Apple Daycare and Childminding Services

Inspection of Apple Daycare and Childminding Services Little Berkhamsted Sahibs Cricket Club, The Recreation Ground, Little Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire SG13 8LY

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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 arrive at the setting from a woodland walk and are warmly greeted by staff. They settle quickly and eagerly begin to explore their environment which offers a rich range of learning experiences. They explore minibeasts in soil using a magnifying glass. A variety of puzzles encourages problem-solving skills, and mark- making with crayons helps children to build strength in their fingers.

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy a dance and music session. They express themselves through movement as they move their bodies to familiar songs and shake musical instruments to the music. They reach out to pop bubbles in the air, helping to build on their physical development. Staff provide praise to children when they pop the bubbles, which builds children's confidence and self-esteem.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They form positive relationships with their peers and play alongside each other happily. Staff are excellent role models and gently support children to take turns and share equipment effectively. They teach children the importance of being kind to their friends. This helps children to understand their own emotions and behaviour, and how these impact on others.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum is embedded well into the setting. Leaders have clear and effective strategies to deliver a curriculum that meets the needs of the children. Activities and resources are set out to reflect the seven areas of learning, and are based on the children's interests. Next steps are identified for children; however, staff do not always incorporate these into their teaching and interactions. As a result, children are not fully supported to make progress in these identified areas. n Children's transitions are managed effectively. Robust settling-in sessions are in place to ensure that children transition smoothly when they first start. Staff take time to monitor and observe the children which helps them to meet their needs. Children are supported as they move between settings, and adjust to learning in a larger environment. This helps them to prepare as they move to the next stage of their education.

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need to do better?

n Staff play alongside the children, narrating their play. This provides a good opportunity for children to learn new language as they repeat words, such as 'yellow door'. Staff associate words with the activities the children are doing. For example, as children roll a hoop, staff say, 'roll it'. This helps children to build on their understanding of language and develop their communication skills. n Parents speak highly about the setting. They value the positive experience their children have, stating their children are 'thriving and love being at the setting'. Parents are kept up to date with their children's learning and development

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need to do better?

17 May 2023 through an on online platform and daily handovers. Staff share next steps with parents so they can continue children's learning at home. n Staff provide plenty of opportunities for children to be independent. Children are encouraged to take their boots off. They confidently self-serve their own drinks and collect their lunch. They use spoons to feed themselves and are beginning to establish good hygiene practices, such as wiping their noses and washing their hands. n Staff effectively weave mathematics through their teaching. Staff count with children at every opportunity. They count toy bugs they have lined up, and talk about the difference between 'big' and 'small' rubbish trucks. This helps children to be secure in their learning before they move to the next stage. n Leaders ensure that staff are well supported. They provide staff with regular supervision and professional development opportunities. This helps to keep the

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need to do better?

standard of teaching at a high level and ensure that children have positive outcomes. Leaders make staff well-being a priority. They ensure that staff can manage their workloads effectively and have a strong focus on work-life balance. Staff report high levels of well-being at the setting.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff demonstrate a secure knowledge of the potential signs and indicators of abuse and neglect, including exposure to radicalised views. Leaders have a good understanding of the safeguarding trends in the local area and how they may affect the cohort of children in the setting. Staff are clear on how to report a concern about the welfare of a child and refer to the relevant agency. Leaders ensure that risk assessments are carried out each time the setting opens, to ensure the environment is free from hazards. Staff are vigilant and supervise children well as they walk to and from the setting.

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should:

n develop staff's teaching skills to further support children's identified next steps, to help them make even better progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY460701 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10236132 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 12 Name of registered person Apple Daycare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07876 136458 Date of previous inspection 15 March 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Apple Daycare and Childminding Services registered in 2013. It is located in Little Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. The setting employs five members of childcare staff, some of whom also work at the group's other setting, Apple Daycare Limited. All staff who work at this setting hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 or above. The setting opens Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9.30am until 2pm, through the summer months, mainly during term time and occasionally in the school holidays.

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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, staff records and safeguarding documents. n The inspector took account of written feedback provided from parents.

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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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