Little Tulips Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Tulips Day Nursery Woodhall Lane, Welwyn Garden City AL7 3TP

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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 settle well in this calm and nurturing nursery. They form strong bonds with staff, which helps them to feel safe and secure. Children are happy and confident. They enjoy a rich environment with plenty of meaningful learning opportunities. Children make their own choices about the activities they would like to explore next. Toddlers enjoy playing in the mud kitchen. They pretend to slice mushrooms and cook them in the toy oven. Through their play they develop physical skills that support their independence. Older children form friendships and enjoy imaginative play. They take on different roles in the home corner, building on their social skills.

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The provision is good

Children develop a love for reading. Staff create ample opportunities for children to look at books. Children enjoy cuddles with their key persons as they listen to stories. Staff have created a nursery library to encourage children to borrow books to read at home. This further supports children's early literacy skills.

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The provision is good

Children have good opportunities to develop their fine motor skills. Younger children squeeze spray bottles to add water to sand and draw with chalk on boards. Older children use shells to scoop up sand and cut paper with scissors. Children develop the finger dexterity to copy the letters of their names.

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need to do better?

n Children develop an understanding of mathematical concepts. Staff have a good knowledge of how to bring the teaching of mathematics into everyday routines. For example, children join in number songs while waiting to wash their hands for snack. n Children behave well throughout the nursery. Staff support children in age- appropriate ways. For example, they explain why they should not throw toys and redirect them to throw balls in the garden. Children understand the boundaries, as behaviour management is consistent throughout the nursery. This helps children learn what they can and cannot do. n Managers have a strong focus on providing an inclusive environment. Activities are accessible so all children can engage fully in their learning. For example, specially adapted equipment ensures that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) can join in. Staff plan events that embrace the

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need to do better?

diversity of all children attending the nursery. Children celebrate many different cultural and religious holidays and raise awareness of disabilities. As a result, children feel welcome and valued. n Children with SEND are well supported. Staff work closely with parents and professionals to plan specific targets that meet individual needs. As a result, children make good progress in their learning.

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need to do better?

21 February 2023 n Staff keep parents informed about their children's progress. They hold meetings to share information and discuss children's next steps. Staff invite parents to stay-and-play sessions to show them how children learn in the nursery. Parents praise the staff for the progress their children make. n Managers are passionate about providing good-quality experiences for children. They are proactive in gaining feedback from parents and children. For example, when children leave the nursery, they take part in exit interviews with their parents. Their views help to inform areas for improvement. Parents report that staff value their opinions. n Managers are clear about what they want children to learn. Some staff plan next steps to support children's development effectively. However, some staff do not build on what children already know or can do. As a result, next steps do not always focus on children's individual needs, limiting their progress.

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need to do better?

n Staff support children's language development. They narrate to babies and young children during their play, helping them to learn new words. Some staff use questioning techniques skilfully to support children's communication. They ask older children open questions, such as 'how can we fix this?'. This prompts children to share their thoughts and ideas. However, some staff use closed questions that do not encourage children to think beyond simple, one-word answers. This limits the progress children can make with their language development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The use of biometric entry systems and stairgates keep children safe in the nursery. Staff know their safeguarding roles and the possible signs a child may be at risk of abuse. Staff know how to report allegations against staff to the relevant authorities. Managers provide regular training and use staff meetings to embed knowledge. Staff have completed wider safeguarding training such as the 'Prevent' duty. Staff teach children about online safety. They provide parents with information to keep children safe online at home.

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should:

n monitor how staff identify and plan for children's next steps to ensure that they are more clearly linked to children's individual needs n support staff to use effective and consistent questioning techniques.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY491553 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10276714 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 65 Number of children on roll 76 Name of registered person Kiddie Cove Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01707707420 Date of previous inspection 28 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Little Tulips Day Nursery registered in 2015 and is situated in Welwyn Garden City. The nursery employs 20 members of staff, 14 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at levels 2 to 6. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, 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 nursery 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 setting. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the manager and registered individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises.

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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

21 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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