Home from Home

Inspection of Home from Home Northchurch Cricket Pavillion, Dudswell Lane, Northchurch, Hertfordshire HP4 3TQ

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children come into this warm and friendly nursery excited and eager to start their day. They quickly find their friends and begin to start their play. Children's behaviour is good. They understand what is expected of them in the setting, following rules and boundaries. Older children are kind and considerate towards younger children, sharing objects and including them in their play. They use manners when they communicate, and staff role model this well.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy exploring the outdoor area. They take it in turns to ride bicycles and scooters. Children are keen to scoop mud into small plant pots and enjoy exploring pumpkins in a tray. Staff help to develop children's understanding of growth and change as they talk about how pumpkins grow. Babies are confident using paintbrushes to paint with water. They smile as they welcome praise from an adult. Babies and children are settled and have strong attachments with the staff that care for them.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy looking at books and having stories read to them. Children have 'reading nooks' around the room so that they can readily access books and share them with their familiar adult. Staff use sign language and visual aids to support children as they learn to speak.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum is delivered well to ensure that all children make good progress. Children have access to a varied range of resources that cover the seven areas of learning. Mathematical development is supported very well in the setting. Staff embed mathematics with activities that encourage counting, number and shape recognition. For example, staff count children as they move from one room to the next. Children are encouraged to think about the sizes of objects as they line them up next to each other. n The manager and curriculum lead are clear about what they want children to learn. This is reflected positively in staff's teaching. Babies look at books happily, and staff add language where appropriate to encourage speech. Toddlers make potions in a tray, adding glitter and ingredients. They can take turns, working together until they have achieved the desired outcome. Children who are preparing for school warm up their finger muscles for the day while participating

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need to do better?

in a 'dough disco' during a group time. This prepares them for early writing. However, sometimes, staff direct children to activities and do not encourage them to be independently curious in their environment. This means opportunities for the children to learn new skills are missed. n Staff support children's physical development well. Children have various tools they use to support the development of muscles in their hands. For example,

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need to do better?

27 October 2022 children use wooden hammers to put pins into corkboards, and babies explore loose parts and enjoy stacking objects. The children have access to a large outdoor space, including a local park, where they can move their bodies in a variety of ways. n The manager has a good understanding of what the nursery does well and what it needs to do to improve. She observes and evaluates staff practice, which improves the quality of teaching. Children who receive additional funding are supported well. The nursery works together with a range of professionals and parents to ensure that all children make good progress. n Transitions for children are seamless. Staff ensure that relevant information is shared to local schools and other settings so that children can be well supported. Transitions between age groups in the nursery work well as older children can free flow with younger children, and all children are familiar with the staff who

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need to do better?

work there. n Parents speak positively about the setting. They feel that their children are happy and well cared for. They say, 'Staff are welcoming, friendly and caring.' The nursery provides regular updates and shares information with parents through their online app. Parents mention that they feel involved in their child's learning, and the nursery provides open days where parents are able to meet with their child's key person and share relevant information.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The management team and staff clearly understand the procedures they must follow should they feel a child is at risk of neglect or abuse. They confidently discuss the difference between the roles of the local authority designated officer and social care. This means that any allegations received, or concerns they have about a child, will be addressed quickly. The staff regularly discuss safeguarding issues during supervision meetings with management and during staff meetings. This helps to keep their knowledge up to date. The setting is secure, and children are encouraged to manage their own risks. For example, they know that they need to go down the steps into the garden backwards to prevent the risk of falling.

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should:

n provide sufficient time for children to be curious and express ideas at their own pace.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129350 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10234146 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Curtis, Elizabeth Mary

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reference number

Telephone number 07786 366100 Date of previous inspection 31 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Home from Home registered in 1995. The setting employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at levels 3, 4, 5 or 6. The setting opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.45am until 6pm. It 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 provision. n The manager and curriculum lead completed a learning walk with the inspector. n The inspector observed learning taking place, inside and outside of the nursery. n Children spoke to the inspector about things that they were doing. n Parents shared written feedback, which the inspector took into account in the evaluation of the nursery. n The inspector spoke to staff where appropriate during the inspection. n A sample of documents was looked at to ensure the safety and suitability of the provision.

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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

27 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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