Small World Nursery (Watford) CIC

Inspection of Small World Nursery (Watford) CIC 22 Tolpits Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 6AA

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy to arrive at this friendly nursery. The dedicated manager and enthusiastic room leaders are waiting to greet children. They chat about the plans for the day and the exciting activities available. For example, children are excited to make crowns in the pre-school room. They tell visitors that they will wear them for their platinum jubilee party the next day. Children of all ages behave exceptionally well in the nursery and are respectful towards each other. Older children offer one another help in tasks, such as tidying up. Toddlers are willing take turns and share in activities. For example, when children are setting up a drawing activity, they self- select boxes of crayons and pencils and share them out among their friends.

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The provision is good

Children display impeccable manners. They thank staff for meals and snacks without being prompted. Staff are wonderful role models. They consistently demonstrate high levels of respect towards children and adults. Children feel safe in this warm environment. They form exceptionally close relationships with their nurturing key staff. For example, when babies are unsettled before naps, staff are skilled at soothing them. They gently rock them in their arms and sing their favourite songs. Older children demonstrate equally close bonds. They cuddle up to staff for stories and seek them out for affection when tired.

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need to do better?

n Staff consistently measure the impact of their teaching on children's learning. Older children discuss previous learning during small-group time. They proudly recall interesting facts about the Queen. Toddlers enjoy exploring their 'room books' with staff. They look through the pictures of past activities and discuss what they remember. n Staff sequence children's learning well and adapt activities to support the needs of all children. For example, children are investigating minibeasts. Toddlers explore the texture of the soil. They delight in uncovering the hidden insects with their hands. Older children use magnifying glasses to examine and describe the various features of insects. n Relationships between families and staff are strong. Managers establish highly effective methods of two-way communication. This supports families in extending children's learning at home. All parents speak highly of managers and

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need to do better?

staff. They value the close bonds they form with children and how this supports their development. n Children of all ages demonstrate high levels of curiosity in activities. Babies delight at the various sensory baskets they explore. Toddlers are curious about the new colours they make in painting activities. Pre-school children listen intently when discussing the life cycle of the tadpoles they are looking after. n Managers reflect well on the nursery and the care they offer. They are swift to

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need to do better?

31 May 2022 identify areas where they can provide additional support for children. For example, since the COVID-19 pandemic, managers established an additional room for two- and three-year-old children. They recognise the need to further support children's emotional and social development, prior to them moving to the pre-school room. n Staff support children's independence in age-appropriate ways. For example, pre-school children put on their own coats and shoes and pour their own drinks throughout the day. Toddlers skilfully use cutlery and wipe their own faces with flannels after meals. Children are well prepared for the next stage of learning. n Managers and staff place a sharp focus on children's language development. The setting adopts various age-appropriate reading initiatives. Staff interact well with children of all ages. Staff talk babies through their daily routines, such as nappy changes. Toddlers learn new and descriptive words for the various resources

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need to do better?

they use during painting activities. n Staff work well together, and their morale is good. The manager values the staff team and provides effective support, ensuring staff have regular opportunities for training. However, the leadership team have not yet fully explored all methods of coaching staff to help them develop a deeper knowledge of teaching and learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Management and staff have a strong understanding of their role in keeping children safe. They are aware of the signs and symptoms which could indicate that a child is at risk of harm. Management and staff have strong knowledge of the process to follow when they have concerns about children, and the need to escalate these concerns in a timely manner. Staff complete daily, comprehensive risk assessments of all areas of the nursery to ensure it is safe for all children. The manager has robust recruitment and induction processes in place to ensure staff are suitable to work with children and understand their responsibilities to keep children safe.

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should:

n build on the already good practice and seek further ways to help all staff develop first-rate teaching skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2548006 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10215629 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 88 Name of registered person Small World Nursery (Watford) CIC

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reference number

Telephone number 01923 230300 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Small World Nursery (Watford) CIC registered in 2019. The nursery operates from 7.30am until 6pm from Monday to Friday. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. All staff 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. 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 looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability of all staff. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children during activities. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching to assess the impact on children's learning. n The inspector and manager completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector held discussions with staff about the monitoring of learning and development in the setting and tracked the progress of several children. n The inspector considered the views of parents by speaking to several during the inspection.

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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

31 May 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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