Hampstead Gate Day Nursery & Pre-School

Inspection of Hampstead Gate Day Nursery & Pre-School 1 Eelbrook Avenue, Bradwell Common, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK13 8RD

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 are happy, settled and safe at this welcoming nursery. They arrive keen to start their day. They receive a warm welcome from kind and enthusiastic staff. These positive relationships are maintained throughout the day. Children behave well. They listen to what is asked of them and cooperate with requests from staff. They are learning well to share and play with other children. They are polite and welcoming to visitors. For example, the inspector was invited by children to join in with a woodwork activity. Children showed they were remembering well what they had learned. They were able to explain why it is important to wear safety goggles and how to hold the hammer carefully.

p.2

The provision is good

Post the Covid-19 pandemic staff have focused even more closely on children's developing social and independence skills. The impact of this is seen in children's good developing levels of confidence to do things for themselves. This learning has been well embedded across the nursery. Children in pre-school confidently find their cutlery and name cards for meals. They scrape their plates after eating. Children show they are developing a broad range of skills and knowledge in readiness for the next stage in their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff plan a curriculum around children's interests and developmental needs. They are clear about the benefits of focusing on children's social, physical and communication skills. They also understand the benefits of exposing children to other learning that helps them understand the world around them. n All children have plenty of opportunities to develop their physical skills. Staff carefully set out furniture and resources for babies to encourage crawling and early walking. For example, staff place a 'walking wall' in the middle of the room to encourage children to pull themselves to standing. Toddlers and older children use the attractive outdoor resources to practise climbing, balancing and peddling. All children have access to lots of resources that encourage them to develop their small-muscle strength in preparation for later writing. n Staff plan an interesting and innovative programme of 'eco learning'. They want

p.2

need to do better?

children to respect their environment and understand the importance of doing so. Children learn to recycle, look after plants and encourage insects into the environment. n Overall, staff promote children's developing language effectively. Staff ensure there are lots of books available and happily sit and read with children. They ensure they pronounce words correctly. They are clear about how best to help different aged children learn new words and communicate. However, sometimes staff do not adapt their interactions to best support this learning intent. n The care staff provide for children is a real strength. Staff follow children's

p.2

need to do better?

16 February 2023 eating and sleeping routines from home, understanding how important this continuity is to children's well-being and sense of belonging. n Children show they thoroughly enjoy their play and learning. Babies delight in exploring cooking ingredients. Older children love making potions. Staff offer lots of encouragement and support as children explore and learn. Children are developing well into curious learners. n Staff ensure resources reflect what makes children unique and special. For example, pre-school aged children can accurately re-create images of themselves. Across the nursery, children take part in celebrations to mark special days from their own and other cultures. Children feel valued. n Parents are overwhelmingly complimentary about their children's experiences at nursery. They report that staff are very caring. Parents give examples of how staff have helped them further support their children's development at home.

p.2

need to do better?

For example, parents explain how staff have helped them with strategies to promote positive behaviour. n Staff have a wealth of opportunities to attend training and develop their skills. Leaders work hard to show staff how much they are appreciated. Staff report that they feel valued and really enjoy their jobs. This helps ensure a positive and happy atmosphere for staff and children alike. The leadership team has good oversight of the curriculum aims and children's progress. However, they are not yet monitoring staff performance closely enough to offer staff the individual support that will build further still on their existing good teaching skills.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff show a robust and accurate understanding of their role in keeping children safe. They confidently talk about the signs that could indicate a child is at risk of harm. They know how to share any concerns, including how to escalate them beyond senior leaders, if the need to do so ever arose. Leaders take effective steps to ensure the ongoing suitability of staff to work with children. Staff ensure the premises are safe and secure and supervise children closely at all times.

p.3

should:

n support staff to deliver the communication and language curriculum, focusing on adapting how language is modelled, to best meet children's different ages and staged of development n monitor staff practice more precisely, so that feedback and support can focus on addressing specific inconsistencies to build further on the overall good quality practice.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2614692 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10264037 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 97 Number of children on roll 138 Name of registered person Childbase Partnership Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01908 500543 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Hampstead Gate Day Nursery & Pre-School registered in 2020 and is situated in Bradwell Common, Milton Keynes.The nursery is open 7.30am tp 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, througout the year. The provider is in receipt of funding to provide free early eduaction to children aged two, three and four years. There are 30 members of staff, of whom 16 hold appropriate childcare qualifications.

p.4

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 her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector, manager and deputy manager completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n Parents shared their views and the inspector took these into account. n The inspector held meetings with the manager and representatives of the provider to find out about the leadership and management of the setting.

p.4

Inspection activities

16 February 2023 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.4

Inspection activities

16 February 2023 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.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6