Busy Bees Day Nursery at Hertford Hartham Park

Inspection of Busy Bees Day Nursery at Hertford Hartham Park Pinder Lodge, Hartham Park, Port Hill, Hertfordshire SG14 1QS

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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 are excited and eager to learn in this inspiring nursery. They become deeply engaged in activities and show high levels of concentration. Older children thoroughly enjoy discovering minibeasts in the garden. They turn over stones to discover worms, and mark them off on their work sheet. Young children explore a range of sensory activities. They giggle as they pop bubbles and splash water in a tray.

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The provision is outstanding

Children develop extremely strong bonds with practitioners in this caring and nurturing environment. Babies settle quickly, enabling them to feel safe and secure. They confidently crawl to the sandpit and squish sand in their hands. They receive warm cuddles when they become unsettled. Children form strong friendships as they play happily alongside each other. They respectfully take turns to play with superheroes in the garden, and involve their friends in tea parties.

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The provision is outstanding

Children have a strong voice in the nursery. Practitioners work hard to enable even the youngest of children to have choice in their play. Toddlers choose wooden discs to indicate what song they would like to hear. Pre-school children become council members where they have opportunities to discuss the activities they like and what they would like to do next. This empowers children and raises their self-esteem and confidence to exceptional levels.

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need to do better?

n The quality of teaching is exceptional. Practitioners are extremely skilled in setting up an environment that ignites children's natural curiosity. Practitioners have an excellent understanding of how each child prefers to learn and their next stages of development. Experiences are consistently built on and tailored to children's specific needs and interests. As a result, children make outstanding progress. n The management team is inspirational and passionate about their service. They continually review and reflect on the provision to ensure that children consistently receive a set of rich learning experiences. Practitioners are extremely well supported, and their well-being is a priority. They receive highly focused professional development. This ensures that the quality of teaching remains at the highest level. Practitioners demonstrate huge commitment to their roles and say they are proud to be part of a remarkable team.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents are superb. They are actively involved with the nursery to support children's learning. Parents come in to share topics such as 'space' with the children. Parents report that communication is excellent. They are kept up to date with their children's learning and are offered practical support to build on it at home. Parents value the nurturing environment that the

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need to do better?

5 October 2022 nursery provides for their children. n Children are extremely independent. They attend to their own self-care needs and learn to pour their own drinks at the drinking stations from an early age. Babies learn to hold spoons to feed themselves. This helps children to develop the skills they need in readiness for school. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are extremely well supported. Practitioners fully understand the needs of these children. For example, they use focused skills, such as signing, to develop children's communication skills. Detailed care plans and cohesive working with other professionals provides children with SEND expert support to help them make the best possible progress. n Children are very confident in using a wide range of vocabulary. Practitioners skilfully build on this through discussion with children. They introduce new words, such as 'cement', as they make houses with sponges. Children recall

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need to do better?

familiar sayings from books, such as, 'I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down'. They enthusiastically find characters, such as a wolf, to retell the story. This provides children with a secure foundation for future learning. n Practitioners provide extensive opportunities for children to learn about cultures different to their own. They use specially created family books to explore similarities and differences. Children hear various languages using 'talking tins' and enjoy learning French. Children learn about people in their community. For example, children visit a residential care home. They read stories and draw pictures with the residents. This means children without extended families can experience having older adults in their lives and learn how to interact with other generations.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The setting has a strong culture of safeguarding. Practitioners demonstrate excellent awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and or neglect. They know how to respond to safeguarding situations in a timely manner. Training provided for practitioners is highly effective and helps maintain their knowledge and commitment towards the protection of children. They supervise children exceptionally well and always remain vigilant. Children learn about safety through the 'safety bee'. They know what to do if someone is hurt and how to keep their environment safe, for example, by sweeping up sand from the floor. The management team completes robust recruitment and vetting procedures to ensure that those working with children are suitable.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 123976 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10234127 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 44 Number of children on roll 87 Name of registered person Busy Bees Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01992 503610 Date of previous inspection 16 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Busy Bees Day Nursery at Hertford Hartham Park was registered in 1993 and is part of a large nursery chain. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 hold qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am until 6.30pm. It provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk, and talked to the inspector about the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and discussed children's progress with staff. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation. This included evidence of staff suitability, the complaints record and staff files. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection.

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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 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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