Jack and Jill's Day Nursery

Inspection of Jack and Jill's Day Nursery Buncefield Lane, Woodlane End, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 7HY

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children enjoy the time at the nursery and demonstrate a positive attitude to their learning. They receive consistent praise for their efforts and achievements, which develops their confidence and motivates them to continue to persevere at their chosen activity. Younger children develop their hand-to-eye coordination as they scoop and pour water from one container to another. Children smile and laugh as they join in with action rhymes, clapping, jumping, turning round and waving their arms. Younger children develop their early writing skills as they paint and make marks on the chalk board. Some older children write their names on their imaginary passports and proceed to use them to check into the pretend airport.

p.2

The provision is good

Children enjoy being physically active in the fresh air. Babies enjoy swinging on the swing. Younger children learn to climb the steps of the slide and manoeuvre wheeled toys. Older children gain a practical understanding of safety. For example, they use the obstacle course and assess whether they can climb and jump safely. Older children use their good language skills as they describe how they will bake the 'chocolate cake' they are making at the mud kitchen. They discuss how to decorate it with icing and strawberries and proceed to find pinecones to use as the strawberries. Children enjoy experimenting. For example, they paint the shed with water and successfully work out that the water makes the shed look darker, and this then goes lighter when the water dries.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager and senior management team have worked hard to embed the curriculum intentions across the nursery. They regularly reflect on the overall effectiveness of the provision to support them to maintain standards. Management demonstrates a strong desire to continue to improve. The manager and staff understand children's needs and use any additional funding effectively to offer children well-tailored opportunities that aid their development. n Staff form close bonds with the children and interact with them well. They understand what children need to learn next and are clear about the intentions of each activity. Staff continually reflect on each child's emerging interests and encourage them to extend their play and to remember previous learning. For example, children recall the names of dinosaurs. They discuss what the dinosaurs like to eat. A staff member helps them remember the differences between carnivore and herbivore. Additionally, staff actively encourage children

p.2

need to do better?

to use their developing language skills to talk about what they have been doing. n Staff develop positive relationships with parents. They support parents to extend their children's learning. For example, they review children's progress and offer ideas for activities to try at home. Staff are sensitive to the needs of children and their families, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 lockdowns. They are

p.2

need to do better?

13 April 2022 aware that some children have had fewer opportunities to socialise with others, and so offer additional support to aid this. n Staff help children to feel settled and welcome. They treat all children with respect and act as positive role models. Staff actively support children to listen to instructions, share, take their turn and be kind to their friends. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Staff understand their needs and work well with other professionals. This supports staff in ensuring that children are included and make good progress. For example, staff support children in listening, communicating and interacting appropriately with others. n Children who speak English as an additional language are offered good support. Staff help them to learn English and also show respect for their home languages. For example, young children join in with songs and action rhymes sung in the

p.2

need to do better?

home languages of some of the children in their room. Opportunities such as these also help children to recognise and understand differences. n Staff ensure children's care is tailored to meet their individual needs. For example, children's dietary requirements and preferences are understood and adhered to across the nursery. Children enjoy mealtimes. They develop good manners and social skills. Older children learn to take responsibility and demonstrate increasing independence as they serve their own food and pour their own drinks. n The manager has supported staff's emotional well-being during the pandemic and ensures that their workloads are manageable. Staff complete mandatory training, such as child protection. However, management does not always make the best use of training and development opportunities to support staff, and to further raise the quality of their teaching. n Children independently choose the resources and activities that they would like

p.3

need to do better?

to play with. However, at times, staff interrupt children's play and learning to focus on their daily routines and plans. This occasionally limits opportunities for the children to continue to explore and develop their own play and ideas, and the activities they are enjoying.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of their duty to protect children and report any concerns they may have about a child's well-being. They undertake regular training in safeguarding, receive updates during staff meetings and understand the importance of keeping associated records. Effective security arrangements ensure that any unauthorised visitors are prevented from entering the nursery. Closed- circuit television cameras operate across the nursery. Management implements secure recruitment procedures. Suitability checks are carried out on all adults and staff connected to the nursery. Induction is used to support staff to understand their roles and responsibilities.

p.3

should:

n enhance the use of professional development opportunities to focus more precisely on building staff's knowledge and understanding, in order to continually raise the quality of teaching n support staff further in following daily routines while still recognising and allowing children time to enable children to develop and complete activities they are enjoying.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY374856 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10237164 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 93 Number of children on roll 109 Name of registered person Jack & Jill's Day Nursery Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01442 244 903 Date of previous inspection 3 November 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Jack and Jill's Day Nursery registered in 2008. The nursery employs 26 members of childcare staff. Of these, 19 hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 5. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The 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 inspectors completed a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years curriculum is organised. n The inspectors observed staff's interactions with the children during indoor and outdoor activities, and assessed the impact this has on the children's progress and achievements. n The registered provider, the manager, staff and children engaged in discussions with the inspectors at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspectors carried out a joint observation with the manager and discussed the children's progress and achievements. n A sample of the nursery documents was reviewed by the inspectors. This included evidence of staff suitability and training.

p.6

Inspection activities

n The inspectors took account of the views of parents from written information provided by them.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

13 April 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

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 .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7