Lavenders Day Nursery

Inspection of Lavenders Day Nursery 19-21 Bushmead Avenue, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 3QJ

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this inspirational nursery. Staff are committed to the aims of promoting children's confidence and independence. This shines through in the children and they show an amazing thirst for knowledge, competently exploring and determining their learning. For instance, children look at globes and notice volcanoes. They decide to research these, experimenting to make their own volcanoes and talking confidently about volcanic eruptions at Mount Vesuvius. This leads to discussions about beaches, plastic pollution and ways to travel, making their own airport and 'Air Lavenders'.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are truly respected as unique individuals. For instance, staff ask young children if they can change their nappies, respecting their answer and balancing this successfully with ensuring children's needs are met. Children choose when to eat snacks and meals, while recognising that there are reasonable time frames. This enables them to remain focused on their play and persevere at tasks. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They quickly gain a mature understanding of how to express their views and are part of decision-making processes. For example, younger children research jungle animals and use pictures to vote for their favourite animal, which is then sponsored at the nearby zoo. Staff show a sensitive understanding of the possible effects of COVID-19. They provided parents with access to staff and other professionals during national lockdowns, so that they could seek advice and reassurance.

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need to do better?

n Senior staff are ambitious and have a clear vision for the nursery. They share this with staff, inspiring them to ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language, access an exciting, challenging curriculum. n Staff are highly valued and managers use exemplary processes to support staff well-being. Managers' exceptional support of staff significantly contributes to their excellent understanding of the nursery's aims. All staff have a thorough understanding of how children learn and what they need to learn next. They use their excellent teaching skills to ensure that all children take the next steps in their learning and make exceptional progress. Meticulous monitoring procedures ensure that no child falls behind in their learning. n Staff fully appreciate the importance of promoting children's communication

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need to do better?

skills. Babies use simple sign language to help communicate their needs and their thoughts, such as making the sign for 'bird' when they see these in the garden. Two-year-old children learn new vocabulary and competently include this in their play, for example describing butterflies 'fluttering' and 'hovering'. Older children use their excellent language skills, for instance as they explain

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need to do better?

9 August 2022 how to draw a watermelon. n The support for children with SEND is exemplary. Staff communicate exceptionally well with parents and other professionals to ensure that children's needs are consistently met. Practical targets and superbly tailored, empathetic teaching enable children to make excellent progress from their starting points. n Children of all ages show an amazing love of books. For example, two-year-olds sit together in their 'Jungle book corner' and read to one another. They follow staff's excellent example and read with animation, involving their friends as they point to the illustrations and ask them to describe these. They show great respect for one another's need for quiet time to concentrate. n Children participate in a wealth of activities that support them in developing their physical skills. For example, they develop their smaller hand muscles as they carefully choose smaller parts, such as buttons, stones and shells, to create

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need to do better?

pictures. n Children's learning is considered in every area and children are fully involved in this. For example, through participation in a national scheme, children learn about caring for the environment. Children join an 'eco committee', quickly learning about key issues and implementing ways to take positive action, such as turning off unnecessary lights and making compost. n Children enjoy numerous activities that help them to make sense of the world and feel part of their community. For example, two-year-olds work busily in their own café, making menus and taking orders. They visit a local café and bakery and gain a deeper knowledge, taking this back to their role play. n Parents speak exceptionally highly of the nursery. They feel that communication is excellent so that they always know what their children are doing and how to support their learning. Parents report that their children 'thrive' and that 'staff

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need to do better?

show an incredible passion in their care of the children.'

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff demonstrate an exceptionally thorough knowledge of safeguarding. They have an excellent understanding of the local area and the safeguarding concerns that can affect children and their families. The manager and staff frequently update their safeguarding knowledge. They understand how to recognise and report any concerns about children's welfare and know what to do in the event of an allegation being made about a staff member. Staff recognise risks, such as exposure to extreme views and the possible dangers associated with the use of the internet. They take appropriate action to protect children at all times.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 219220 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10137427 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 108 Number of children on roll 177 Name of registered person Childbase Partnership Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01234 342818 Date of previous inspection 3 September 2013

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Information about this early years setting

Lavenders Day Nursery first registered in 1990 and is owned by Childbase Partnership Ltd. The nursery employs 50 members of childcare staff. Of these, 38 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including three with early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. 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 and the nursery manager carried out a learning walk across all areas of the setting to discuss and understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspector observed staff interaction with children during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager. Meetings were held between the inspector, the nursery manager, the area manager, the quality and training adviser, the regional director and the quality manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and saw evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate

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Inspection activities

times during the inspection and took account of their views. She also viewed written feedback from parents.

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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

9 August 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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