Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries - Chalfont St Peter

Inspection of Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries - Chalfont St Peter 29 High Street, Chalfont St Peter, Gerrards Cross SL9 9QE

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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 eagerly at the nursery and are greeted warmly by enthusiastic staff, who offer encouragement and cuddles to any children who are unsettled. They form strong bonds with staff, which helps them to feel safe and secure. Children's behaviour is good. They show a good attitude to learning and a willingness to give things a go. Staff are good role models. They use manners and gentle reminders for children, such as using 'kind hands' and 'indoor voices'. Staff plan engaging activities for children based on what they know about them. Pre-school children enjoy making bread with their friends. Staff encourage them to manipulate the dough in different ways, such as by rolling and cutting it. Staff extend this activity by measuring ingredients, which helps children to make progress in their mathematical knowledge. Overall, staff encourage children to be independent. They offer them lots of praise as they try to do things for themselves, helping to

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The provision is good

build their sense of responsibility effectively. For example, children put on their coats for outdoor play and make choices in their play. Staff provide opportunities to enhance physical development well. Toddler-aged children are keen to show the skills they have learned. For example, children joined in with each other to hop, jump and move in different ways.

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need to do better?

n The managers have a clear vision for providing high-quality care and learning for children. They have designed a curriculum that is broad and that has been well thought out. This is also based on their knowledge of what children already know and can do. However, children are not always consistently supported to learn what staff intend them to. Staff sometimes lose sight of the learning intentions of some activities and routine experiences. n Staff support children's physical development well. Babies practise walking and moving about with equipment in the garden. Older children run around outside with staff encouraging their imaginations. They dig in the soil and navigate space on bikes. Children's overall well-being is considered effectively. n The nursery is clean and well maintained, and good cleaning routines are in place to maintain a hygienic environment. Staff teach children the importance of

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need to do better?

handwashing routines to support healthy lifestyles. The nursery provides freshly prepared meals every day according to children's dietary needs. n The efficient management team monitors the quality of the nursery effectively to identify and make continuous improvements. This includes providing a programme of training for the staff team. The nursery has most recently improved experiences for children to engage in their learning outside. n Staff focus on supporting children with their communication and language skills. Overall, they interact with children well. Staff support babies to develop their early speaking skills and teach them to use sign language to help communicate

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need to do better?

11 October 2023 their needs. They introduce pre-school children to new vocabulary as they extend and challenge them during their play. Staff support children's love of books, and children enjoy music and singing. Younger children enthusiastically do the actions, showing obvious enjoyment as they sing their chosen songs with staff. n Parent partnerships are strong. There is ongoing communication with parents through the online app and in person. This helps to promote a consistent approach to meeting children's individual needs. Parents speak highly about the nursery and comment on the progress their children make, saying that they are 'making good progress' at the nursery.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The managers and staff have a thorough understanding of child protection and safeguarding procedures. They have completed safeguarding training and keep their knowledge up to date. Staff know how, when and where to share any concerns they may have about the children in their care. Managers and staff also understand how to report concerns about the behaviour of colleagues. This helps keep children safe. Good recruitment procedures are in place. This helps to ensure that the staff employed are suitable to work with children. Effective risk assessments help to keep children safe at the nursery.

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should:

n support staff to develop the already good-quality teaching, to help extend children's learning during the implementation of the curriculum.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY544973 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10289310 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 69 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01895 678682 Date of previous inspection 20 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries - Chalfont St Peter registered in 2017. It operates from premises in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire. The nursery is open weekdays from 7.30am to 6.30pm. It receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 18 staff working with the children, 10 of whom have relevant childcare qualifications from levels 2 to 6.

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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 joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector held a meeting with the managers and looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working at the setting.

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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

11 October 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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