Highwood House Nursery

Highwood House Nursery Highwood House, Maldon Road, Hatfield Peverel, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 2JP

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Inspection date 22 October 2018 Previous inspection date 6 January 2015

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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The provision is good

n Children behave well. They learn how to share and take turns. Staff are positive role models for children. They give regular praise and celebrate children's achievements. This helps boost children's self-esteem. n The nursery is clean, stimulating, homely and inviting. Each room has been carefully planned to suit the age and stage of children. Children are provided with a range of good-quality toys, resources and natural materials. n Partnerships with parents are a key strength of the nursery. This successfully helps to promote consistency and continuity of care and learning. n The management team is ambitious and has high expectations of staff. The team has a strong future vision for the nursery with well-targeted improvement plans in place.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n The management team recognises that the new system for monitoring the educational programmes and coaching and mentoring staff is not fully embedded across the team. n There are few opportunities for children to develop their critical thinking.

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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

n embed the new system for monitoring the educational programmes and provide even further support to enable all staff to raise the quality of their practice to the highest levels n strengthen opportunities for children to develop their critical-thinking skills.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through verbal discussion and reading the written feedback provided. n The inspector completed joint observations of teaching activities with the early years manager. n The inspector spoke with staff and children throughout the inspection.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a good understanding of how to keep children safe and be alert to signs that they may be at risk of extreme views or behaviours. The management team implements robust safeguarding procedures and notifies the relevant agencies if concerns are raised. The team keeps Ofsted updated of any significant events. Staff maintain a vigilant risk assessment process, indoors and outdoors, to ensure the environment is safe. The management team uses effective recruitment and vetting procedures to ensure all staff are suitable to work with children. Self-evaluation is effective. The management team works together with staff to identify accurately areas for improvement.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide interesting and appropriate activities that engage children and promote their curiosity. Young children freely experiment with paints and brushes to develop their imaginative skills. Staff help children to develop an interest in books. For example, they read to babies and toddlers, who snuggle in closely as they look at the pictures together. Staff support older children to develop their mathematical understanding. For example, they show them how to use their fingers to solve simple sums. Children enjoy learning about the natural environment. They are keen to show visitors the nursery's pet snail and talk about how to look after it. Children are confident and motivated learners.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy. They thrive in the calm and welcoming environment. The key-person system is effective. Staff take the time to get to know children and their families. Their calm approach ensures that children feel highly valued and their emotional well-being is well supported. Children have very good opportunities to learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles. They talk about the food that is good for them at mealtimes. Children are able to follow routines well. They know about handwashing before meals and are as independent as possible according to their stage of development. Snacks and meals are nutritious and children enjoy this social time when they can sit and chat with staff and friends. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise, as they go outside on a regular basis. This helps to promote their physical health and well-being effectively.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress and demonstrate a keen interest to learn. Older children are developing the skills they need for their eventual move to school. For instance, they begin to recognise letters and write their names. Children who are two years old are confident in self-care and gain independence skills. For example, they help to serve meals and pour drinks at mealtimes. Children are friendly, polite and sociable with both children and staff.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY310465 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10059867 Type of provision Full day care Registers Early Years Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 68 Name of registered person Highwood House Nursery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 6 January 2015 Telephone number 01245 382500

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reference number

Highwood House Nursery registered in 2005. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 4 and eight hold a qualification at level 3. The early years manager hold early years professional status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. Opening times are from 8am to 6pm.

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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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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