Ladybirds Nursery

Ladybirds Nursery Birch Centre, Hill End Lane, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0RA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 1 February 2016 9 October 2013

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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

 Children make excellent progress. Staff are highly skilled and they support children to thoroughly enjoy their learning and be extremely well prepared for school.  Staff develop exceptionally strong and positive relationships with children. They sensitively and skilfully support unsettled children. This contributes significantly to the sense of belonging children have within the nursery.  Leaders and managers continually drive improvement so that all the children who attend, as well as the staff benefit from an exceptional provision. The views of children, parents and the staff team are used to build on the high quality of the nursery.  Partnerships with parents are excellent. Staff work closely with parents, providing extensive information about the nursery and how to enhance learning at home.  The leadership and management team have high expectations of their staff and what children can achieve. They have rigorous systems in place to manage their staff's

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This provision is outstanding

performance and ensure any gaps in learning or development are identified and acted upon promptly. As a result, the provision for children's learning and development is outstanding.

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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

 enhance the resources which promote differences between children, among families, communities and traditions.

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Inspection activities

 The inspectors observed staff and children both inside and outside.  An inspector carried out a joint observation with a manager.  The inspectors spoke to parents and children to gather their views.  The inspectors sampled a range of documentation including records of staff suitability, assessment records of children and a range of policies and procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Leadership and management is very effective. Regular supervision and purposeful training ensures staff practice remains outstanding. Enthusiastic and dedicated staff provide children with a safe and inspiring learning environment. Adults use precise and accurate assessment to quickly identify any gaps in learning and address these swiftly. Staff plan purposeful and well targeted activities so that each child reaches their full potential. Exceptional partnerships with other agencies makes sure valuable information is shared to achieve the best possible outcomes for every child. Staff place the highest priority on safeguarding. Rigorous procedures are followed and staff keep up-to-date with safeguarding and safety issues and how best to protect children from harm.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

There is consistently high quality teaching throughout. Staff are highly skilled. They make learning fun, purposeful and challenging for all children. Babies are supported extremely well to explore and experience different toys and mediums using their senses. Staff expertly use every interaction as an opportunity to develop children's speech, language and vocabulary. Children are keen to listen and enthusiastically put forward their ideas. For example, older children told a story with props and enjoyed acting out 'The three little pigs'. Children are confident to share their views. They are eager to find ways to solve problems. For example, children used their physical skills digging, filling vessels and piling stones while creating houses. Mathematical language and problem solving is encouraged. Children work out if items fit into a certain space and what materials they need to build structures. For older children the routine and activities are more structured. They eagerly

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

answer questions to identify letters and numbers.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

All children are independent learners who have a highly positive sense of themselves. They behave exceptionally well. Babies learn to take risks, exploring different materials or by helping to tidy up at an appropriate level. Children are engrossed in their play. They show consideration and high levels of respect for others. Children learn to negotiate with their friends to complete tasks and work as a team. Their views are an important and valued part of the range of information gathered to plan stimulating activities. Pre-school children have their own committee, learning how to communicate their views and opinions. They develop an extensive range of skills which support them as they move on to school. Parents are positive about their partnership with the nursery and continuing their children's learning at home.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children make excellent progress including those whose starting points are below expected levels. They develop a thirst for learning and are extremely confident, active and independent learners. Children develop rapidly in speech and language, mathematics, physical ability and social emotional development. They make positive relationships and learn how to keep themselves and others safe. They are exceptionally well prepared for future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY240007 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1022155 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 61 Number of children on roll 81 Name of provider Ladybirds Nursery Ltd Date of previous inspection 9 October 2013 Telephone number 01727 730783

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Setting details

Ladybirds Nursery Ltd registered in 2003 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. It is situated in the Birch Centre in the Highfield Park area of St Albans, Hertfordshire. It operates from four base rooms and there are enclosed areas available for outdoor play. The nursery employs 19 members of staff, 18 of whom work directly with children. The two owners hold degrees and Qualified Teacher Status. One also has Early Years Professional Status. 14 members of staff hold early years qualifications at level 3 and above, one holds level 2 and one is unqualified.

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Setting details

The nursery opens Monday to Friday all year round, with the exception of public holidays. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four-year-olds.

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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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