Heronsgate Nursery

Heronsgate Nursery Heronsgate Hall, Nottingham Road North, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 5DB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22 June 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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 Teaching is good. Staff have a secure knowledge of the needs of children and effectively promote their skills through play. For example, children find a bee and become very interested in it. They learn about its habitat, body, size and colours. Children develop their skills well across all areas of learning.  Children benefit from well-resourced play areas where they start their own play and participate in activities. For example, they choose to play with modelling dough. They pretend to make pizzas and bake them in ovens which are made from chairs pushed under the table. There is great support for children's imaginative play.  Children learn to lead healthy lifestyles. Staff carefully plan nutritious snacks and provide them with plenty of outdoor play, exercise and fresh air. For example, children have daily physical activities, such as hiking in the woods. Their independence is promoted extremely well as they learn to manage their personal hygiene.

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This provision is good

 Staff's behaviour management strategies are very good. Through strong links with parents and outside professionals, children are promptly supported. Children are fully involved in creating rules and understand what is right and wrong. Praise is very effectively used to boost children's confidence and they behave exceptionally well.  Risk assessments of play areas and outings are very thorough. Staff conduct daily risk checks and fully involve children in assessing their own safety and the safety of others as they play together.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The monitoring of staff practice lacks rigour and is not sharply focused to help raise the standards within the provision even higher.

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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

 strengthen systems for the monitoring of staff practice to help raise the quality of teaching further.

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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 joint evaluations of activities with the manager.  The inspector held meetings with the manager and provider and held discussions with staff. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability, qualifications and training of staff working with children.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views in written feedback.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff participate in regular child protection training. They are very confident regarding the steps to follow should a concern arise about children's or their own welfare. Staff prepare an induction for parents and share with them detailed information about policies, children's assessments, routines and educational programmes. Policies are in line with current legislation and are updated and implemented by the qualified provider, manager and staff. Reflective practice is good. Staff and parents are regularly consulted for their views and suggestions.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff securely assess and track children's progress. With parents, they identify children's starting points in learning and regularly exchange information about children's next steps in development. For example, children learn about the seaside following information from parents about their coming holiday. Staff teach children about sun protection, safe swimming and the importance of drinking plenty of water. They talk to children about the beach while playing with sand, water and shells. Children have fun playing with inflatable toys and trying on summer hats and sunglasses as they pretend to be by the sea. Staff observe children's skills and interests and promote these in interesting and challenging activities. For example, children make a pretend bus using chairs. They count how many chairs they have and set them in pairs. As they pretend to travel together, they discuss destinations and distances. Children progress well and are eager learners.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Parents and staff work in an inspiring partnership to meet children's individual needs. Initial settling-in sessions provide children and parents with excellent opportunities to bond with staff. This continues throughout children's time at nursery. For example, staff organise termly consultation events, music sessions and workshops for children and parents to participate in and enjoy together. Children have daily reading, singing and group discussion sessions, which are meticulously planned. They learn to play real musical instruments and speak foreign languages. Children celebrate festivals from around the world and involve the local community and parents in their events. They learn to be inclusive towards others and to keep the nursery tidy to avoid accidents. Children make close friends and develop very positive social values.

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Outcomes for children are good

Gaps in children's development are rapidly narrowed through play and activities. They have plenty of opportunities to learn to take turns and share as they play together. Children are very interested in creative activities. They learn to use scissors to cut resources for their artwork, which they take huge pride in and display around the nursery. Children develop language and a good vocabulary. They benefit from staff's skilled questioning and plenty of time to think about answers. Group discussions are planned well. Children talk about how they feel and what they would like to do. They are effectively prepared for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY478149 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 972176 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 16 Number of children on roll 8 Name of registered person Heronsgate Nursery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07966197660

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reference number

Heronsgate Nursery was registered in 2014. The nursery employs two members of childcare staff, both of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The registered provider holds qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday and sessions are from 9am to 1pm, during term time only. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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