Partou Hoddesdon Day Nursery & Pre-School

Inspection of Angels At Play Unit 8, Optima Business Park, Pindar Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire EN11 0DY

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children enjoy moving around this bright, airy setting. They choose from a range of activities that are planned according to their interests. As a result, children soon become involved in their play.

p.2

The provision is good

Toddlers learn about taking turns. They giggle as they play 'peepo' and screech in excitement while they wait for the adult to place a lorry on top of the tower they are building. Younger children enjoy singing and dancing. Staff enthusiastically join in with action songs. This engages the children's attention and helps them discover different ways their bodies can move.

p.2

The provision is good

Even the youngest children begin to be aware of how to keep themselves safe. They hold on tightly while they carefully walk down the steps of the climbing frame. Older children challenge themselves and manage risks safely. They play on a set of platforms and know there can only be one child at a time on each platform. They wait for their friends to jump off and take great delight in showing how they can do somersaults when they land. Children thoughtfully move resources away from nearby 'because we didn't want anyone to hurt themselves'.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager and her deputy manager form a strong leadership team. Together, they create a positive atmosphere for staff's well-being. There are valuable opportunities for staff to advance their careers in the nursery. A tailored mentoring programme equips them with additional skills they need for their new roles. However, there is not always sufficient focus on fully embedding training for the newer and less experienced staff, to strengthen the quality of practice even further. n Staff build on children's communication skills very effectively. They talk about what children are doing to reinforce the meaning of new words. For example, they introduce 'scoop' while children play with diggers in the sand. Toddlers re- enact their own experiences and feed a doll sitting in a high chair. They repeat 'more', and staff comment that their baby wants 'more food'. This helps to extend children's vocabulary as they start putting words together.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children show an interest in books and stories. They bring books to staff to read, and snuggle up for a story. Older children use familiar stories to make connections to their own learning. They bring a favourite book about a caterpillar over to share while they look at a real chrysalis that is due to hatch into a butterfly. Children hear and practise more complex words such as 'emerge' and 'transform'. n Staff skilfully use reference books to build on children's existing knowledge. They show children how to identify different bugs and read out related information.

p.2

need to do better?

3 August 2022 Children find other plastic insects and eagerly ask 'What is this called and what does it do?'. This demonstrates their motivation to find out and learn more. n Children are developing their self-help skills as they progress through the nursery. Two-year-olds competently feed themselves. Older children are able to confidently serve their own food. They successfully use large serving spoons and tongs and pour their own drinks. n There is a whole-setting focus on children's well-being. Staff recognise the importance of acknowledging children's emotions and offering children the skills they need to manage these. For example, they have considered the layout of the nursery and provide calm spaces where children can spend time in a quieter environment if needed. Staff sensitively ask 'How can I help you?,' when children are upset. They listen and gently talk through possible solutions in an age-

p.2

need to do better?

appropriate way. n The managers review changes put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These include continuing to provide a popular lending library that encourages children and their parents to share favourite books. Parents are welcomed back into the setting to bring in and collect their children. They appreciate seeing their children happy and settled and value more time to talk to their key person about their children's learning and development. n Parents speak highly of the staff team and comment on the support they receive, for example regarding potty training and children's anxieties. They say that their children are more confident and sociable due to attending the nursery. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. Key persons know children's abilities and tailor interventions so that all children make progress. Staff consider how to use additional funding, based on children's

p.3

need to do better?

needs and interests. This helps to maximise all children's experiences at nursery.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Managers and the staff team have a good understanding of possible risks to children. They understand their responsibilities to take action if they have concerns about a child or a member of staff. Recruitment procedures and suitability checks contribute to all staff being suitable to care for children. A secure entry system at the front door means that unknown persons are unable to access the premises. This enhances children's safety and security while at the nursery. Records of accidents and attendance are monitored to identify any patterns that may indicate a child's well-being is compromised.

p.3

should:

n continue to strengthen and embed support for the newer and less experienced

p.3

should:

3 August 2022 staff, to improve their knowledge and skills further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2507296 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10194468 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 89 Number of children on roll 83 Name of registered person Langley Gorse Day Nursery Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01992 466138 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Angels At Play registered in 2018. It is situated in Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire and opens from 7.30am to 6.30pm every weekday. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The setting employs 15 childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above.

p.5

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 manager, the deputy manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of the education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Staff spoke to the inspector at convenient times during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n Children told the inspector what they enjoyed doing while at nursery. n The inspector spoke to parents and also took account of their written views. n The manager showed the inspector key documentation to demonstrate staff's

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

3 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7