St. John's Nursery Playgroup, Oakmere

St. John's Nursery Playgroup, Oakmere Oakmere School, Potters Bar EN6 5NP

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Inspection date 15 November 2018 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Not applicable Effectiveness of leadership and management Outstanding 1 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1 Outcomes for children Outstanding 1

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The provision is outstanding

n Staff know the children extremely well. They use specific and highly effective strategies that meet individual learning needs. n Children benefit from the high-quality speech and language support. Staff use every interaction with children to introduce language and to encourage speech and use of signing. n Parents are fully involved in children's learning. The partnerships are exemplary. Parents are offered highly effective support for learning at home that helps to increase children's attainment. n Partnerships with other professionals are exceptionally strong. Staff use these relationships to gain support swiftly for families. n Assessment of children's progress is precise. Any gaps in their learning are very quickly identified and thoroughly explored to ensure children have the best chance to catch up and close the gap. n Supervision, ongoing support from senior staff and training are highly effective. The

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The provision is outstanding

team use these opportunities to build their skills and improve their teaching. n Staff are inspiring, and they all show enormous dedication and passion for their work. They are determined in their efforts to find new and interesting ways to support children's 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 continue to use reflection and evaluation to identify improvements to build on the already excellent practice.

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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 observed adult-led and child-initiated activities, and evaluated these with the leader and her deputy. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the leader and staff. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working at the setting. n The inspector spoke to children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to at the inspection.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is outstanding

The well-qualified team provides exceptional care and learning. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The team uses its extensive experience of supporting families to help protect children and monitor their well-being. Staff take great care to ensure children's safety. They complete a thorough safety check of the premises twice a day to ensure all hazards are identified and addressed. Staff benefit significantly from the frequent team meetings that allow them time to share practice issues and to plan together for children's learning. Senior staff closely monitor practice to ensure exemplary support is given whenever needed. Staff very effectively track children's progress and complete precise, detailed assessments. They acknowledge the importance of self- evaluation and reflection to build on the already excellent practice.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff have an extremely detailed understanding of the early years curriculum. Their teaching is exceptional. Their extensive knowledge means they use different elements of an activity to promote the specific learning needs of individual children. Children making the 'special soup' learn to cut the fruit and vegetables with small tools. Some children look closely at the shapes and patterns inside the fruit. Other children describe the way the different foods float and sink. Staff know which children need to work on their communication, and who may be working on elements of mathematics or their social skills. Children explore and show their extensive imagination as they play in the sand, the mud kitchen and with the dinosaurs. Staff are always on hand to extend children's thinking and to help them explain their reasoning. Their highly skilful questioning allows children to share what they know.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children behave well and learn self-control. Relationships between children and staff are superb. Staff understand children's feelings and are exceptionally sensitive to their needs. Staff give high priority to children's emotional well-being and promoting their independence. Staff very quickly develop an understanding of how to help children feel settled and secure. They take a special interest in what children like and use this to help them adjust to the new environment. Children have excellent opportunities to make decisions. They choose where they would like to learn, and what they would like to use from the wealth of exciting resources. Children benefit significantly from the outdoor experiences. They delight in the trips to the woods where they collect natural materials to use in their play.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make rapid progress from their individual starting points. They very quickly learn how to use signing to support their spoken communication. Children use chalks to make marks outdoors. They participate enthusiastically with story time, demonstrating their love of books. Children count reliably, identifying the correct date when talking at circle time. Children develop their level of concentration, which helps to prepare them for learning in school. Children have extremely positive attitudes to learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY538419 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10077161 Type of provision Sessional day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person St. John's Methodist Church, Potters Bar

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07760 426968

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reference number

St. John's Nursery Playgroup, Oakmere re-registered in 2016 and is located in Potters Bar. The playgroup employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold an appropriate early years qualifications at level 6, two have a qualification at level 5 and three at level 3. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm on Monday to Thursday, and until midday on Friday. The playgroup receives funding for the provision of early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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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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