Muriel Green Nursery School

Muriel Green Nursery School Church Crescent, St. Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 5JB

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Inspection date 14 November 2018 Previous inspection date 3 July 2014

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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 headteacher and the senior management team are dedicated and knowledgeable. They consistently use the ideas of staff and parents to enhance the service they provide and drive forward improvements. For example, the outside area has been developed to support children to become more involved in learning about the natural world and to encourage imaginary play. n Staff regularly observe and monitor children's progress. They quickly identify children who may need extra support and implement timely strategies to help them catch up. All children make good progress from their different starting points. n The headteacher and staff are particularly skilled in maintaining strong relationships with parents. This is a key strength of the provision. Parents praise the constant support they receive and comment on how effectively staff work with them to support their children's development. n Babies and older children are happy, settled and behave well. Staff carefully nurture

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The provision is good

children's emotional well-being in the warm and caring atmosphere they create.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n Occasionally, staff do not provide sufficient time for older children to respond to questions asked, so they have opportunity to think about what they would like to say. n Staff do not consistently make the most of spontaneous opportunities to extend older children's emerging awareness of mathematical ideas, especially counting.

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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 provide more time for older children to think and respond to questions n build on opportunities to extend children's mathematical awareness, especially with regards to counting.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the children and staff engaged in activities, indoors and outdoors, and talked to them at appropriate times. n The inspector conducted a joint observation with the headteacher. She met with the headteacher and manager at appropriate times throughout the inspection to discuss how they monitor and support staff. n The inspector looked at a range of relevant documentation, including policies and children's records. n The inspector checked evidence of staff suitability and their qualifications. n The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection and read their testimonies.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The provider ensures that staff are confident in their understanding of the signs and symptoms which may give cause for concern about a child's welfare. Staff have completed training updates about how to identify any children who may be at risk of exposure to extreme ideas or behaviours. The provider constantly supports staff professional development, for instance, through regular supervision and monitoring. Staff use the training they receive effectively, for example, to help them keep children safe and well. Staff work closely with other professionals to support children's learning and development as well as possible. The management team ensures appropriate funding is secured and staff go on specialist training to enable them to provide good-quality care for each child.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff effectively support children's physical development. For example, babies enjoy rolling, squeezing and squashing coloured pasta shapes and spaghetti, strengthening the small muscles in their hands. Staff support toddlers in learning that text has meaning as they examine the labels on food items they use to make a shop. Older children use their emerging writing to make lists during their creative play. Staff use singing times to support children's communication skills. For instance, babies attempt to sing a few words and join in with nursery rhymes. They explore resources that support them in learning about technology.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children's self-confidence is promoted very well. For example, the outdoor area allows children to assess risk for themselves as they access large-scale climbing equipment. They gauge how to use their legs and arms around it to slide down safely. Children are kind as they consider the feelings of others and attempt to resolve conflict for themselves. Children settle quickly in the setting, as multiple sessions are assigned to build a healthy and close bond with the key person. Older children are supported very well as they transition into the maintained nursery school. Children enjoy healthy meals and talk about the importance of eating well, which promotes a healthy lifestyle. They have first-hand opportunities to expand their understanding of people, families and communities through creative and imaginative activities and teaching.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are motivated and eager to join in activities. For example, older children collect sunflowers, sage and mint from the garden to add to their flour-and-salt mixture as they pretend to make birthday cakes. Babies are curious and enjoy exploring the play environment. They practise physical skills freely, such as pulling themselves up to standing. All children are prepared well for their future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY225164 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10069410 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 0 - 3 Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 66

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Name of registered person

The Governing Body of Muriel Green Nursery and Pre-School

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 3 July 2014 Telephone number 01727 891 109

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reference number

Muriel Green Nursery School registered in 2001. It is located in the St Albans Children's Development Centre in Hertfordshire. There are currently 14 staff working directly with the children. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and 10 staff hold qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday for 49 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.45am to 6.15pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-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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reference number

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reference number

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