High House Nursery Ltd

Inspection of High House Nursery Ltd High House Farm, Mill End, Takeley, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire CM22 6PL

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision requires improvement

The quality of education that children receive is not consistent across the nursery. Staff's knowledge of the curriculum varies, and they do not always pitch their teaching to match the development needs of each individual child. For example, older children are sometimes asked complex questions in very quick succession and are introduced to language that is beyond their understanding. Very young babies are also asked to count. Additionally, interactions between the children and staff vary. For example, when children show interest in an activity, staff do not always spontaneously use the opportunity to extend children's knowledge and skills.

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The provision requires improvement

Nevertheless, children demonstrate that they enjoy their time at the nursery. Older children enjoy being physically active in the fresh air. They learn to balance and walk along the wooden plank and are encouraged to count as they jump through hoops. Children develop their hand-to-eye coordination skills as they build tall towers. Younger children have fun exploring indoors, using the climbing equipment to develop their physical skills. However, opportunities for children to develop their own play and ideas are sometimes restricted. For example, there are no additional resources provided to support children's imaginary role play in the outdoor playhouse and there is minimal sand in the outdoor sand tray. Furthermore, younger children are not always provided with regular opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air. This minimises development opportunities for children who prefer to learn outside.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the nursery has gone through a period of change. A new manager has been appointed, several members of staff have left, and a revised curriculum is currently being embedded across the nursery. However, managers demonstrate a willingness to make further improvements to enhance the quality of care and education provided for the children. These include the planned recruitment of further qualified staff, the re-opening of the forest school area and the ongoing purchasing of additional resources to support children's learning. n Staff complete mandatory training, such as child protection training. Some staff members have completed additional training that specifically addresses the care of babies. However, this requires further evaluation to ensure staff understand the revised curriculum and have the knowledge and skills to implement it consistently across the nursery. This also includes improving staff's interactions

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need to do better?

with the children. n Staff do not consistently implement and structure a meaningful curriculum, and the quality of teaching is variable across the nursery. Staff sometimes fail to motivate children's engagement in their play, to build on what each individual

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need to do better?

4 October 2022 child knows and can already do. Children's interest is not always sustained. They begin to wander around with no purpose to their play. Furthermore, on occasions, staff struggle to support all children to learn to manage their feelings and behaviours. Children cry, become frustrated and struggle to share resources with their friends. This hampers their ability to engage and make good progress in their development. n Children are warmly welcomed when they arrive at the nursery. They seek reassurance if they are feeling sad or upset. Children are praised for their achievements, which promotes their self-esteem. For example, younger children smile as staff praise them for picking up the coloured scarves. They confidently tell visitors why they pick things up off the floor, saying 'scarves are slippery'. Staff support children to develop appropriate hygiene routines. Children's independence is actively encouraged. Younger children understand when staff

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need to do better?

ask if they need a tissue for their nose, and they know where the bin is to dispose of their used tissues. n Children enjoy healthy snacks and meals. Staff clearly state the procedure to follow to keep children safe. For example, red plates and bowls, along with a place mat, alert staff to children who have a dietary or medical reason for not eating some foods. However, on the day of the inspection, staff failed to follow this procedure consistently. All children had their snack in different-coloured bowls without a place mat. Although children with dietary needs received the correct snack on this occasion, this could lead to confusion for newer and temporary members of staff. n Managers and staff develop appropriate partnerships with parents. Information about the children's day is shared on collection, and parents can access further information about their child through an online app. Parents also have access to

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need to do better?

a 'parent zone', which contains a range of useful information, such as the nursery's policies. Parents can borrow storybooks to read with their children at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff demonstrate a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse. They understand how to make a referral if they have concerns about a child in their care. The manager follows appropriate recruitment and induction procedures. Suitability checks are completed to ensure all staff working with children are suitable. The premises are secure, and staff are deployed appropriately to ensure the children's safety. A wide range of written policies are in place to support the management of the nursery.

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Due date

ensure the individual needs, interests and development of each child are used to plan consistently meaningful and challenging learning experiences that build on what they already know and can do 30/12/2022

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Due date

ensure staff receive effective support, coaching and training opportunities to focus more precisely on improving their practice, increasing their knowledge of the curriculum and their interactions with the children 30/12/2022

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Due date

ensure effective and clear systems are in place and followed to meet children's dietary needs 14/10/2022

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Due date

implement effective behaviour management strategies to ensure children remain engaged in their play and learn to recognise how their feelings and behaviour have an impact on others. 31/10/2022

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should:

n enhance the use of the outdoor areas, particularly for children in the pre-toddler room, and extend the range of resources and activities provided in the outdoor area, to enable all children to explore and develop their own play and ideas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY269706 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10257482 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 103 Number of children on roll 121 Name of registered person High House Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01279 870898 Date of previous inspection 9 September 2021

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Information about this early years setting

High House Nursery Ltd registered in 2003 and is situated in Takeley, Bishops Stortford. The nursery employs 30 members of childcare staff, of whom 14 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspectors discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspectors completed a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years curriculum is organised. n The inspectors observed staff's interactions with the children during indoor and outdoor activities and assessed the impact these have on the children's progress and achievements. n The manager, deputy manager, staff and children engaged in discussions with the inspectors at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspectors carried out a joint observation with the manager and discussed the children's progress and achievements. n A sample of the nursery's documents were reviewed by the inspectors, including evidence of staff's suitability and training. n The inspectors took account of the views of parents by speaking to them.

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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

4 October 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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