Foxcubs Nursery

Inspection of Foxcubs Nursery 30a Runley Road, Luton LU1 1TZ

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children arrive at this inspirational learning environment highly motivated and with a positive attitude to their learning. They are immensely curious and remain deeply absorbed in play throughout the day. Staff encourage and celebrate these characteristics by expertly creating a flexible environment. This enables children to fully explore their ever-changing interests and learning needs. For example, children use magnifying glasses to explore the features of insects. When it rains heavily, staff encourage them to take photos and print pictures. This enables children to continue their exploration using books and electronic devices indoors.

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The provision is outstanding

The management team works exceptionally hard to establish a well-considered and highly effective key-person system. Children develop incredibly close bonds with the well-qualified staff who demonstrate a deep understanding of their individual circumstances. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) develop particularly nurturing relationships with highly knowledgeable one-to-one staff. This enables all children to settle swiftly and make excellent progress from their starting points.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is impeccable. They are polite and considerate towards their friends, staff and visitors. Staff reinforce these behaviours superbly by implementing clear and consistent strategies. They take every opportunity to remind children of the 'golden rules' that children take immense pride in following. For example, children independently use timers to monitor the time they spend at popular activities. They confidently explain how this ensures that everyone gets to have a turn.

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need to do better?

n Staff support children's language and communication development exceptionally well. Within each activity and during free play, staff role model key words to support children to develop a wide vocabulary. They routinely ask open-ended questions, creating opportunities for children to develop their conversational skills. A high proportion of children attending speak English as an additional language. Staff use their knowledge of a variety of languages to support children to settle and feel secure in the environment. They expertly deliver various local communication strategies during targeted, small-group sessions. This enables children to develop their language skills at an appropriate pace to their needs. n Children are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of learning. They are highly independent and confident, and relish in completing age-appropriate tasks. Children delight at serving themselves food from the snack bar and

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need to do better?

pouring their own drinks. After meals and snacks, children confidently wash up equipment and help wipe down tables. At the end of play sessions, they rush to

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need to do better?

13 February 2024 collect brooms and dustpans, working cooperatively with others to tidy up. n Staff take every opportunity to ensure their high-quality teaching is embedded in children's knowledge. Children regularly discuss past activities. For example, when washing up after lunch, children recall a recent experiment they conducted to explore how quickly germs multiply and spread. They explain how it is essential to wash their plates thoroughly so that germs do not get in their tummies and make them sick. Staff conduct daily, small-group sessions. They encourage children to recall what they have learned and what they would like to explore further. n Managers and staff develop deeply respectful relationships with all parents. Parents display high levels of emotion when discussing the exceptional support staff and managers offer to children and the entire family. Staff provide wonderful opportunities for parents to support children's learning. For example,

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need to do better?

children take home reading books and learning activity packs. These are targeted to children's specific learning needs. Furthermore, learning aims of these resources are shared in a variety of languages. This enables the entire family to fully engage in children's learning and development. n Staff morale is exceptionally high. Members of the long-standing team report that they feel valued and that their ideas and opinions are well considered in the nursery. The inspirational manager is swift to identify areas for development. She introduces well-considered strategies to support staff practice and well- being. Her infectious enthusiasm for supporting children and families ensures that her staff demonstrate equal passion within their roles. They are routinely observed identifying good practice during sessions and feeding this back to colleagues. n The management team works hard to establish excellent partnerships with other

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need to do better?

professionals. Parents and carers are routinely signposted to additional on-site services to support children's development and well-being. Children with SEND and their families benefit from highly effective multi-agency partnerships that focus on supporting their specific needs.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY374847 Local authority Luton Inspection number 10316817 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 70 Number of children on roll 57 Name of registered person Pre-School Learning Alliance

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reference number

Telephone number 01582731945 Date of previous inspection 9 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Foxcubs Nursery registered in 2008. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am until 3.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including two who hold early years teacher status.

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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. 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 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

13 February 2024 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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