Little Sparrows Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Sparrows Day Nursery Little Sparrows Day Nursery, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire EN8 9EJ

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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 Good

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The provision is outstanding

Leaders and staff are passionate about their roles in providing exceptional quality care and teaching for all children in this predominantly outdoor learning environment. They work incredibly hard to create an ever-evolving setting that allows children to follow their changing interests. For example, craft resources are positioned on trollies. This allows children to move them around the environment, recreating pictures and models based on their observations and interests.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are exceptionally confident, and they delight at completing tasks independently. Toddlers serve themselves meals, use cutlery correctly and pour their own drinks from jugs. Older children wipe tables after eating. They work as a team using dustpans and brushes to sweep up after meals and messy activities. As a result, children develop a deep sense of belonging and take ownership of their learning environment.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They are kind, considerate and demonstrate deep empathy for others. For example, when passing out equipment, children make sure others are given trays first even when it means that they are left without one. Staff place exceptional focus on supporting children's emotional well- being. They devise excellent strategies that support children to gain a robust understanding of their emotions and the impact the resulting behaviours have on others. Children enjoy daily small-group activities with staff where they explore and make sense of their feelings. Throughout the day, children place coins in their 'kindness jar'. These represent the thoughtful acts that they receive or perform for others.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents are of an exceptionally high standard. Parents appreciate the great effort staff and leaders make to engage them in children's learning. Families select activity bags from the 'home learning tree' to take home and share. Together, they explore pertinent topics that support the individual needs of children. Parents regularly visit the nursery to share information about their unique professions, cultures and customs. This develops children's understanding of ways of life beyond their own. n Inspirational leaders are passionate about supporting staff's development. Staff discuss the extensive training programmes they complete and the immense support they receive from leaders. These strategies enable staff to deliver exceptional care and teaching to all children. Staff's well-being is a high priority within the nursery. As a result, staff are happy in their roles and morale remains

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need to do better?

high. n Exceptionally strong induction processes allow children to settle swiftly in their

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need to do better?

21 February 2025 new environments. Staff gather detailed information about children's early experiences during home visits. They use this to plan an environment that supports children's specific needs. Leaders create age-appropriate books for all children prior to them starting. This familiarises them with the environment, staff and the routines they will follow. n Children are competent risk takers who understand how to keep themselves and others safe. Staff provide daily opportunities for children to assess and contribute to creating a safe environment. For example, children create 'base camps' each day in this outdoor learning environment. They discuss the needs of children present and create a safe seating area to hold group sessions throughout the day. Children construct their own climbing apparatus, carefully considering how they can make it safe for all their friends. n All children are exceptionally strong communicators. They demonstrate language

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need to do better?

skills that exceed expected levels for their ages. For example, toddlers confidently explain the difference between 'millipedes' and 'centipedes' when taking visitors on a bug hunt. Staff provide an abundance of opportunities for children to practise these skills. Mealtimes are wonderful, sociable occasions where staff and children share delicious home-cooked meals. They engage in delightful conversations where staff value children's opinions, giving them ample time to discuss their thoughts and ideas. n Staff use children's interests and observations as the basis for their teaching. They build on what children already know and can do and extend their knowledge further. For example, staff embrace children's fascination with how the body works. They explore the impact germs and bacteria have on their bodies. Children demonstrate incredible knowledge and language skills when talking about the positive impact 'white blood cells' and 'platelets' have on their

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need to do better?

blood. Staff then create experiments with glitter where children explore how quickly germs spread and how regular handwashing minimises this.

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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 EY481468 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10372443 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 24 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Little Sparrows Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01992 623222 Date of previous inspection 18 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Little Sparrows Day Nursery re-registered in 2014. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff, of whom seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. This includes the deputy manager, who holds a qualification at level 6. The nursery opens from 7.45am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, apart from bank holidays. It provides funded early education for children aged from nine months to four years old.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector considered the views of parents by speaking to several during the inspection and reviewing feedback letters. 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 leaders completed joint observations of activities 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

21 February 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.

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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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