Jack in the Box at Brockswood

Inspection of Jack in the Box at Brockswood Brockswood Primary and Nursery School, Shenley Road, Hemel Hempstead HP2 7QH

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children are wonderfully happy and thriving at this awe-inspiring community pre- school. As soon as they arrive, they start their day with great enthusiasm. The impressive curriculum provides children with rich opportunities and experiences that develop their knowledge and skills. For example, they learn about the role of doctors and nurses in the 'clinic' as they take care of their 'patients'.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff have a deep knowledge of all children. This enables them to provide ambitious learning experiences. For example, at the cutting station, children of various abilities enjoy cutting, snipping, tearing or scrunching paper. Outside, children transport water from large containers into watering cans and water their recently planted garden. They remember that water will help the plants to grow.

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The provision is outstanding

Children demonstrate highly positive attitudes to their play and learning. They engage in deep and meaningful play. For example, in the 'ice-cream parlour', they enjoy real-world experiences as they scoop scented dough into cones and add sprinkles. Children demonstrate and describe how they can stretch, twist, squash and pinch the dough to create their ice cream. They say that their favourite flavour is strawberry because it is 'sweet', but they do not like the lemon as it tastes 'sour'.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit from language-rich environments. Highly effective training and assessment mean that children make the best possible progress with language. For example, every activity is supported by key words. When children use new words such as 'escalator' and 'slither', staff celebrate this with parents and add the word to the 'tree of wonderful words'. n Children enjoy bucket time. They learn words such as 'fluttering' and 'twist' as they watch a paper butterfly. During an interactive story time, children experience snapping twigs and sticky mud as they 'go on a bear hunt'. n The curriculum is ambitious for all children. Learning experiences consider children's knowledge, next steps, interests and learning styles. As a result, children receive high quality teaching that contributes to their expanding skills and knowledge. For example, older children search for letter pebbles in a sensory substance and match them to letter mats. Younger children explore the

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need to do better?

texture as they search for shells and pebbles. n Children are becoming expert mathematicians. For example, providing children with large numbered cards, staff ask them to arrange themselves in a line in correct numerical order. Children fill and empty containers with sand. They find matching labels with pictures and words showing 'full' and 'empty'. Staff refer to this as 'sticky knowledge' because the knowledge has 'stuck'. n Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff apply a consistent approach to the

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need to do better?

26 June 2023 language and actions used to support children. They use phrases such as 'I can see you are feeling sad' and are positive role models. This encourages children to make positive choices about their behaviour. For example, when children argue over a toy, staff support them to identify how they feel and remind children of the expected behaviours. n Staff are highly motivated and driven to make a difference. They attend regular training to develop their skills and knowledge. The manager empowers her team to lead their personal development. Through regular observation and high- quality supervision, staff identify areas of development. This results in consistent and exceptional teaching. n Children have a superb understanding of healthy lifestyles. They identify healthy foods such as oranges and carrots. They enjoy healthy snacks and grow fruits and vegetables in the garden. Staff provide a challenge of the month to

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need to do better?

encourage parents to become involved, for example, by swapping juice for water in children's bottles. n The exceptional manager strives to give every child the best start in life. She has an excellent understanding of the community she serves. Staff have high aspirations for all children, including children in receipt of funding and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Any gaps in children's learning and development are closing rapidly. n Parents say that they are delighted with the progress their children make, especially with communication and language. Parents express their gratitude for such a wonderful staff team and say that they 'go above and beyond' to support the entire family.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is a strong safeguarding culture. Staff are fully aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and have a secure understanding of how to raise concerns. They demonstrate an excellent knowledge of the indicators of abuse and speak confidently about broader safeguarding topics, such as female genital mutilation and county lines. There are robust arrangements in place for the safe recruitment of staff. This includes obtaining references and suitability checks. The manager has ensured that all staff, including herself, are confident in recognising when families may require early help. They work closely with families to access help and support from other agencies.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2638629 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10288900 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 74 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Jack in the Box at Brockswood CIC

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reference number

Telephone number 07852914934 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Jack in the Box CIC at Brockswood registered in 2021. It is in the grounds of Brockswood Primary School in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. The pre-school is a Community Interest Company. The pre-school is open from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. The pre-school employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold an early years qualification at level 3 and two at level 2. The pre-school 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 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, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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. This included several joint observations with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

26 June 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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