Home from Home Day Nursery Academy Ltd

Inspection of Home from Home Day Nursery Academy Ltd Home From Home, 52a Bernard Street, St. Albans AL3 5QN

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in the well-organised nursery. They enthusiastically follow their interests while they explore and investigate the resources and environment. Using their skills and knowledge of how children learn, staff help to inspire and encourage children throughout the day. Staff use their acute knowledge of children's individual learning needs and preferences of where and how they learn best of all. This helps to focus their challenges and teaching to support children's rapid progress effectively. For example, staff encourage children to use chalks to create shapes on a large scale in the outside space. This supports young children's development in early writing and mathematics.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children are exceptionally well supported to begin to recognise their feelings and emotions. Staff teach them strategies to help them regulate their reactions through structured activities such as yoga. Children recall the breathing techniques they have been taught when they feel their emotions building, helping them to regulate their bodies and feelings. Children spontaneously think about how they can resolve minor disputes themselves. For example, they find sand timers to facilitate sharing. Staff remind children to explain to their peers why they have placed the timer near them, allowing children to articulate their desire to take turns and to share in a positive way. This contributes to the harmonious and industrious environment.

p.2

need to do better?

n Babies and very young children have plenty of space to move around. Babies crawl to enticing baskets and resources and sit on the laps of the nurturing staff while they share books together. Staff repeat the babbles and early words babies make, helping them understand the concept of two-way communication. Young children move their bodies in delight while staff sing lively nursery rhymes. They join in with familiar words and actions and wait in anticipation for the next song. Older children help to recall traditional tales and favourite stories. They use props to help them remember the sequence of events, embellishing the story with exciting adjectives. By the time children leave for school, they are articulate, confident and highly independent learners. n Staff work exceptionally well together. They hold frequent meetings and 'huddles' to discuss how they are going to incorporate targeted teaching

p.2

need to do better?

methods to meet the learning needs of each child. This helps to put the well- planned and sequenced curriculum at the heart of the nursery. Providers have high expectations of staff. They have established highly robust systems for professional development that build autonomy and a deep understanding of how children learn effectively. As a result, all staff take responsibility to help ensure children make rapid progress in a safe and stimulating environment. n Staff sensitively ensure transitions into and through the nursery help children

p.2

need to do better?

30 January 2025 feel safe and secure. Before children and babies join the nursery, staff visit them at home. They find out from parents about children's daily routines and interests and become a familiar face for children to recognise when they first arrive at nursery. Babies follow the care patterns they have already established at home, contributing to their security. When staff feel children are ready to move through to another group, key persons take them to spend time in their new environment. Staff provide resources and activities that can be found in their new room within the surroundings that children already know, allowing them to extend their learning experiences in different ways. As a result, by the time children make the final move to their new room, they are ready to embrace even more challenges. n Partnerships with parents are very strong. Parents are welcome to join a committee along with staff. They share ideas and express their experiences in

p.2

need to do better?

the nursery. These contribute to the continual adaptations and enhancements staff make. Parents report that they feel valued and recognise the role they play in continuing to support their children's learning at home. Providers send regular newsletters, which complement the information parents also receive through a secure electronic system and through the conversations they have with key persons. n Staff demonstrate the respect they have for children through their conversations and actions. Unless absolutely necessary, babies and young children find a natural conclusion in their explorations or activities before they are invited to have a 'freshen up' with a change of nappy. Older children are supported to make decisions for themselves about when they need to eat or rest, helping them make independent choices about their care. They understand why they need to wash their hands and brush their teeth, contributing to positive attitudes

p.3

need to do better?

towards health and hygiene. n Children enjoy routine trips and exciting outings staff take them on. Regular visits to a community craft club for the elderly enable children to interact with people of an older generation. Staff make the most of local spaces and national exhibitions, helping to trigger further learning. The trips are purposeful and tailored to the group of children. For example, while babies are immersed in the sensory aspect of 'the moon' visiting the cathedral, older children focus on the accompanying artwork within the exhibition.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2690482 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10372228 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 76 Number of children on roll 73 Name of registered person Home from Home Day Nursery Academy Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01727811212 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Home from Home Day Nursery Academy Ltd re-registered in 2022. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6.15pm, all year, except for bank holidays. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff, of whom 12 hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery provides government funded early education for all those who are eligible.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector observed activities inside the group rooms and in the outside area. She spoke to staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n Leaders took the inspector on a learning walk of the nursery. They described the curriculum that children experience. n The inspector and directors watched an activity and discussed the quality of teaching they saw. n The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including the evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Senior leaders held a meeting with the inspector. n The inspector read responses to questionnaires, read emails to the inspector and spoke to a small number of parents. She took their views into consideration.

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

30 January 2025 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