The Priory Nursery

The Priory Nursery St John Ambulance Headquarters, Stanmore Road, Stevenage, Herts SG1 3QA

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Inspection date 14 November 2018 Previous inspection date 23 July 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 The management team and staff work very well together. They are committed to providing a high-quality learning environment for children. This helps to promote a welcoming and happy atmosphere within the nursery. n Children form warm and caring relationships with their key person. Staff get to know the children and their families well. Children's health, safety and well-being are given the highest priority. Staff ensure all children have a very happy and enjoyable nursery experience. n The manager and staff develop very good relationships with parents, and regularly exchange information with them and keep them fully informed about their children's care and progress. n Children can use a range of tools safely, such as handling cutlery at mealtimes. They recognise how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, staff actively involve them in carrying out daily risk assessments of the nursery environment.

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The provision is good

n Additional funding is used successfully to improve outcomes for individual children. For example, staff provide resources for children to support them in developing good control when holding writing tools. This helps to promote their early writing skills.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n The monitoring of staff practice is not fully focused on raising the quality of teaching to the highest level across the nursery. n The manager does not fully monitor and track the progress that groups of children make, to identify and address any gaps in their learning.

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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 enhance the monitoring of staff practice to help identify and build on staff teaching skills, to raise the quality of teaching to an even higher level n make greater use of the monitoring processes, to support fully the progress that groups of children make in their learning.

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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 spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager. 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 spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff have a very good knowledge about their responsibility to protect children. They clearly demonstrate their understanding of what to do should they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Staff ensure that children's safety is given the highest priority. The premises are safe and secure, and children are well supervised. Robust policies, recruitment and induction procedures ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Partnerships with other agencies and additional funding are used well to ensure all children are supported in their learning and development. The strong links with school staff ensure that children are very well prepared for their move on to school.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff sit with the children as they play, introducing them to new words and extending their vocabulary. For example, they use the words 'slimy', 'slippery' and 'slithery' as children enjoy cleaning and feeding the nursery's giant snails. Children are introduced to numbers, colours and shapes as they play, contributing to their understanding of mathematics. They have fun playing games and singing songs about letters and the sounds they make. They have many opportunities to learn about the natural world. For example, they watch with amazement as chicks hatch out from the eggs. Children excitedly carry out 'bug hunts' in the garden, and use clipboards to mark off the insects they find. Sensory resources are used imaginatively so that children can examine different textures. For example, they enjoy exploring the autumn tray with cones, twigs, leaves and conkers.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children arrive happy and keen to start their day. Staff provide effective routines and child-accessible resources, which promote children's independence skills well. Staff are very good role models for children. They manage behaviour calmly and encourage children to be sensitive towards each other. Children are polite and friendly, and learn to be tolerant, respectful and kind. The nursery cook provides freshly prepared, healthy foods at mealtimes. Children have daily opportunities to play in the large, well-resourced outside area. They also join in with other activities, such as yoga and weekly sports sessions. As a result, children develop an understanding of the importance of physical exercise and a healthy diet.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children display a strong sense of belonging in the nursery. They play and explore with great confidence and independence. All children make good progress from their starting points and are working well within the range of development typical for their age. They have fun working in small groups, developing their concentration and listening skills. Children link letters and sounds and make good attempts at writing their name. All children are developing key skills in readiness for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY285495 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10063560 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 1 - 8 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 67 Name of registered person St John Ambulance

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 23 July 2015 Telephone number 01438 357900

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reference number

The Priory Nursery registered in 2004 and is located in Stevenage. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The manager holds a BA Honours in Education Studies. The nursery opens Monday to Friday for 50 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 5.30pm. 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.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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