Grasshoppers Day Nursery (St Albans)

Grasshoppers Day Nursery (St Albans) 20 York Road, St Albans, Hertforshire, AL1 4PL

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 April 2018 30 July 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

 Managers have very high expectations and are passionate about providing the highest quality of care for children. They continuously evaluate all aspects of their practice. Managers gather the views of parents, children and staff. Parents frequently share their views via the parents' forum and children regularly share their valued ideas through the children's council.  Children have very close bonds with their key person and staff. They demonstrate they are extremely happy and feel safe in the staff's care. Children rapidly grow in confidence, which is supported through the staff's skilled approach to praise and encouragement.  Staff have built exceptionally close partnerships with parents, helping them to be fully involved in all aspects of nursery life and their child's learning. They provide parents with an extensive range of activities to use at home to further support their child's progress. Staff send detailed information to parents about what they are working on

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This provision is outstanding

and children's next steps in learning.  Children's communication skills are fully incorporated into challenging and interesting activities. Staff skilfully ask children questions to further develop their speech and introduce a range of new vocabulary, including 'pipette' and 'ice' to younger children.  Children have frequent opportunities to extend their rapidly developing physical skills. They delight in outings to the local parks for group games and climbing on equipment.

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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 enhance the procedures for staff supervision and monitor and evaluate staff's practice to maintain the excellent quality of teaching.

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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 nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and deputy. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff receive frequent training to keep themselves fully updated with any new developments. They know detailed information about the signs and symptoms of abuse. Staff have an excellent knowledge of who to contact with any concerns and the nursery procedures to follow. Children rapidly learn to identify hazards and risks for themselves during activities. For example, they know that spades could hurt their hands as they fill pots with soil and plant flower seeds. Staff attend frequent training to further develop their own understanding and skills. They share information from training with all other staff to continually support the very high standard of care provided for children. Managers recognise the importance of monitoring this to maintain the outstanding quality of teaching and learning. Staff have built exceptionally close partnerships with other settings that children attend. This fully supports an excellent

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff have very high expectations of what children can achieve. They fully challenge children in their mathematical development. For example, staff support the children in learning about halves as they cut up fruit and vegetables. Children learn to identify the numbers of the clock to tell how long it will be until snack time. They delight in counting how many pieces they need for each child to have a piece of fruit. Younger children are fully supported in learning colours with the use of different coloured ice cubes and balloons. Children are fully challenged during story time sessions. Staff ask questions about what will happen next and children have opportunities to tell stories in their own words from their favourite books.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Young children rapidly develop their independence, such as when they learn to serve their food at mealtimes. Children behave exceptionally well and very kindly share toys and equipment with each other without being prompted by staff. Excellent hygiene practices are promoted by staff. Children learn from a young age to wash their hands before mealtimes. Staff skilfully use mealtimes to discuss with children about the food they are eating and help them identify food that is good for them. Children learn to respect each other's views and patiently wait for their turn to speak.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Older children enjoy investigating vegetables as they learn to cut them. They describe how they look, taste and feel. Younger children squeal with delight as they feel and explore different coloured ice cubes and balloons. Children make rapid progress in their progress. They are very eager learners and fully engage in the extensive range of challenging activities. With staff support, children rapidly learn the necessary skills ready for their next stage in learning and eventual move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY459397 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1066707 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 51 Number of children on roll 86 Name of registered person Childbase Partnership Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 30 July 2013 Telephone number 01727 852097

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reference number

Grasshoppers Day Nursery (St Albans) registered in 2013. The nursery employs 27 members of childcare staff, 12 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. One member of staff holds qualified teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday all year round, for 52 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. 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

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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