Brock House Nursery School

Brock House Nursery School 6 Lemsford Road, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3PB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 January 2018 2 January 2013

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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

 Senior staff monitor children's progress closely to identify those who are slower to learn key skills. Staff work effectively with other professionals to help children achieve well.  Children's communication and language development are promoted well. Staff skilfully involve children in lively conversations and encourage them to express their ideas and opinions.  Staff help children to learn why healthy eating is important. They introduce children to varied fruits and vegetables and provide them with nutritious and balanced meals.  Children build good bonds with their key person and the other staff who care for them. Relationships between children and staff in all areas of the nursery are warm and positive.  Staff have positive partnerships with parents. Staff keep parents well informed about their children's achievements. Staff encourage parents to share in their children's learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always have high enough expectations of what children can achieve. The most able children do not make as much progress as they are capable of.  Senior staff do not always make the most of all opportunities to support less- experienced staff to raise their confidence and consolidate their teaching 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

 support staff to increase their expectations of what children are capable of, including those who are most able  enhance the support given to less-experienced staff to help them to develop their confidence and raise the quality of teaching still further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the children and staff during their activities to evaluate the quality of teaching. She spoke to staff and children at convenient times.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the principal.  The inspector held meetings with the principal and the deputy and looked at the self- evaluation plan.  Documentation was checked, including evidence of staff's suitability and training, children's records, accident reports and risk assessments.  The inspector spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection. She took account of the views of others through written testimonials and survey forms.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a good understanding of the possible signs of child abuse. They attend regular training to help them implement safeguarding procedures and protect children from harm. Staff are conscientious about children's safety. They deploy themselves well and supervise children's play effectively. Visitors to the nursery have their identity checked. Accident and incident records are reviewed, so any potential hazards can be identified and minimised. There is an ongoing programme of redecoration and repair to the nursery, helping to ensure children have a safe and pleasing learning environment. Senior staff ask the views of staff, parents and children to help them plan for improvements and raise outcomes for children. Staff have good opportunities for improving their qualifications.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children's individual interests are catered for well. They independently access plentiful resources and enjoy varied play experiences that cover all the areas of learning. Staff evaluate the activities and involve children in planning the programme of learning. Children and staff interact very well together. Staff skilfully engage with children during the activities and ask questions to extend their learning. They introduce new ideas confidently. For example, they have begun to teach young children simple sign language to enhance their developing communication skills. Older children are encouraged to count and identify size, colour and shape. Younger children sing counting songs and play with mathematical resources, such as stacking cups.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children have daily opportunities to be active in the fresh air. They play with wheeled toys and join in energetic ring games with staff. Staff take them for walks to explore their local community. Good links with local schools help children to prepare for the next stage of their education with confidence. Staff work closely with parents when settling children into the nursery. They gather comprehensive information about children's individual needs and preferences. Babies' home routines are maintained to help them to feel safe and comfortable.

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Outcomes for children are good

Older children enthusiastically join in story sessions. They join in and recall how the stories start and finish. Children play cooperatively together and understand the importance of sharing their toys and being kind to one another. Children take part in mark-making activities, such as forming lines with sticks in sand. Younger children develop their independence well as, for example, they put on their indoor shoes. All children, including those receiving extra funding, make good progress in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY234600 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1064344 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 63 Number of children on roll 60 Name of registered person Brock House Nursery School Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 2 January 2013 Telephone number 01727 830469 Admin 01727867500 Nursery

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reference number

Brock House Nursery School registered in 1992. The nursery school employs 20 members of childcare staff. Of these, 13 hold relevant qualifications from level 2 to level 6. One member of staff has early years professional status. Three members of staff are on apprenticeship schemes. The nursery school opens from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.45pm. 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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