River View Day Nursery

Inspection of River View Day Nursery 4 North Road, HERTFORD SG14 1LR

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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 at the heart of everything in this remarkable nursery. Children become deeply engaged in their learning environment. They separate from parents well as they arrive and very quickly become focused in their play. They show motivation to explore every corner of the exciting and interesting environment. Babies make excellent progress in their physical development. They build strength in their legs as they pull themselves up to explore trays of sand. They enjoy the sensory experience of the sand in their hands. Children's natural curiosity is nurtured as they explore blocks of ice with animal toys in them. They eagerly fill jugs of water and pour them over the ice. They watch in wonder as the ice melts and the animals appear.

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The provision is outstanding

Children show exceptional resilience and positive attitudes to their learning. They listen intently to adults and respond to instruction. They have close relationships with staff, who know the children very well. Children are extremely well behaved. They play harmoniously together and show exemplary manners and kindness towards their peers. Children take turns with equipment and say 'thank you' as they pass round trains. There is a deep-rooted culture of respect among adults and children, which values and celebrates the uniqueness of every child.

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need to do better?

n The staff team show complete dedication to providing the highest quality care and an inspiring learning environment for children. The rich and meaningful curriculum is meticulously planned to build on children's knowledge with sequenced learning. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities are making exceptional progress from their starting points. n Children are confident investigators. Staff are extremely effective at allowing children to follow their own interests in their play. They provide them with boundless opportunities to lead with their own ideas. For example, children explore a goat's skull, and they learn about decay and animals that are extinct. Staff provide tools and encourage children to pretend to be archaeologists, and they use brushes to discover dinosaurs hidden in sand. n Children make exceptional progress in their personal development. They are

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need to do better?

confident and demonstrate self-control. The promotion of emotional literacy is hugely effective. Staff teach children to recognise their emotions and how to manage them using books and characters, such as 'The Colour Monster'. Children can articulate how they are feeling and learn how to do things to help them feel calm or happy. n Staff play alongside children and actively encourage them to think critically and problem solve at every opportunity. Children explore different fruits. They learn to use knives safely as staff support them to cut grapefruits and limes in half.

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need to do better?

14 February 2023 Staff use rich language such as 'twisting' and 'squeezing' as children explore the fruit and squeeze them to make juice. This helps children to make excellent progress in their language and speaking skills. n Staff consistently encourage children to be independent. Children make clear progression in these skills as they move through the nursery. Babies learn to use spoons to feed themselves. Toddlers master pouring their own water from jugs and learn to put their coats on. Older children confidently serve their own lunches and scrape their plates. This fully supports children to manage their own personal needs when they are ready to move on to school. n Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong. Parents fully appreciate the outstanding individual care and attention their children receive to help them flourish and reach their potential. The nursery offers learning packs and a

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need to do better?

lending library to support children to continue their learning at home. Parents benefit from accessing an extensive range of courses to support their parenting and their understanding of their children's development. n The management team is exceptionally strong. Their drive and commitment to ensure that children receive the best possible outcomes is shared throughout the staff team. Staff are fully supported in their roles. They receive focused supervision and extended training opportunities to ensure the quality of teaching remains at the highest level. Staff achievements are frequently recognised, which helps staff to feel highly valued and appreciated. Staff report high levels of self-esteem.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The children's safety is a priority for the nursery. There are robust daily risk assessments carried out throughout the nursery to ensure that hazards are minimised. All staff demonstrate excellent knowledge of how to keep children safe and have extensive knowledge of safeguarding matters. They are clear with reporting procedures should they have concerns about the welfare of a child. Staff supervise children extremely well and always remain vigilant, providing a safe environment for children to learn and play. Leaders have thorough recruitment processes to ensure the suitability of staff working directly with children. Their ongoing suitability is monitored regularly.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY465814 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10264957 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 74 Number of children on roll 140 Name of registered person Childbase Partnership Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01992 503497 Date of previous inspection 30 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

River View Day Nursery registered in 2013 and is located in Hertford. It is one of a large chain of nurseries owned by the Childbase Partnership Ltd. The nursery employs 45 members of childcare staff. Of these, 25 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery 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 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. She talked to the inspector about the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors. She 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, training records and safeguarding documents. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of the written feedback provided.

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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

14 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.

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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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