Early Adventures

Inspection of Early Adventures 10 Katherine Place, College Road, Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire WD5 0BT

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children are excited to arrive and explore this stimulating learning environment. All children form incredibly close bonds with the nurturing staff. When they arrive, babies giggle and smile, holding their arms out to their key staff. Older children cuddle up with staff and enjoy stories in the cosy reading area. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) develop particularly close relationships with their key staff, who remain with them throughout their time at the nursery.

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The provision is good

Children of all ages demonstrate exceptionally high levels of independence. Babies help staff to lay out mats and blankets for nap time. Older children take on age- appropriate responsibilities within their rooms. For example, they are eager to set the table at lunchtime and serve meals and drinks to their friends.

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The provision is good

Children are highly confident. Staff encourage babies and young children to explore climbing equipment in their rooms. They offer lots of praise for children's achievements and encourage them to support their friends by clapping and cheering their efforts. Pre-school children display particularly high levels of confidence. They engage exceptionally well with visitors. For example, children give visitors a tour of their pre-school environment. They introduce them to their class pets, enthusiastically explaining where they come from, and how their enclosures mimic their natural habitat.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents are of an exceptionally high standard. Managers and staff provide regular opportunities for families to engage in children's learning. For example, parents regularly visit children in their rooms. They are encouraged to join in routines, such as mealtimes. This enables parents to gather knowledge about how to further support children's progress at home. Staff have exceptionally strong knowledge of their children and their early experiences. They use this to plan exciting learning opportunities children may not otherwise receive. For example, children across all rooms have plenty of access to outdoor play. They eagerly engage in messy, sensory activities such as exploring slime and water play. n Parents are highly complimentary about the nurturing care staff provide. They deeply appreciate the outstanding support staff offer to the entire family. Parents acknowledge the positive impact this has on children's well-being.

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need to do better?

n Staff use highly effective methods of supporting children's knowledge of ways of life beyond their own. Children write letters and cards to friends in a rural nursery school. They share pictures and information about their different routines and environments. Parents are welcomed into the nursery to discuss

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need to do better?

17 May 2023 different cultures and customs. Children are encouraged to explore their traditional clothing and sample a variety of different foods. n Children with SEND are well supported in the nursery. Staff work exceptionally closely with carers and other professionals. They attend various meetings and undertake additional training to ensure children receive a high level of care. Staff attend other learning settings with their key children. They share information with other professionals and use this to enhance learning opportunities within the nursery. This supports all children to make good progress from their starting points. n The management team is committed to supporting the development and well- being of staff. Managers conduct regular appraisals and supervisions on all staff. This enables them to identify training needs and areas of child development that staff would like to learn more about. Staff have access to a wide range of online

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need to do better?

and face-to-face training opportunities to enhance their knowledge. However, methods of coaching and mentoring are not consistent. Staff are not fully supported to identify ways to improve their teaching. n Children behave well in the setting. They are kind and considerate, offering help to their friends and staff. For example, babies fetch comfort toys for their friends at nap time. Older children help staff to tidy up after meals and snacks and throughout the day. Children of all ages consistently demonstrate good manners. Staff are good role models. They are polite and respectful to children and other adults. However, when there are disputes over toys, staff do not always support children to understand the importance of taking turns.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff understand their responsibilities to keep children safe. They have a good understanding of the signs which could mean a child is at risk from harm. All staff explain the correct process to follow when raising concerns to the appropriate authority, and understand the need to do so in a timely manner. Staff complete regular risk assessments on all areas of the nursery and supervise children well in activities. All staff hold appropriate paediatric first-aid, safeguarding and food hygiene qualifications.

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should:

n enhance current methods of coaching and support to enable staff to consistently identify areas to improve their practice n better support children to identify appropriate ways to manage conflict in their play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY279320 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10286035 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 57 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person Traxon, Claire Margaret

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reference number

Telephone number 01923 681826 Date of previous inspection 30 October 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Early Adventures registered in 2004. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The manager and one other member of staff hold level 6 qualifications. The nursery operates Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 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 provider. n The inspector considered the views of parents by speaking to several during the inspection and reviewing feedback letters. n The inspector looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability of all staff. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children during activities. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching to assess the impact on children's learning. n The inspector and the manager completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector held discussions with staff about the monitoring of learning and development in the setting and tracked the progress of several children.

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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

17 May 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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