The Bees Knees Day Nursery

The Bees Knees Day Nursery Cambrian Way, Highfield, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 5TD

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 June 2018 24 September 2015

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Regular and accurate assessments support all children to make the expected levels of progress. Gaps in their learning are quickly identified and staff work hard to close these gaps effectively.  Parents are very satisfied with the service that the nursery provides. They comment that their children are happy to attend and they feel that the nursery keeps them well informed on their children's progress.  The provider and manager have very strong leadership skills. They encourage staff and parents to share ideas and contribute to the nursery's action plan to help to improve the nursery further.  Children are highly engaged learners. They are motivated by the activities they choose and seek out their friends to work cooperatively with, such as when they play in the mud kitchen outside.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Some staff do not consistently make best use of their strong teaching skills. At times, their expectations of the children mean that they do not challenge them fully in their learning.  Children are not consistently offered opportunities to explore their emotions and talk about how they are feeling.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 ensure that staff consistently have highly strong expectations of what children can achieve and routinely challenge their learning  make further use of existing opportunities for children to explore their feelings and emotions.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector was given a tour of the setting by the manager.  The inspector and the manager conducted a joint observation of a planned activity and assessed the impact of the teaching on the children.  The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector met with the provider, the manager and the assistant manager, and discussed the leadership and management of the nursery.  The inspector looked at various documentation during the inspection, including staff suitability documents, children's learning journals and nursery policies.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The nursery staff have a strong focus on children's welfare and know the procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child in their care. The committed management team provides opportunities for staff to develop their professional skills and knowledge further. The nursery shares relevant information and works well in partnership with other professionals, such as the local children's centre. Children are well supported when they move on to the next room in the nursery, as well as when they move to another setting after pre-school. Additional funding that the nursery receives is used very effectively to support specific children to make the expected levels of progress in their learning and development.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children have access to a wide range of learning opportunities and are interested in the activities they choose., All children learn about life cycles, for example, as they see the chicks hatch from eggs and then watch them grow. Staff skilfully question children to encourage them to develop their ideas as they learn. Children remain focused when working with staff and share their ideas with others. For instance, they confidently discuss the different types of transport they can create from empty boxes and bottles. Staff set relevant and achievable next steps for children in their learning. These are shared with parents so that they can work together with the nursery to support children to reach their goals.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are well cared for at the nursery. Staff respond sensitively to children's personal care needs. A flexible settling-in process encourages children to settle quickly and they form strong bonds with their key person. Staff support children's behaviour and relationships positively. For example, they remind children to cuddle their friends gently. Staff use positive praise throughout their practice. Children know the routines well and follow them without prompting, such as placing their rubbish in the bin after eating.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children are confident and independent and are well prepared to move on to the next stage of their learning. Older children confidently trace over laminated words and this helps develop their smaller muscles for writing. They practise writing their names when they label their work. Outside, they enjoy playing together and develop their larger muscles. For example, they kick balls to each other and jump through hoops on the ground. They develop their hand-to-eye coordination, such as when they play with bats and balls. The children enjoy learning about the wider community and different faiths. They are fascinated as they look around an ambulance as part of their topic of 'people who help us'. The youngest children enthusiastically dance and clap along to the music of familiar songs.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 129334 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1126886 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 134 Name of registered person Kathryn Hay

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 24 September 2015 Telephone number 01442 393341

p.4

reference number

The Bees Knees Day Nursery registered in 1996. The nursery employs 24 members of childcare staff; of these, 22 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. This includes one member of staff who has qualified teacher status. The provider also employs three catering assistants. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, 50 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

reference number

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

p.5