Little Blue Van (Great Amwell)

Little Blue Van (Great Amwell) Parish Hall, Hillside Lane, Great Amwell, Ware, Herts, SG12 9SH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 March 2016 Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Children's communication and language development, including those who speak English as an additional language, is good. Staff fully encourage children to express themselves through activities that promote their speech and language.  Staff provide a good variety of interesting and stimulating activities, indoors and outside, that promote children's good progress in all areas of learning.  Staff establish very positive relationships with parents. An effective two-way flow of communication supports children's welfare and learning and development.  There are warm and caring relationships between children and all staff. Children demonstrate that they are well settled and secure.  The manager and his committed team show a strong focus and passionate drive for providing high quality of care and education for the children. Self-evaluation processes actively contribute to sustaining the very effective provision.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, less experienced staff do not have very high expectations of what each child can achieve, in particular the most-able children.  There are fewer opportunities to promote everyday activities where children can explore a range of cultures and religions, extending their very good understanding of the wider world.

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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

 support less experienced staff in being more responsive to the needs of the most-able children in order to maximise their progress  explore further ways of supporting children's growing understanding of family, the community and the wider world.

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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 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 number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures and they are aware of their responsibilities should they have any concerns. The manager monitors staff performance, both informally through working alongside the staff and more formally through annual appraisals. Staff are supported to attend relevant courses and gain additional qualifications to further promote effective outcomes for children. The monitoring of children's learning and development is accurate and precise so that any gaps in learning are swiftly identified and addressed. The nursery forms successful links with local schools in order to support children's future learning, including their move to school.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children flourish in this warm and welcoming nursery and they make good progress in all areas of their learning. Children demonstrate a positive approach to learning, and are supported by the cheerful interactions of the staff team caring for them. Children eagerly explore and play, displaying emerging levels of independence and self-confidence. Staff regularly observe children and effectively use these observations to plan individual next steps in their learning. Staff skilfully extend children's learning as they introduce simple mathematical concepts of shape and size. For example, during a craft activity, staff encourage children to talk about colour, texture and size. As a result, children enhance their early mathematical skills. However, there is potential for the less experienced staff to be even more responsive to the needs of the most-able children, ensuring that they make maximum progress.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are excellent role models and they interact well with children. Consequently, behaviour is good and there is an extremely calm, relaxed and friendly atmosphere at the nursery. Attentive staff play alongside the children offering gentle support and encouragement. Children share warm relationships with the approachable and friendly staff who know them well. A well established key-person system is in place to support their emotional needs. Staff develop and extend children's understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Children benefit from regular fresh air and exercise during outdoor play and are offered a range of nutritious and healthy snacks. While outdoors, staff support children to safely take risks and explore through their play, with extended learning through playful teaching.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress and are working comfortably within the range of development typical for their age. Staff promote children's independence and self-care skills effectively. For example, children independently choose their own activities from the good choice available and attend to their self-care needs. These skills mean that they are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY479685 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 983193 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 58 Name of provider Little Blue Van (GA) Limited Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07770963701

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Setting details

Little Blue Van (Great Amwell) was registered in 2014. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one at level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 8.30am until 3pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two- , three- and four-year-old children. It supports a number of children 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

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