Little Life Nursery

Inspection of Little Life Nursery Little Life Nursery, Aldenham Country Park, Dagger Lane, Elstree, Borehamwood WD6 3AT

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children enjoy their time in this exciting learning environment. Leaders provide children with a rich set of learning opportunities that support them to engage well in play and have a positive attitude to learning. For example, children enjoy exploring the extensive outdoor environment. They pay regular visits to the neighbouring farm, where they learn about and help care for the animals. Staff place sharp focus on developing children's physical and emotional well-being, exploring the peaceful and varied surroundings. Together, they discuss the positive impact fresh air and exercise have on their bodies and minds.

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The provision is good

Staff demonstrate good knowledge of all children who attend. They are observed supporting their varied and individual needs well during activities. For example, staff adapt learning opportunities that provide appropriate challenge for the most able children. As a result, all children demonstrate focus and perseverance in activities and make good progress from their starting points.

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The provision is good

Children behave well, are kind to others and understand the need to adhere to the rules in this extensive learning environment. Staff encourage these behaviours by exploring expectations together during the day. For example, prior to visiting the farm, children and staff discuss the importance of holding hands, listening to adults and demonstrating good manners.

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need to do better?

n Relationships between staff and parents are strong. Parents comment on how children look forward to attending and enjoy the learning opportunities this unique environment and staff provide. They state that they feel involved in their children's learning because staff communicate well. Staff share ideas and home- learning packs to further encourage children's development at home. Parents acknowledge how this supports children to make good progress. n Leaders and staff develop professional relationships with other settings that the children attend. They share concise information, including essential assessments regarding children's development. This consistent approach to supporting children's development ensures that children make good progress. Equal focus is placed on engaging with other settings when supporting children's transitions. Leaders liaise with local schools, sharing assessments and their extensive

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need to do better?

knowledge of individual children. This supports children to settle well in their new environments. n Children are confident communicators who demonstrate good language skills. Staff promote this well by providing plenty of opportunities for children to practise these skills. For example, children enjoy sociable mealtimes. They sit together with staff, who engage them in discussions.

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need to do better?

18 December 2024 n Leaders and staff demonstrate a good understanding of how children learn best. They develop interesting learning opportunities that are based on children's current interests and support their specific learning needs. For example, children create letters that they will deliver to 'Santa'. They draw pictures of the presents they would like, describing their drawings in detail to staff. The most able children write their lists, with staff on hand to offer support if required. On occasion, however, these planned activities can be rushed and do not always allow children to fully explore their ideas. n Children develop a sense of belonging in their nursery. Staff encourage them to complete age-appropriate tasks during the day and develop skills required for their next stage of learning. For example, children delight at passing out plates and cups to their friends, serving themselves lunch and clearing away

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need to do better?

afterwards. n Leaders reflect well on the care they provide. They use their extensive knowledge to promote children's learning and are committed to enhancing opportunities for children. For example, children of all ages develop empathy and understanding of others by joining together as a group at various points during the day. However, the same robust evaluation is not always evident when identifying ways to further promote staff practice. n Children's safety is well considered in this exciting environment. Risk assessments are regularly updated and reflect the changing environment and differing needs of children, who are learning to support their own safety in this exciting outdoor learning environment. For example, they discuss safety considerations prior to exploring and understand the need to wear their high- visibility jackets when they leave their nursery cabins.

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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 ensure that learning opportunities are consistently well planned and allow children sufficient time to fully explore their ideas n enhance current methods used to monitor staff practice and provide effective coaching opportunities to raise the quality of teaching to an exceptionally high level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2692719 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10368169 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 11 Name of registered person Little Life Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07460729036 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Life Nursery registered in 2022 and operates from within the grounds of Aldenham Country Park in Elstree, Borehamwood. The nursery is open from 8am to 6pm, all year round. It employs three members of childcare staff, all of whom hold early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including two with level 6 qualifications. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

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 the children during activities. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching to assess the impact on the children's learning. n The inspector and leaders 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

18 December 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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