Fingertips Woodland Nursery

Inspection of Fingertips Woodland Nursery 50 Sauncey Avenue, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 4QL

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this highly welcoming and nurturing nursery. Learning opportunities outdoors are particularly rich and children benefit from an exciting and stimulating range of outdoor experiences. Staff plan carefully for children's learning needs but also give children a big voice in what they want to do and when. Children become deeply involved in things that interest them. For example, they decide to extend their play with water. They choose to add soap and predict how many pumps of soap will make how many bubbles. They find out that three pumps of soap make 'too many bubbles', and conclude that they can use the soapy water to clean the mud kitchen. This turns into a highly cooperative group activity as they invite other children into their imaginative game.

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The provision is outstanding

Children immerse themselves in stories. Staff present stories through games and lively activities. For example, staff and children act out 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff'. Children eagerly anticipate their turn to be the troll and play the character with enthusiasm. They carry the stories with them throughout the day, for example, as they later build a bridge and a cave for the troll. Staff help children to extend and test out their own ideas. Children study the pictures in the book and then fetch string and blocks to make the bridge resemble the picture. Children know more and remember more over time as they are given the freedom to explore their unique ideas to their full conclusion.

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need to do better?

n Leaders build an ambitious curriculum that responds to the needs of all children who attend. Staff and leaders have thorough knowledge of what each child can already do, what they need to learn next and why this is important. The staff team works together, so that any staff member can support any child's development. Leaders have an extremely clear and ambitious vision for the future practice of the setting. They enable all staff to share their feelings and views to be known in the nursery. Staff report that they feel fully supported and that they love working at the nursery. This has a positive impact on the children, as they are cared for by staff who enjoy their work and throw themselves into the things the children choose to do. n Children's behaviour is exemplary. They learn from the great respect that staff show to children and each other. Children are very clear about the rules and boundaries of the pre-school and staff give them time to watch and consider

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need to do better?

before they take part in something. This helps children to consider and manage risks. For example, they take care to climb a tree, with staff nearby should they need them. Children know where the footholds are to climb safely. Children's opportunities to take managed risks are underpinned by thorough risk assessments. Staff take great steps to make sure all areas remain safe. Children

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need to do better?

8 June 2022 show great care for other living creatures. They hold snails protectively as they show them to visitors. They whisper when they speak, so that they do not frighten the snails. n Staff focus especially closely on children's communication and language skills. Children rapidly develop their language as staff help them to hear and use new words throughout the day. They work closely with any outside professionals involved in children's care and this helps to give children consistent messages and support. This, coupled with staff's exacting assessment of children's needs, means that they identify and tackle any gaps in children's development as soon as possible. All children, including those who may need extra support, make rapid progress and are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage in their learning. This includes those who will shortly move to school. n Partnerships with parents are highly valued and thoroughly promoted. All

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need to do better?

parents report that they have the highest regard for the nursery where their children thrive. Children are allowed to develop and play at their own pace and staff have respect for their views and interests. Children show extremely high levels of independence and staff encourage them to try things for themselves wherever possible. For example, children change their clothes from outdoor play, lead their own play and eagerly join in tidying up the spaces that they use. Children are extremely confident and know that their own ideas and feelings are valued. They are exceptionally well settled and benefit from extremely secure relationships with staff and each other.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff give the highest priority to children's safety. They thoroughly understand how to recognise signs that children may be at risk of harm and know how to take swift action to address any concerns. Leaders monitor any developing concerns to take the right action at the earliest opportunity to protect children. They take care to help children understand how to keep themselves safe and to understand how to regulate their own behaviour.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2577665 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10239346 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person Fingertips Creative Arts Pre-School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07711200082 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Fingertips Woodland Nursery registered in 2020. It is one of two nurseries run by the same provider. It is situated in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. The nursery opens from 8am until 4pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. The nursery employs eight members of staff, all of whom have relevant early years qualifications at at least level 2. This includes two members of staff who have qualified teacher status, and one member of staff who has early years teacher status. Four staff members hold a qualification. The setting offers places for two-, three- and four-year-old children who receive early education funding.

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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 viewed all areas of the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager led the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about what they want children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of

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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 June 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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