Riverside Playschool

Inspection of Riverside Nursery School Great Amwell Scout HQ, 142 London Road, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 9NH

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children happily enter the nursery and settle with support from the welcoming staff. They quickly immerse themselves in a variety of activities and welcome the involvement of staff. Staff form strong bonds with children and quickly recognise when they need emotional reassurance such as cuddles. Children's behaviour is good. They demonstrate positive behaviours, such as sharing and taking turns, which are modelled by the calm and friendly staff. Children's efforts and achievements are praised by staff, which helps to build their confidence.

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The provision is good

Children actively engage in a varied range of activities throughout the day. They develop their physical skills and use their coordination to dig in the sand and ride their scooters. Inside, children expand their creative skills through craft activities, such as painting and role play hairdressers, which helps their imaginations flourish. They enjoy looking at books independently and ask staff to read them stories throughout the day. Children who speak English as an additional language are given opportunities to speak and listen in small groups, which helps them to practise and understand new words.

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need to do better?

n The nursery remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic. The manager and staff understand the long-term impact that the pandemic has had on children's development, specifically on speech and language. Therefore, children's language and communication are a top priority. Staff provide a language-rich environment. They encourage children to talk about what they are doing and use sign language to support their speech. n Staff plan a curriculum that evolves around children's current interests and their next steps of learning. A varied range of experiences build on what children know and can do. While children are well engaged in planned activities, staff are not always clear how these support children's individual learning needs. This means they do not always consistently challenge and extend children's individual development. n Children learn about the world around them. They plant seeds in springtime and

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need to do better?

talk about how they grow. Children enjoy going for walks and exploring the woods, using opportunities to re-enact 'The Gruffalo' story. Mathematical language is woven throughout activities. For example, children compare the size of cress and apple seeds. They then count how many seeds they have using a magnifying glass. n Children are beginning to learn skills in preparation for school. At registration they find their own name card and place it with their key person's photo. They take part in morning registration where they talk about themselves and listen to others. Staff teach children the importance of being healthy and to follow good

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need to do better?

8 March 2022 hygiene routines as they support children to wash their hands before snack time. However, staff do not always encourage children to further develop their independence. For example, they do not consistently teach children to put on their own coats or pour their own drinks. n The manager supports staff well. She is focussed on further developing the whole team who are undertaking a range of training, including becoming a communication-friendly setting. Staff have supervision meetings to discuss their workload and personal development opportunities. Regular meetings are held where they discuss their key children, safeguarding and training. n Parents speak highly of the nursery and comment that their children are keen to attend. They feel well supported and appreciate the useful communication systems in place. Parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) describe how supportive and dedicated staff are in ensuring

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need to do better?

their needs are met. Staff work with parents and outside agencies to ensure that appropriate strategies are effectively used. This supports children to take part in daily routine activities. n Additional funding is put to good use. Children take part in additional sessions such as lunch and breakfast clubs, which helps them to settle into a calm environment. Funding is also used towards new resources that children take home to continue their learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have good knowledge about their roles and responsibilities to safeguard children. They know the correct procedures to follow and who to contact if they have a concern about a child's welfare. Regular safeguarding training and professional discussions help to keep their knowledge up to date. Staff attend local meetings to gain further understanding of wider safeguarding issues such as extremism and radicalisation. The manager uses effective recruitment procedures to employ staff and continues to monitor their suitability with appraisals and vetting processes. Staff carry out daily checks to ensure that the premises remain safe and secure.

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should:

n enhance staff knowledge of curriculum planning to sharply focus on learning intentions for each child n develop strategies for all staff to consistently teach and challenge children to develop independence skills and do more things for themselves.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2527146 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10208337 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 49 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Riverside Nursery School - Ware Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07507058922 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Riverside Nursery School registered in 2019 and is situated in Ware, Hertfordshire. The nursery operates during term time from 8.30am to 4pm. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. 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. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss and understand how the early years provision is planned and organised. n The inspector observed activities indoors and outside and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector had discussions with both staff and parents and took into account their views and feedback. n A leadership and management discussion was held between the inspector and the manager, where relevant documents were reviewed including safeguarding policies and recruitment processes.

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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

8 March 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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Inspection activities

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