Head Start Day Nursery

Head Start Day Nursery Hockliffe Road, LEIGHTON BUZZARD, Bedfordshire, LU7 9NX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 November 2017 27 August 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

 The provider is a well-qualified and inspirational leader. Her high motivation helps to bring about ongoing improvement. The manager carries out extensive evaluation to review the quality of the nursery. Together, they share their vision and relentless pursuit of excellence with the staff team.  Staff are enthusiastic about their work. They have a wealth of experience between them and introduce new ideas and ways of working after attending training.  Staff use simple, yet effective ways of using information about children. Feedback from parents, photographs and structured observations enables staff to complete comprehensive assessments. These precisely identify children's next steps in learning and support their excellent progress.  Staff extensively read and tell children stories. They use lively actions and repetitive text to draw children in. Children stare intently at the staff and their books, whispering

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This provision is outstanding

and shouting as they immerse themselves in the story.  In the garden, children work together to build obstacle courses. They balance on wobbly planks and leap on stepping stones as they negotiate crossing from one side of the garden to another without touching the ground.  Children receive high standards of care. Staff are sensitive to swiftly meeting children's personal needs. They ensure children are well fed, rested and comfortable so they are ready and willing to learn.

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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 review the pace and timings of adult-led activities for the older children to sustain their excellent attention and interest.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's learning activities in each room and in the garden and assessed the impact this has on children's development.  The inspector spoke to staff and children in each room. She held meetings with the manager, provider and area manager.  The inspector looked at required documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff who work with children.  The inspector invited parents to talk about their children's experience at the nursery. She looked at written feedback left by parents and took account of their views.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The management team is proactive in reviewing and improving procedures for keeping children safe. All staff are clear on their individual responsibilities and have an extensive awareness of child protection practice. The nursery works collaboratively with the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Regular training keeps staff fully aware of local and national issues which may affect children's welfare. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. There is robust induction and monitoring for staff. Clear organisation and highly effective supervision meetings help to successfully motivate staff. Relationships with families are extremely strong. The nursery staff use multiple ways to exchange information for children's benefit.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Excellent activities engross babies who are inquisitive and curious. Staff drop a ball into a tube and ask the babies where it has gone. A group of babies excitedly gather around, looking in the top of the tube before lifting it to reveal the ball underneath. They squeal with delight as the ball rolls out and then copy the member of staff, hiding the ball and lifting the tube again. Staff greet toddlers by singing songs to say hello to each of them. They use songs and rhymes as a powerful way to help children to understand about changes in the routine, to learn familiar words and to connect with the changing seasons and time of the year. Staff are currently reviewing adult-led activities for pre-school children to sustain their high levels of attention and exceptional interest in activities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children are unafraid to try new things, such as tentatively testing out a wobbly bridge they have constructed in the garden. They closely examine new food before quickly trying it. Children are confident and build high levels of resilience and perseverance. They are polite and courteous towards each other. Children show genuine concern when others are upset, and enquire as to how each other is feeling as they play and eat together. Staff give children ample opportunities to make choices and learn about being active and healthy. Children flourish in their emotional well-being.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make extensive progress in their communication and language skills. Their exuberance and enthusiasm are clearly evident as they immerse themselves in their learning. Babies show high levels of contentment when they separate from parents and readily greet their key person with a smile and open arms. Older children are confident talkers and writers. Their impressive ability to figure out simple mathematical problems is clear, as they take great effort to reorder a number line from one to 10. Children develop essential skills in readiness for starting school and for sustaining positive dispositions towards their lifelong learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY365864 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 1065083 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 63 Number of children on roll 147 Name of registered person Head Start Day Nursery

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 27 August 2013 Telephone number 01525 852020

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reference number

Head Start Day Nursery registered in 2007. The nursery employs 24 members of childcare staff. Of these, 20 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including the owner who holds early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. 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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