Your Co-op Little Pioneers Nursery and Pre-School, Watford Junction

Inspection of The Co-operative Childcare Watford Junction Watford Junction Station, Station Road, WATFORD WD17 1AB

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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

Staff are welcoming and this helps children to feel secure. Children who are new to the setting, are moving to a new room or returning from holidays have plenty of affectionate cuddles and reassurances and this ensures they feel confident to get involved in all that is on offer. Children show that they have a sense of belonging. They use their picture cards for self-registration and to identify their cups and place at the lunch table.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They learn about the simple rules and routines that help to keep them safe and well. Children show through their actions and, as they get older, through their conversations, that they understand how to behave, to be kind to others and to stay safe. Children show this understanding in their play when they use the vehicles along a roadway and take action when they get to a road sign. They know when vehicles have to stop and when it is safe to go.

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The provision is good

Staff take precautions to protect children from exposure to excessive heat. They use the garden early in the day before it is too hot. Children have sunscreen on and wear hats. Alongside this, staff include lots of water play to help children keep cool. Children benefit from eating regular meals and snacks, and their drinks are topped up with fresh water throughout the day.

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need to do better?

n Managers explain the curriculum and how it meets children's learning needs. There is a very strong focus on children becoming confident communicators and being as independent as possible. The curriculum is broad and builds over time. This ensures children have good opportunities to explore and develop their knowledge and skills ready for the next stage of their learning. For example, staff plan and deliver group circle time sessions, some of which are very high quality. Staff structure sessions according to the needs of the children. For the youngest children, these are short and purposeful. Older children have longer sessions as they are often able to remain focused for extended periods. This helps to ensure each child has the best possible chance of success. n Managers are clear about their expectations of staff to deliver the curriculum. For instance, each day children serve themselves at breakfast, scooping cereal

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need to do better?

from the container into their bowl. Staff extend children's learning by encouraging them to count the scoops. Young children successfully count the four scoops. This shows that staff recognise the possible additional teaching opportunities, which supports children's learning well. n Children demonstrate their knowledge of shapes as they make paper planes with staff. They identify the different parts of the planes and the shapes created by folding the paper. Children enjoy games of noughts and crosses. They draw out

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need to do better?

30 July 2024 the grid and fill with the symbols. Children know the importance of turn-taking and strategy when they play. n Managers make sure staff understand what works well and that they appreciate their efforts. They offer useful feedback on how to improve teaching. However, not all aspects of planning are embedded well enough to ensure that spontaneous and extension activities are consistently of high quality. n Children have plenty of opportunities to learn in their preferred space. They benefit from having outdoor and indoor spaces that have been carefully planned with a plentiful supply of resources and equipment. This means children explore their ideas, follow their interests and develop their knowledge as they play. Staff listen carefully to what children say, and they ask questions to help extend children's thinking. n Staff understand what children need to know and do. Children's communication,

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need to do better?

speaking and listening skills are given high priority. Staff use a variety of strategies to help children make themselves understood. They frequently use signing to support speech. This helps children who do not have the words to communicate with others. Children's opportunities for acquiring language are further enhanced with planned activities that get their muscles warmed up for making sounds. n Staff take time to gather information about children from parents. This helps them to know what children can already do and where they can start to enhance development. Partnerships with parents are successful. Parents value the excellent communication and say that staff at all levels are friendly, helpful and willing to assist. n Managers ensure the setting is organised and well managed. They have clear plans for building on the quality of the provision to ensure children have high- quality experiences. They work hard to ensure staff's well-being and that staff

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need to do better?

continue to improve their knowledge and skills.

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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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should:

n support staff to build on their planning skills and embed their knowledge to ensure every experience offered to children provides optimal learning opportunities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 130628 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10351803 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 57 Number of children on roll 66 Name of registered person Buffer Bear Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01923 207065 Date of previous inspection 18 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The Co-operative Childcare Watford Junction registered in 1994. The nursery employs 21 members of staff. Of these, 12 staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 52 weeks of the year, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first 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 joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Managers and the inspector completed four joint observations of experiences and evaluated the quality of education. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the provider and staff. She looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff working at the setting. n The inspector spoke to children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n Parents shared their views about the setting with the inspector. These were considered as part of the overall evaluation.

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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

30 July 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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