Benington Nursery

Inspection of Benington Nursery Benington Primary School, Walkern Road, Benington, STEVENAGE, Hertfordshire SG2 7LP

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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 clearly feel safe, happy and secure in this high-quality, child-orientated nursery. They confidently leave their parents at the door and excitedly enter the nursery in anticipation of their day. Children make their own choices and the inspiring outdoor area is hugely popular with them. Children are active explorers and know where to look for bugs. They encourage each other to handle them carefully and explain to visitors why we should all look after bees. At story times, children continue to demonstrate their superb knowledge of environmental issues. For example, they talk about the danger of plastic in the sea, as this chokes the creatures that live there.

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The provision is outstanding

Top priority is given to children's emotional health and well-being. Staff help children to understand their feelings and emotions. When children feel angry, staff sit alongside them and calmly acknowledge how they are feeling. These skilful interactions enable children to find their own ways to deal with their emotions and they are very soon back engaged in effective play and learning. Children work together exceptionally well, such as to build an obstacle course. They take turns as they work out how to negotiate ways to move around the course. Children's behaviour is excellent.

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need to do better?

n The passionate, ambitious manager and her dedicated team have a strong and clear vision for the nursery. They provide an excellent, broad curriculum, where learning opportunities are meticulously planned around children's needs and interests. The impact of this is very clearly demonstrated as children absorb themselves in play and exploration. Children are superbly prepared for their next stage in learning and for moving on to school. n Children's highly motivated key persons have a deep knowledge and understanding of children's individual needs. They use precise and accurate assessments of children's development and understanding of their interests, to encourage rapid progress. Any delays in children's development are identified very early and parents are involved in identifying what children need to learn next. n The manager and staff have truly reflected on how they can support children though the COVID-19 pandemic. They have wholeheartedly committed to

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need to do better?

research and training to build their knowledge, such as on how to support children through trauma and to develop their speech and language skills. Staff report how this has helped to transform how they manage children's behaviour and emotions. Their high-quality skills are evident in practice. Staff calmly support children and provide them with emotional tools to enable them to understand their bodily reactions, such as to anger, and learn how to self-

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need to do better?

28 June 2022 regulate. n Children have numerous opportunities to build and practise skills which prepare them for reading and writing at school. Staff strategically place books all around the nursery. Children spontaneously use books to gain information from, which helps them to further develop their knowledge. Staff provide many opportunities for children to draw and write. Children are proud to show how they can write their names with skill and precision. n Partnerships with parents are very strong. Parents have the utmost praise for the staff and speak highly of the continuous improvements the provider makes. They say that they are very well informed about their children's progress and next steps in learning. Staff listen to parents, value their input and see them as partners. They give them constant support and ideas of how to complement their children's learning at home. n Leadership and management of the nursery is extremely strong. The well-

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need to do better?

qualified staff team commit to regular training and share what they learn with each other through discussions at staff meetings. Managers have effective engagement with staff through supervisions and focused actions for professional development. Staff benefit from regular constructive feedback about their practice and receive encouragement and coaching that further inspires them. Staff say that they feel highly valued and supported in their role by the provider and other colleagues.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff give the utmost priority to children's safety and well-being. Safeguarding policies and procedures are very well understood. As a result, staff are highly confident in what they must do should they have any concerns about children's well-being or the conduct of their colleagues. Staff are also aware of wider safeguarding issues, such as how families may become exposed to radical or extreme views. They receive thorough training and support to ensure they understand all child protection procedures. Robust recruitment procedures help to ensure all staff working at the nursery are suitable to work with children. Managers provide new staff with a thorough induction around safeguarding and child supervision responsibilities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2550546 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10233442 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 22 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Benington Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07949880780 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Bennington Nursery registered in 2019 and operates on Monday to Friday, from 8.40am until 3pm, term time only. The nursery employs six members of staff; three hold an early years qualification at level 3, one holds qualified teacher status and the manager holds a level 5 qualification. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged two-, three- and four-years old.

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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 manager and has taken that into account in her evaluations. n The inspector and manager completed a walk around the nursery. They talked about how the curriculum is organised and looked at the environments. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and learning and interactions between the staff and children. n The inspector and the manager observed an activity together and discussed the quality of teaching and learning. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. A sample of records, including safeguarding policies and procedures and staff suitability checks, were seen by the inspector. n The inspector spoke to some children, staff and parents and took account of their views.

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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

28 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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