The Right Track Children's Nursery

Inspection of The Right Track Children's Nursery National Express, Hertford East Railway Station, Mill Road, HERTFORD SG14 1SB

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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The provision requires improvement

The management and staff team establish warm attachments with children that attend the nursery. Children settle quickly and feel part of the nursery. Staff know the children well and provide activities that aim to focus on children's learning and development. The quality of education children receive is not consistent across the nursery. Staff's knowledge of the curriculum varies, and they do not always pitch their teaching to match the development needs of each child. Furthermore, staff's time is often spread too thinly for children to receive consistently good levels of attention. As a result, there are times during the day when children are not well supported to learn as they play. For example, children play with their friends in the role-play area. They pretend to be at the airport. They eagerly check passports and luggage. However, children's interest is not always sustained when there are too

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The provision requires improvement

few adults available to support them. They begin to wander around with no purpose to their play and some behaviours deteriorate. That said, overall, children behave appropriately for their age.

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The provision requires improvement

The provider does not have effective oversight of the nursery. They do not provide management and staff with the level of support needed to ensure children receive consistent learning opportunities.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the management and staff team have a clear plan for taking the setting forward and are positive in their approach. They engage with support from the local authority. However, changes are yet to be embedded to have an impact on the quality of teaching and learning that children receive. n The provider does not always ensure staffing arrangements are sufficient to offer enough support for children's learning. Although the manager ensures that staffing meets the required ratios, there are times when children's needs are not well met. This is, in part, due to the building layout and the number of routine tasks staff need to complete. However, this affects the frequency of interactions for children and the progress they make. While staff prepare the room for lunch, some children need higher levels of support which they do not receive at these times. Not all children get the help that they need to practise new skills.

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need to do better?

n The provider does not give all staff the support they need to help them to understand their roles and responsibilities. Staff attend compulsory training to help develop their knowledge and understanding. Some staff do not receive a thorough induction or have the time to improve their understanding when they move into new roles. n Staff support children's communication and language skills. They provide a running commentary as children play. Staff read books and teach children songs. Children develop language skills appropriate for their age and stage of

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need to do better?

15 August 2024 development. n Children have daily access to outside play to support their physical development. Staff help younger children to climb and negotiate the obstacle course. Older children enjoy digging in the mud kitchen. n Children follow simple instructions and know the routines of the day. For example, they wash their hands before sitting down to eat their meals. This helps children to learn about caring for themselves. Staff introduce some opportunities for children to be independent, such as getting ready to go out into the garden, and, occasionally, children can serve their own meals. However, staff do not consistently offer this and often do things for the children. As a result, children do not build on their developing independence. n Staff are beginning to help children to self-regulate. They share a story about monsters. Children recall the different feelings that correspond with the colour of

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need to do better?

the monster. Children are learning about their feelings. n Complaints that are brought to the management team's attention are given full consideration. Managers investigate and deal with any complaints appropriately. However, they do not keep a written record of complaints and their outcomes. n Parents speak positively about the nursery. They appreciate staff's attentive care for their children. Staff keep parents informed of their child's development and provide them with key information about their child's day.

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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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Due date

ensure information about the individual needs, interests and development of each child is used to plan consistently meaningful learning experiences that build on what they already know and can do 05/09/2024

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Due date

review how staff are deployed to meet children's needs, especially at mealtimes and during busy transition points in the day 05/09/2024

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Due date

15 August 2024 improve the support provided for staff to enable them to effectively fulfil their roles and responsibilities 05/09/2024

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Due date

investigate written complaints and keep a written record of any complaints and their outcome. 05/09/2024

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should:

n provide consistent opportunities for children to develop their emerging independence.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY407680 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10358315 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 30 Number of children on roll 21 Name of registered person Byrne, Alexandra Marina

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reference number

Telephone number 01992 500455 Date of previous inspection 5 January 2024

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Information about this early years setting

The Right Track Children's Nursery registered in 2010 and is privately owned. It currently employs seven members of childcare staff and a cook. Five childcare staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, all year round, except for one week at Christmas. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed activities, indoors and outside, and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector had discussions with staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n A meeting was held between the inspector and the management team. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff.

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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

15 August 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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