Building Blocks Preschool Nurseries Ltd

Inspection of Building Blocks Preschool Nurseries Ltd Trinity Methodist Church, Whippendell Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 7NN

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are excited to arrive at the nursery. Staff welcome families warmly and chat to them enthusiastically about the activities planned for the day. Children are secure in the routines at the nursery. They separate from carers with ease before putting their bags away and joining their friends to register.

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The provision is good

Children display high levels of confidence. Staff encourage this by providing opportunities for children to demonstrate their skills. Staff consistently praise and reward children for their efforts, creating an environment where children's perseverance is valued. For example, during circle time, children receive 'high fives' and stickers when they recall the sign language they have been learning.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy a wide range of interesting, age-appropriate activities and resources. Enthusiastic staff are swift to initiate inspirational learning opportunities to support children's development. For example, during outdoor play, staff encourage children to use play equipment as boats and row to imaginary islands. Staff support children's curiosity and language development by encouraging them to describe what they see on the various islands.

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need to do better?

n Parents speak highly of the manager and staff. They comment on how children enjoy their time at the nursery. Parents value the support and advice that staff offer regarding children's learning and development. n Staff support children's growing independence in preparation for starting school. Children pour drinks and serve their own fruit at snack time. Staff encourage children to use mirrors to develop essential hygiene skills, such as wiping their own nose and cleaning their face after meals. n The manager has a clear intent for children's learning. The environment is planned to meet the developmental needs of all children. Staff engage well with children in all activities. They adapt their teaching to support the learning of individual children. For example, children are learning about butterflies. Younger children are encouraged to identify the colours of the butterfly shapes. In the same activity, older children are supported to count and group various quantities

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need to do better?

of butterflies. n Staff place sharp focus on developing children's communication and language skills. A high percentage of children who attend speak English as an additional language. Staff engage well with families to develop a good understanding of children's home languages. They use this knowledge to develop a library system. Children and carers share stories in various languages to support children's learning. The manager establishes close relationships with other professionals. This allows her to implement additional initiatives to develop children's language

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need to do better?

5 July 2022 skills in preparation for starting school. n Staff have good knowledge of children's abilities. They use this information well to extend children's learning in activities. For example, children identify numbers written on the wall. Staff encourage them to select the corresponding number of chalk sticks. They challenge children further by supporting them to write the numerals themselves on whiteboards. n The manager and staff work hard to implement strategies to support children's understanding of how to manage conflict appropriately. For example, when children struggle taking turns with resources, they independently use sand timers to resolve their disputes. Staff use circle time as a means of reminding children of the setting's rules. Children recall which behaviours are inappropriate and the consequences if they break these 'golden rules'. However, staff are not yet consistent in supporting children's understanding of the effect that

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need to do better?

unacceptable behaviour has on others. n Children are beginning to learn the importance of using good manners. Staff are good role models. They always demonstrate polite and respectful behaviour to children and other adults. However, staff do not make the most of daily routines to support children's learning in this area. For example, snack time is conducted in small groups and is very rushed to allow all children to eat. Children do not have sufficient time to engage with one another and practise these essential skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff understand their responsibility to keep children safe. They know the signs and symptoms that could indicate a child is at risk of harm. Staff know the process to follow when reporting concerns to the appropriate authority. Directors have a robust recruitment and induction process in place. This supports staff knowledge of safeguarding and first-aid procedures from the start. Staff regularly complete comprehensive risk assessments of the environment and supervise children well in all activities.

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should:

n support children's understanding of the impact their behaviour can have on others n make better use of daily routines to support children's understanding of appropriate behaviours in preparation for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2575751 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10239253 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 30 Number of children on roll 37

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Name of registered person

Building Blocks Pre-School And Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07581 443 479 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Building Blocks Preschool Nurseries Ltd registered in 2020. The nursery operates Monday to Thursday, from 8.30am to 3.30pm, and on Friday from 8.30am to 11.30am, during school term time. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff, four of whom hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 and above.

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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 considered the views of several parents by speaking to them during the inspection. 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.

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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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