Highfield Day Nursery

Highfield Day Nursery Station Road, Braughing, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG11 2PB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 August 2016 25 September 2012

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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

 The provider effectively uses the most well qualified and experienced staff to develop and strengthen the skills of other members of the team. For example, the qualified teacher oversees the effectiveness of the curriculum, the quality of teaching and children's progress in learning.  Staff have high expectations of what children can achieve. They provide challenging, precisely targeted learning experiences to ensure all children make good progress from their individual starting points.  Children love to listen to stories and take part in rhymes and songs. Staff make these fun and engaging, which helps children develop valuable skills and motivation to learn.  Children are happy, confident and secure in a homely environment in which they relate very positively to others. Staff are good role models for children's behaviour and use effective strategies to help them be respectful and understand expectations.

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This provision is good

 Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents appreciate the ways that staff help children settle in and the guidance offered about aspects of their children's development.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Babies do not have a broad range of objects, media and materials freely available to support their natural desire to explore and discover.  On occasions, staff do not reinforce children's growing awareness of best hygiene practices when serving fruit at snack time.

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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

 make better use of opportunities to reinforce children's growing awareness of best hygiene practices  extend the range of media, materials and objects available to babies to build on their natural curiosity to explore and investigate the world around them.

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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, including 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.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff receive training updates to keep their knowledge of how to recognise and respond to signs of abuse up to date. Staffing arrangements mean that there is always one designated person responsible for child protection and at least one qualified first-aider on duty at all times. The manager follows safe recruitment procedures to ensure staff are suitably vetted and equipped with the knowledge and skills to carry out their roles effectively. The small team works very closely together and staff are well supported by the manager through regular supervision meetings. Staff continually reflect on and evaluate their practice to adapt it to the specific needs of the children attending.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of teaching is consistently strong. The qualified teacher skilfully models effective teaching strategies to other team members and monitors their teaching practice. Staff carefully phrase questions to build on what children already know and enjoy. They are adept at capturing children's attention and interest when leading activities and supporting children's play. Older children are motivated by well planned, focused activities that help develop listening skills and interest in numbers, letters, sounds and early writing. Babies and younger children enjoy relaxed routines and exploring interactive toys and some sensory resources. Staff have a good knowledge of their key children and use their frequent observations and assessments to plan precise next steps in learning. Evidence of children's learning and development is frequently shared with, and easily accessible to, parents at any time.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff gather valuable information from parents initially to find out about children's personal routines and needs. Children separate from their parents and carers with relative ease and quickly become confident and independent. They are encouraged to feed themselves and regularly practise dressing and undressing in preparation for school. The nursery has developed effective links with teachers at the schools that children move on to. They work well together to share information and prepare children emotionally for change. The nursery promotes children's good health through providing children with regular exercise and fresh air. Children benefit from eating nutritious, freshly prepared meals and snacks that safely take account of any dietary needs and preferences.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children work comfortably within the range of development typical for their age, with some excelling in literacy in particular. Children leave the setting with positive attitudes and an enthusiasm for learning. Children who have special educational needs, those who speak English as an additional language and those for whom the setting receives additional funding receive targeted support from nursery staff and external professionals. This supports their good progress and helps to close any achievement gaps.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY273312 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1059662 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Christine Michelle Raniere

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 25 September 2012 Telephone number 01920 822 002

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reference number

Highfield Day Nursery was registered in 2003. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, 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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