Buntings Nursery

Inspection of Buntings Nursery St. Francis House, London Road, BUNTINGFORD, Hertfordshire SG9 9JL

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in the nursery. They make choices about what to play with. They use their imaginations to create 'monsters' from construction pieces. Staff promote children's physical development well. Babies use carefully placed furniture to balance and move around. Older children love jumping in puddles and acting out a favourite story. Staff help children to recall the words, and the children giggle, saying, 'Splash, splosh', as they go through the mud. Staff help children to develop their balancing skills as they climb on ladders and large tyres.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff are good role models, and they help children to understand the rules. They consistently give children encouragement. Children develop their confidence and social skills as they play together. Older children are beginning to help their friends understand the rules. For example, while cutting shapes in play dough, children tell their friends, 'Sharing is caring'. Staff build strong attachments and understand their role as key persons. Children are well cared for and have the attention and support they need. Children have a flexible settling-in period when they move to new rooms. Staff support children's transition from nursery to the next stage of their education.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders and staff work well as a team to ensure that children get a good start to their early education. They have regular staff meetings and opportunities to share their views and opinions. Thorough inductions and mentoring sessions help to ensure that staff understand their responsibilities well. Staff attend regular training courses to continuously improve their knowledge. n The manager has designed a curriculum to meet children's differing needs. Staff plan learning experiences for children that support them to build on what they already know and can do. Staff use a blend of adult-led activities and child-led play. Occasionally, some planned activities are not organised as well as they could be to help children gain the skills they need. For example, while playing a matching game, children become absorbed but are unable to finish the game because pieces are missing. This results in children losing their focus.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff understand the importance of developing children's communication and language skills. Staff sing rhymes to babies, who show their enjoyment by waving their arms. They engage in discussion and introduce new words as children play. For example, while creating their own gingerbread-shaped play dough, staff talk about the cinnamon and ginger scents. However, there are occasions when staff do not model the correct pronunciation of words, particularly when using sign language. For example, children hear 'pease' for 'please', which can be confusing for children with growing vocabulary. This does not ensure that children learn the accurate pronunciation of all words.

p.2

need to do better?

27 November 2023 n Children behave well. They respect one another's space as they crowd around the floor activity. They are starting to share resources and take turns. Staff remind children of rules, such as using their 'listening ears'. They provide a soothing approach to children who become frustrated when they cannot find the words to explain what they need. Staff help children to calm down and ask them to show them what they need. n Staff support children to be independent. They encourage children to wash their hands and eat with cutlery during mealtimes. Younger children are eager to get themselves ready to go into the garden by selecting their waterproof suit and wellington boots. n Parents give high praise to staff for the level of support their children and family receive. They feel that their children make good progress in their learning and development. They enjoy the regular photos and ideas about how to support

p.2

need to do better?

children's learning at home. n Staff have tailored plans in place to help meet children's individual needs. There is a special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) in place. She has established good links with other professionals. This ensures that children's care and learning needs are well met.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The management team ensures that staff have regular safeguarding training. The team checks staff's understanding during supervisions and team meetings. This means staff have good safeguarding knowledge. Staff are confident and clear about who to contact should they have a safeguarding concern. The manager observes that staff use risk assessment well in the setting and on outings to keep children safe. Staff check regularly on sleeping children. Staff have current paediatric first-aid certificates. They teach children about personal safety during everyday activities and routines.

p.3

should:

n support staff to strengthen the delivery of planned activities to ensure resources are appropriate for the children taking part to help them achieve the maximum learning n build on staff's awareness of how to promote children's communication skills, including modelling language, to help children make further progress in their communication and language.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY362227 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10319064 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 49

p.4

Name of registered person

Mrs Michelle Ward and Mrs Emma Edwards Partnership

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01763 272 868 Date of previous inspection 12 September 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Buntings Nursery registered in 2007. The nursery employs 24 members of childcare staff. Of these, 14 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery opens from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, for 52 weeks of the year.

p.4

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 Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. 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 spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

p.5

Inspection activities

suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

27 November 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6