Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bishops Stortford St Michaels Mead

Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bishops Stortford St Michaels Mead Turners Crescent, St Michaels Mead, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 4FZ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 April 2017 18 February 2014

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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 and their families swiftly form warm bonds with their key person. Babies snuggle up to their key person as they become tired. All children enjoy sitting close to their key person as they eagerly participate in interactive stories that are read to them.  Staff develop strong relationships with parents. There is an effective two-way flow of information to aid children's care and learning. The newly introduced home learning books successfully inform staff about children's achievements at home.  The well qualified and dedicated staff continuously evaluate and reflect on their practice. A detailed action plan is in place to help continuously drive forward further identified improvements.  Staff promote children's language development very well. They model effective listening skills and introduce children to new words that relate to their play. For example, staff use a variety of words to describe children's actions as they jump to pop bubbles.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children are not provided with excellent opportunities to independently select their chosen toys and equipment in the indoor and outdoor environment.  Staff do not always encourage children to develop a sense of responsibility in helping to provide a stimulating learning environment. Inspection report: Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bishops Stortford St Michaels Mead, 10 April 2017 2 of 5

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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

 extend the availability of toys and equipment in both the indoor and outdoor environment to enable children to make independent choices in their play and learning  encourage children to demonstrate an increased sense of responsibility in helping staff to provide a highly inviting environment.

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Inspection activities

 The inspectors observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspectors spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspectors completed joint observations with the acting manager.  The inspectors held a meeting with the acting manager, regional manager and curriculum manager. They looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspectors spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspector

Lorraine Pike Inspection report: Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bishops Stortford St Michaels Mead, 10 April 2017 3 of 5

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff are aware of the procedures for identifying and responding to any concerns about a child's welfare. The acting manager regularly monitors staff practice through frequent supervision meetings. Staff attend a wide range of training courses to continually enhance the quality of their teaching. Recent training has increased staff's knowledge of introducing children to a wider range of creative activities. The acting manager thoroughly monitors children's progress, including specific groups of children, taking swift action to address any emerging gaps in children's learning. Close partnerships with other professionals effectively help staff support children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

All children are motivated and inquisitive learners in this welcoming nursery. Babies thoroughly enjoy exploring the sensation of natural objects using their hands and mouths under the close supervision of staff. Younger children develop good control and coordination of small tools as they use these to search for toy animals hidden underneath sand. They use their vivid imaginations as they pretend to cook play food for their friends and staff. Older children are confident as they speak out loud during group time. They are eager to share their experiences of the traditional way they celebrate Easter with their family. Children who speak English as an additional language are well supported by staff. For example, they use key words in children's home language in their play.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well. They happily share toys and create large pieces of artwork together. Children develop a good awareness of how to keep themselves safe. For example, staff explain to them that they are sweeping up the sand, 'So that it is not slippery on the floor'. Effective arrangements are in place to help children make a smooth move between rooms when the time comes. Older children develop good physical skills as they practise throwing balls through raised hoops. Babies develop strength in their legs in preparation for walking as they hold onto walkers and confidently push these around the outdoor area.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress in relation to their starting points, including those who speak English as an additional language and children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Older children independently manage their own personal needs. They are beginning to link letters to sounds, write their own name and frequently use mathematical language as they play. These are just some of the skills that help to prepare children for their move to school. Inspection report: Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bishops Stortford St Michaels Mead, 10 April 2017 4 of 5

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Setting details

Unique reference number 125064 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1087605 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 80 Number of children on roll 127 Name of registered person Busy Bees Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 18 February 2014 Telephone number 01279 755522

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reference number

Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bishops Stortford St Michaels Mead was registered in 1999 and is managed by Busy Bees Day Nurseries Limited. It employs 20 members of childcare staff. Of these, 15 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday all year round, from 7.30am until 6.30pm. It 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. Inspection report: Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bishops Stortford St Michaels Mead, 10 April 2017 5 of 5

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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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Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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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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