Sugarcane Nursery LTD- Nursery on the Heath

Inspection of Sugarcane Nursery LTD- Nursery on the Heath Marketing House, Hatfield Heath, Nr Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM22 7EB

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children and parents arrive at the nursery and are greeted enthusiastically at the door by professional staff who are familiar to them. Children and babies form close, affectionate bonds with their key person, and staff know the children well. Children are keen to take part in activities and enjoy a good range of well-presented and interesting resources. They remain engaged and persevere at activities. Children show good imagination. For example, in the play kitchen, they talk about 'their mum's recipe' as they mix real vegetables together in a bowl. Babies develop their hand-eye coordination and show determination as they independently slide plastic hoops onto a pole. Older children learn to read and write some letters and complete simple computer games. All children are happy, confident and motivated to learn.

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The provision is good

Children have regular opportunities for outside play in the different gardens available. Staff encourage them to be physically active. They suggest outside games and enthusiastically join in. Children in the pre-school room attend regular forest school sessions at a local forest. They learn about nature and develop an understanding of following rules to help keep themselves safe. Children go for walks around the village and attend local events. This helps them to become familiar with the local environment and develop an understanding of their local community.

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need to do better?

n The manager is dedicated and highly ambitious. She works effectively with her staff team to help make the nursery the best it can be. She regularly meets with staff to discuss and monitor the progress of all children. The quality of teaching is monitored through regular observations of staff practice and staff receive feedback to support their ongoing effectiveness. n Staff plan a broad, purposeful curriculum. They support children to become curious, independent learners. For example, as older children add items to each side of a balance scale, staff encourage them to test their ideas and predict what will happen. Toddlers learn through trial and error as they select pieces to complete puzzles independently. n Babies flourish in the nursery. They benefit from warm, loving interactions from attentive staff in a calm but fun environment. Babies show confidence and maturity as they move around the environment independently, sometimes using

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need to do better?

the low level furniture as a support for their developing walking skills. n In the pre-school room, staff support children's communication well. Staff listen attentively, ask questions and introduce new vocabulary, such as 'pith', as children peel oranges. Staff in the baby room enthusiastically sing songs and babies happily join in with the actions and words they are familiar with.

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need to do better?

24 February 2022 However, staff in the toddler room do not consistently engage children in back- and-forth verbal interactions. Toddlers have fewer opportunities to build on their communication skills. n The special educational needs coordinator supports staff to quickly identify where children may need extra help, including those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She puts additional support plans in place to ensure children's individual care and learning needs are met effectively. She also works closely with parents to help them seek external professional support, when needed. n Parents speak highly of the nursery. They comment that staff are 'kind, nurturing and welcoming' and that they 'seem genuinely happy to be working at the nursery'. They say that 'communication if faultless on all matters related to care and development'. Parents say the 'management team are exceptional in

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need to do better?

keeping the nursery running smoothly and efficiently.' n Children behave well and staff encourage them to use good manners and say please and thank you. However, some staff in the toddler room do not manage children's behaviour as effectively. For example, when children find it challenging to share the resources, some staff do not use language that helps them to understand about the rules for sharing. n The nursery cook provides freshly cooked, healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. Mealtimes are sociable occasions in all rooms in the nursery and independence is encouraged. Older children serve their own food, pour their own drinks and babies and young children are encouraged to feed themselves.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff demonstrate a thorough understanding of how to identify the possible signs that a child may be at risk of harm and how to report any concerns. They understand the procedure to follow should there be a concern or an allegation made about a member of staff. The manager arranges training for staff to update and refresh their knowledge and understanding about safeguarding. Daily risk assessments in each room are used effectively to provide a safe and hygienic environment for children. Robust risk assessments are in place to help keep children safe when they attend forest school sessions and other off-site activities.

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should:

n strengthen staff knowledge of how to consistently support young children's communication and language skills n increase staff understanding of how to support young children in learning how to

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY429000 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10221156 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 73 Name of registered person Sugarcanes Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01279 730 331 Date of previous inspection 14 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Sugarcane Nursery LTD- Nursery on the Heath was registered in 2011. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff, 15 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above, including one with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities and discussed these with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and reviewed

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Inspection activities

parent testimonials and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

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

24 February 2022 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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