experience the life cycle of butterflies and chicks and learn about reptiles. They also help care for the nursery rabbit and fish. They enjoy visits from a travelling farm and insect company.  The nursery benefits from an extremely motivated management team, who are inspirational and supportive to staff. They inspire the staff to achieve the highest standards in learning experiences for the children.  Children learn about differences between each other through excellent spontaneous activities, allowing their confidence to grow through sharing their home life

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This provision is outstanding

experiences. Children find this very reassuring and it supports them in embracing change. For example, the birth of a new sibling is an opportunity for children to bring in pictures, which are displayed on the family board.  Children receive an exceptional range of extra activities each week, which builds on their remarkable learning experiences. For example, children excitedly anticipate their weekly sessions of puppet-inspired singing sessions, drama story times, Spanish lessons and super-sports. Children learn how stories are structured and gain a greater understanding of emotions.  The nursery has built excellent partnerships with other settings and external agencies. This supports children in their move on to school.

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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

 exploit the already excellent opportunities for parents to be involved in their children's learning and gain an even greater understanding of how their children learn.

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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 nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and the provider. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's policies, the children's learning journeys and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a selection of parents and children during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The management team has a consistent drive to maintain excellent standards and improvements through their continuous self-reflection and evaluation. Monitoring includes the views of parents, staff and children. The arrangements for safeguarding are highly effective. Staff are very knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms that raise concerns for a child's safety and well-being. There is a robust vetting, recruitment and induction process that ensures children's safety and welfare are fully promoted. Children's gaps in learning are rapidly identified and, through targeted support, they make exceptional progress in relation to their starting points. The manager and provider use excellent procedures for monitoring and supervision to support well-qualified staff to further enhance their practice. This successfully influences the high quality of teaching delivered.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Teaching methods are highly skilled and creative. Staff are very responsive to children's needs and adapt activities accordingly to follow their interests. Planning for children's learning experiences is meticulously based on precise observations and assessments, along with their tracked progress. The nursery has an exceptional focus on supporting language and communication. Children have focused group times, which strengthen their learning and understanding of letters and sounds. Children have consistent opportunities to practise making marks and many have learnt to write their own name. Parents are successfully involved in their children's learning. The management team is continuing to extend parents' knowledge and understanding of how their children learn and develop through in-depth training sessions. Parents further their understanding of managing their children's behaviour and the different stages of learning and development. Staff have an

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

exceptional knowledge of how children learn and develop, enabling sharply focused and challenging experiences to be planned for them.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The nursery provides an extensive, stimulating range of activities and learning experiences that are challenging and extremely interesting for children. All children, including the very young, display very high levels of concentration and remain focused on activities for extended periods of time. Children enjoy, and actively take part in, singing sessions with props. Children rapidly acquire independence, self-esteem and confidence skills. All children independently choose activities. Behaviour is exemplary and staff provide clear guidance that all children understand. New children settle very quickly as a result of the individual attention they receive from staff. Staff continually take steps in supporting children to feel safe and secure. Staff make excellent use of daily opportunities, such as snack and mealtimes, to help children understand about keeping their bodies healthy.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children enthusiastically participate in activities and become extremely motivated and eager to learn. All children are making exceptional progress in their learning. Children rapidly develop the key skills needed for the next stage in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY434599 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 850234 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 87 Number of children on roll 88 Name of provider MGriffiths Limited Date of previous inspection 8 May 2012 Telephone number 01727 568 289

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Setting details

The Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery was registered in 2011. The nursery employs 34 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, including three with Qualified Teacher Status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. The nursery supports disabled children, those who have special educational needs and those who speak English as an additional language.

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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

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

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