The WonderWorks @ Leavesden

Inspection of The WonderWorks @ Leavesden Suite 1, Building 6, Leavesden Park, Hercules Way, Watford, Hertfordshire WD25 7GS

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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 enjoy their time in this welcoming nursery. They settle quickly and display high levels of confidence and self-esteem. They develop warm and caring relationships with staff and from a young age develop friendships with each other. This helps children to feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Children engage in a wide range of stimulating and enjoyable experiences. They particularly enjoy the outdoor environment, which provides wonderful opportunities for them to use their imaginations, exploring the many different areas. Children learn about nature as they happily search for insects and build spider houses in the undergrowth. They gather water in their watering cans from the drainpipe waterfall, to put out 'the fire'. Children develop their physical skills and build confidence, as they negotiate and balance on the rope bridge or the tyre swing. Younger children develop their small-muscle control, as they concentrate on pinching and popping bubble wrap. They are surprised and delighted with their achievement.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. They know the routines and play well together. Staff consistently praise children which enhances their sense of belonging and gives them a sense of pride and achievement. Toddlers learn to share toys and negotiate as they play with the activities. Older children recognise when to wait and take turns. They are kind and help each other to take part when playing together.

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need to do better?

n Staff develop a broad and balanced curriculum, which considers children's interest and next steps. Staff create a positive and purposeful environment to ensure children make good progress developing skills for their move to school. Children are inquisitive learners who show good levels of motivation and concentration. n The quality of teaching across the setting is good. Staff use information gained from their observations and assessments to accurately identify the next steps in children's learning. However, on occasion, some activities are not planned as well as they could be. As a result, some children do not fully benefit from the experience. n Children learn to keep themselves safe, as they carefully focus and concentrate when using a small hammer and nails to complete a picture. They recognise the colours of different pieces of wood and the shape and size needed to replicate a design. Staff skilfully support their learning by asking if they need a shorter or

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need to do better?

longer piece and counting the number of nails. They encourage children to use their vocabulary to explain what they are doing. n Children learn about good hygiene and healthy eating, as they prepare the snack

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need to do better?

11 March 2022 fruits for all children. They carefully wash their hands to prevent the spread of germs and place a net hat on their head to prevent any hair falling into food. Children develop their communication and language skills, as they cheerfully talk with staff about different fruits and how these grow, and that the tomato is the only fruit that grows in the ground. Staff introduce mathematical language as children cut the fruits into quarters and halves and count the pieces of banana and pear. Children learn about recycling, placing their used hats in the correct bin. n Staff promote children's independence throughout the day. Children carefully fill their water glass to manageable levels and are gently reminded by staff how to use cutlery. They skilfully serve themselves at mealtimes and tidy away their used plates when they have finished. Children, including toddlers, know the daily routines and put on their coats and wellies before going to play outdoors.

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need to do better?

n Children expand their love of literacy. They listen and eagerly take part in story times and happily choose books throughout the day to sit and look through. n Staff build strong relationships with parents. They speak highly about the service and communication they receive from the nursery and are extremely pleased with the progress their child makes. n The manager supports staff effectively through supervision meetings and observations of their practice. Staff can access online training. However, some staff are less confident in aspects of their learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a clear understanding of their safeguarding roles. They confidently describe the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm and understand how to report any concerns to the relevant agency in a timely manner. Staff complete regular training to ensure their safeguarding knowledge and skills remain up to date. This includes the wider safeguarding issues, such as extremism and radicalisation. Directors and managers have a rigorous recruitment and induction process in place. This ensures safeguarding procedures and information are securely embedded in staff's knowledge from the start.

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should:

n consider the interests of all children during activities to enhance their enjoyment and engagement in their learning n continue to sharply focus training to support staff to grow in confidence and further develop their knowledge and skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2594595 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10230787 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 57 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Ready Set Play Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 02034274270 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The WonderWorks @ Leavesden registered in 2020. The nursery employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, with occasional weekend care if needed. Sessions are from 7am until 7pm. 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 inspector and manager completed a learning walk to discuss the curriculum and what they want children to learn. 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 spoke with staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n A joint evaluation of an activity was completed with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

11 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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