Hurst Court Day Nursery School

Inspection of Hurst Court Day Nursery School Hurst Court, 230 Springfield Road, Chelmsford CM2 6BP

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

All children make remarkable progress in their learning, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. Many children exceed their developmental milestones from an early age. Children thrive in the stimulating and nurturing environment of the nursery. New starters settle extremely well and very quickly as they establish firm bonds with their key persons. These strong attachments help children to feel safe and secure.

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The provision is outstanding

Children receive truly exceptional learning opportunities indoors and outdoors. The nursery's own special programmes to promote mathematics and children's understanding of the sounds around them are used extremely well to stimulate young minds and make learning fun. Children are enthusiastic about their learning. They concentrate hard as they count on their fingers. They begin to understand the sounds of letters and form simple words.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are impressively active learners. They are highly motivated and ready to learn. Children decide on the physical challenge they will choose as they balance on one leg and stretch their bodies. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They understand the rules of the nursery and are wonderfully happy and content. Children learn how to express their feelings and regulate their emotions through sensitive and imaginative activities and stories.

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need to do better?

n Children develop a deep sense of belonging as they find their name labels and photographs. They quickly identify a place to keep their possessions and are heartily welcomed by all the staff and their friends. Children develop an excellent degree of confidence and self-assurance. They make choices in their play and vote for their favourite story or the next superb challenge. n Staff engage children in meaningful conversation as they discuss together the events of the day. Staff skilfully extend children's vocabulary and encourage their speech. For example, they describe how a 'sensory trail' of different textures might feel on children's bare feet with words such as 'sticky', 'prickly', 'fluffy', 'soft' or 'rough'. Children are fascinated and excited by an electronic pen that records different languages. This helps children who are learning to speak English to feel reassured and eager to learn. n Managers and staff are extremely well qualified and experienced in the care and

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need to do better?

education of young children. Staff are highly motivated and determined in their quest to develop their skills to the fullest degree. Managers are dedicated to their roles and secure boundless opportunities for the professional development of their staff team. Staff move between nurseries within the company to gain experience and share their exceptional practice with their colleagues. This helps

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need to do better?

17 January 2020 to ensure the continued outstanding service they offer to all parents and children in their care. n Children receive highly nutritious and appetising snacks and meals. Staff support all children to become independent from an early age. Babies and toddlers learn to eat their delicious meals from a spoon. Older children skilfully serve their own food and tidy away their plates. Staff are exceptionally vigilant in the way they monitor children's dietary needs to ensure they stay safe. They carry out rigorous risk assessments in all areas of the nursery and enlist the help of children as 'safety detectives'. This encourages children to take responsibility for their environment and teaches them to keep themselves safe. n Partnerships with parents are exceedingly strong. Staff provide resources and information for parents to continue their children's learning at home. Parents have access to a range of resources, from a lending library to resource packs, to

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need to do better?

support them with their children's learning and care. Parents are exceptionally enthusiastic in their praise of the nursery, the management and staff. They say their children are nurtured by staff, grow in confidence and excel in their learning. n Managers and staff continually evaluate their practice and the service provided for children. They observe the performance of their peers and have established a reflective practice cycle to ensure the highest standards are maintained. Children are fully involved in the nursery self-evaluation. They attend 'mini meetings' where staff listen to their wishes and ensure that children's voices are heard. Staff listen and take account of parents' views and are keen to embrace new and innovative ways to continually enhance their outstanding provision.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff receive extensive training in safeguarding and related matters. Managers ensure that staff's knowledge is secure by questioning them regularly to confirm their understanding of procedures. Staff fully understand their responsibilities to protect the children in their care. They are extremely confident in their ability to recognise the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They understand the procedures to follow for recording of evidence and reporting concerns. Managers follow safe practice when recruiting new staff and ensure that all staff working with children remain fully suitable to do so.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY472673 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10127296 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 1 to 4 Total number of places 59 Number of children on roll 88 Name of registered person Seymour House Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01245495455 Date of previous inspection 21 July 2014

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Information about this early years setting

Hurst Court Day Nursery School registered in 2014. The nursery operates Monday to Friday from 7am until 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. There are 17 members of childcare staff, 13 of whom hold relevant early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including two who hold early years teacher status. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed all areas of the nursery and discussed the curriculum with the head of early years practice. 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 carried out a joint observation with the head of early years practice. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and senior officers, and spoke to staff and children. n The inspector took account of the views of parents by speaking with some of them during the inspection, and looked at relevant documentation.

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Inspection activities

17 January 2020 We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

17 January 2020 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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