Toddlers-In Nursery School Ltd

Toddlers-In Nursery School Ltd St. Michaels Memorial Hall, Branch Road, ST. ALBANS, Hertfordshire, AL3 4SS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 January 2018 1 October 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

 Children are very happy and enjoy their time at the nursery. The staff team provides a relaxed and innovative learning environment where every child is valued and respected. Children form close relationships with their key person and other staff.  The well-qualified staff understand how children learn. They plan motivating activities that children enjoy. Children are enthusiastic learners and they make good progress during their time at the nursery.  Staff use a variety of techniques to help develop children's communication and language skills. For example, they ask children questions and encourage them to contribute to stories and songs.  The managers and staff work well together. They make good use of self-evaluation and continuously reflect on their practices to drive further improvements.  The nursery is well established in the community. Some of the staff, including the manager and provider have worked at the nursery for several years and have built up

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This provision is good

effective links with parents and other professionals working in the community.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The systems in place for monitoring staff practice are not yet fully focused on raising the quality of teaching to an outstanding level across the nursery.  Staff do not effectively use the information gained from parents along with their initial assessments to accurately monitor children's progress from the start.

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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

 develop further the monitoring of staff practice to help identify and build on staff's teaching skills, to raise the quality of teaching to an outstanding level  make greater use of the information from parents and initial assessments, to more accurately monitor children's progress over time.

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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 spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the provider and manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.  The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The provider, manager and staff are highly committed to providing the best possible care and education for all children. Staff are keen to keep their knowledge up to date and extend their skills further. They regularly attend training courses and share their new learning with their peers. Safeguarding is effective. Staff know how to recognise and report any signs that indicate a child may be at risk of harm. There are robust procedures when recruiting and vetting staff to help to ensure they are suitable to work with children. All staff hold a paediatric first-aid qualification. Children's safety is well considered throughout the nursery. Parents say they are very happy with the care and education their children receive.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide a stimulating environment with a good range of resources and experiences. They use the information they obtain from observations to help plan for what children need to learn next. Staff use activities well to introduce early writing skills. Younger children excitedly make patterns in foam with their fingers. Older children are encouraged to write their names and staff continually reinforce their understanding of letters and sounds. Staff enthusiastically join in with children's play and support them to use their imaginations. For example, children enjoy using pretend money to buy vegetables in the 'grocery shop'. Children develop a love of books and thoroughly enjoy their parents coming in to read stories to them.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children arrive happy and keen to start their day. They develop strong emotional attachments with their key person and build very good friendships with their peers. Staff share clear boundaries and follow familiar routines which helps children know what to expect during sessions. Staff speak to children in a calm and respectful manner and give lots of praise for their achievements. Children learn about keeping healthy and safe through discussions and exciting activities. For example, they use knives carefully and safely to cut up fruit for their fruit salad. Staff ensure children follow good hygiene routines. Children benefit from regular outdoor play and outings in the local community. Staff work closely with local schools, which encourages continuity in children's care and learning.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children have fun and enjoy their time at the nursery. They are becoming confident, independent learners. Children develop early literacy skills, such as recognising their name. They learn about numbers, counting, shapes and size in everyday activities. Children learn to be part of a group, understand rules and show respect for the feelings and choices of others. All children make good progress in their learning and development, including those who receive additional funding. They develop the skills and attitudes they need for their eventual move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY461011 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1066807 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 70 Number of children on roll 54 Name of registered person Toddlers-In Nursery School Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 1 October 2013 Telephone number 01727 851267 07789916294

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reference number

Toddlers-In Nursery School Ltd registered in 2013. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, all staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including one with early years professional status. Two staff members, including the manager, hold a degree in early years. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am until 12.15pm and 1pm until 3pm. There is an optional lunch club from 12.15pm to 1.15pm. 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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