Squirrels Day Nurseries (Hemel) Ltd

Inspection of Squirrels Day Nurseries (Hemel) Ltd Jupiter Community Free School, Jupiter Drive, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP2 5NT

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children enjoy a wide variety of activities in this bright, welcoming nursery. Staff develop secure relationships with children, allowing children to feel safe in the nursery. Staff use children's interests to plan activities. Younger children explore the sensory tray. They crawl in it, and use their bare feet to explore the textures, crunching the flakes and watching to see what happens next. This helps children to become inquisitive learners.

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The provision is good

Children receive a lot of praise and encouragement from staff as they play, such as when children climb up the ladders to the climbing frame. Staff encourage children to try independently. As their confidence builds, staff members gradually offer less support. Children enjoy exploring the different ways to climb. They delight as they make their way to the slide at the top. These achievements build on children's self- esteem.

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The provision is good

Children seek each other out to share experiences. Younger children play alongside their peers. They watch intently as their friends play with toys, copying and following their lead. Older children work together to hunt for leaves, ready for leaf printing. They talk together about how their leaves look and try to find the biggest ones. This helps develop children's social skills and ability to work together.

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need to do better?

n Staff are knowledgeable about their children. They work together as a team to create activities which are available for children to access. Older children develop skills needed for school. They learn how to put on their coats independently and use knives and forks at lunchtime. In the Explorers' room, staff create activities to meet the wide age range of children. Some staff members use their knowledge of babies' interests to involve them in play. However, this is not consistent and, therefore, babies sometimes become disengaged and move quickly on to other activities. n An effective transition plan is in place for those children going to school. Key persons liaise with teachers to share information about children's development. They welcome teachers into the nursery to meet the children. Staff spend time talking to children about their recent visits to school. They encourage children to talk about the things they did. This helps children to become excited about the

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need to do better?

next stage in their learning. n Staff are knowledgeable about how best to use additional funding to support children's development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, funding was used to support children with the next steps in their learning while at home. Children's key persons developed activity packs and completed 'doorstep drop-offs' to children. This aided parents with supporting their child's development at home.

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need to do better?

5 July 2022 n On the whole, children behave well. Staff model how to share toys for younger children. They explain how sharing is kind. Children are aware of the expectation of their behaviour while in the nursery. In the Investigators' room, staff remind children of the rules of the nursery. There are times when children mix in the garden area. During this time, plans are not shared between staff to ensure that, where needed, behaviour management is consistent. This means that children do not always know what is expected of them. n Staff support children to develop knowledge of healthy lifestyles. Older children cut vegetables independently. They talk with staff about the different vegetables and where they come from. At snack time, children enjoy a range of healthy fruit. Where children have packed lunches, staff support parents to provide healthy options. n The manager has greatly improved communication with parents. Parents

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need to do better?

comment on now feeling part of their child's learning journey. Parents find the staff team welcoming and approachable. They state that their children make good progress in their learning. n Staff receive good support from the management team. New staff buddy up with experienced staff members. This offers support and encouragement daily. The manager has a clear plan in place to continue the development of the nursery. She understands her role in the journey they are on and how she will continue to support staff.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and staff keep children safe. Staff are knowledgeable of the signs and symptoms of abuse and know how to refer any concerns they might have about children's welfare or safety. Wider issues in society such as the 'Prevent' duty guidance and county lines are known by staff. They are confident on how to report on this when required. Staff attend training to keep their knowledge updated. Robust recruitment procedures are in place to ensure the suitability of all staff working with the children.

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should:

n guide staff working with babies to enhance their knowledge of how babies learn to improve their interactions and engage babies in purposeful learning opportunities n support staff to provide a more consistent approach to behaviour management so that children understand the rules and know what is expected of them.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY492557 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10233991 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 36 Number of children on roll 67 Name of registered person Squirrels Day Nurseries (Hemel) Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01442 263921 Date of previous inspection 8 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Squirrels Day Nurseries (Hemel) Ltd registered in 2015. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and the last two weeks in August. 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 spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff spoke with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection and she took account of their views. 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 manager and the inspector carried out joint observations of group activities. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

5 July 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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