First Place Nursery

First Place Nursery 1 Falconer Road, BUSHEY, WD23 3AQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31 May 2017 7 December 2016

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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

 Staff make accurate and consistent assessments of children's progress and take into account what parents know about their children. Staff actively involve parents in continuing children's learning at home.  Children make good progress in their learning. They enjoy learning about nature, for example, as they dig for mini-beasts and grow vegetables in the garden.  Children form strong emotional bonds with staff. They are confident and happy.  Children learn to value and respect each other. They develop a strong understanding of what is acceptable behaviour. Children know the rules of the nursery and show good social skills.  Staff form effective partnerships with other early years professionals. They work closely together to provide consistent care and support for children.  The manager and staff monitor children's progress carefully. They reflect on their practice effectively and make adjustments that help to narrow the gaps in children's

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, staff do not make the best use of children's listening skills in large-group activities to fully encourage them to stay engaged.  Staff do not always maximise opportunities for older children to practise and fully develop their physical skills.

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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

 continue to develop the delivery of large-group activities to encourage children to stay more engaged  build on opportunities that further challenge older children and extend their emerging physical skills in climbing and balancing.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's activities in all rooms and in the outdoor areas.  The inspector sampled children's learning records and other relevant documentation, including the self-evaluation form.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and operations director.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the room manager in the Luna room.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff keep their safeguarding training up to date. They have a good understanding of how to deal with any concerns for children. The manager supports her staff effectively. For example, she creates individual action plans for each staff member. The consistent staff observations help her to seek appropriate training, in order to help improve practice and outcomes for children. The staff have strong and effective relationships with other professionals, such as local schools. This helps to provide a positive impact on children's learning at home as well as in the nursery. The manager values the opinions of staff, parents and children, and actively seeks their views when evaluating the provision.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff tailor activities to reflect children's current interests and meet individual learning needs. Staff make good use of opportunities to introduce new ideas and learning during activities. For example, staff ask questions and repeat words to help children develop a good understanding of measuring as they make cheesecakes. Staff give children a strong sense of achievement, for example, when they celebrate what they have done. Children develop good mathematical skills, such as counting the number of bugs they find outdoors. Staff support children to explore the wider world. For example, they help children to examine how bugs move and compare their size and shape as they investigate them using magnifying glasses. Staff reinforce children's awareness of letter sounds well and help them to develop strong early reading skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff create an inviting, friendly and safe atmosphere where children feel at ease. Staff are caring, kind and approachable. Babies readily cuddle up with staff for reassurance when they need it. Children show that they feel secure and settled. Staff follow robust routines to ensure they help children develop a good awareness of healthy lifestyles. For example, children wash their hands after all messy activities, before mealtimes and after going to the toilet. Staff also support children's health well by providing nutritious snacks and plenty of exercise.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children develop well in the key skills they need to be thoroughly prepared for school. They have built strong friendships and play cooperatively. Children are motivated learners. Older children confidently write their own names, and babies explore their environment as they paint using large brushes and paint pots. Children develop good independence through managing tasks for themselves. They have plenty of opportunities to learn good social skills, such as sharing toys with their friends.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY345571 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1080417 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 - 4 Total number of places 91 Number of children on roll 105 Name of registered person First Place Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 7 December 2016 Telephone number 02084219121

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reference number

First Place Nursery registered in 2007 and is located in Bushey, Hertfordshire. The nursery employs 30 members of childcare staff. Of these, 21 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including one with early years professional status and one who has qualified teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 8am until 6pm, all year round, apart from two weeks at Christmas. It receives funding to provide free 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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