Best Friends Childcare

Best Friends Childcare Samuel Ryder Academy, Drakes Drive, St Albans AL1 5AR

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Inspection date 20 December 2018 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable 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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This provision is good

n The provider, manager and staff are passionate in their commitment to provide a high- quality learning environment for children. Staff support children's learning well, and the quality of teaching is consistently good. n Children who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities make good progress at the nursery. Staff attend specific training, and work with specialists and parents to ensure that they fully support all children. n Staff speak clearly and introduce new words into the children's play to help promote their communication and language skills. Parents provide staff with useful words and phrases to support children who speak English as an additional language. Staff also use visual images to help children's understanding of daily routines. n Parents receive detailed information on line about children's progress. They contribute well to their children's learning and share their children's special moments from home

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This provision is good

to provide continuity in learning. Parents speak very highly of the nursery. n Children's learning is enhanced by visitors to the setting. Weekly sessions are arranged to help develop their physical skills. They also participate in singing and drama activities, and enjoy Spanish lessons. n The supervision of staff is not regular enough to be a fully effective aid to monitoring, supporting and improving their practice. n Staff do not always provide opportunities for children to build on their early reading skills as well as possible.

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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 extend the existing systems for evaluating and monitoring staff performance to continue to strengthen and build on the good practice already demonstrated n strengthen opportunities for children to build on their early reading 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, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The manager and staff work well together, which helps to provide a welcoming and happy atmosphere within the nursery. The manager ensures that staff are appropriately deployed, and ratio requirements are met. Most staff hold relevant childcare qualifications, which has a very positive impact on the outcomes for the children. Safeguarding is effective. All staff understand their responsibilities to protect the children in their care and know the procedures to follow if they have any concerns. Recent training has helped to ensure they know how to keep children safe from extreme views or behaviours. There are thorough recruitment and induction procedures for new staff. The suitability of all staff is checked, and robust policies and procedures are in place. Daily checks and risk assessments help minimise hazards to promote children's safety.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children are excited about the many Christmas activities planned for them. Sensory resources, such as a Christmas tray, are used imaginatively so that children can examine different textures and use their senses. Staff in the baby room have a secure understanding of the developmental needs of the children they care for. Children develop their early mathematical skills well. They count and sort objects, and use mathematical language as they play. Staff plan real-life experiences for children, such as posting their Christmas cards in the post box. Staff make good use of technology. For example, children have lots of fun playing computer games and using cameras to take photographs of their models.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff provide a welcoming environment for children and their families. New children and parents are well supported by staff to ensure a successful settling-in period. Babies and children develop a strong sense of security and build close attachments to staff. Staff give lots of praise and encouragement. They value children's achievements, which promotes their self-esteem. Staff are positive role models and manage children's behaviour well. Children learn self-care routines, eat healthily and enjoy fresh air and physical exercise each day. They develop their understanding of the wider world, such as learning about people who help them. They enjoyed a visit from a police officer, who talked about how they can keep themselves safe.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children of all abilities achieve well and enjoy their time at the nursery. They are becoming confident, independent learners. Babies develop their physical skills as they learn to crawl and walk independently around the room. All children enjoy singing familiar songs and rhymes. Older children 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. Children are well prepared for their future learning, including their move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY540321 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10089261 Type of provision Full day care Registers Early Years Register

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Day care type

Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 27 Number of children on roll 47 Name of registered person Best Friends Childcare Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01727847475

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reference number

Best Friends Childcare Ltd registered in 2016. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The provider holds early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery also runs an after-school club during term time only. Sessions are from 3pm to 6.30pm.

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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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If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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reference number

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

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