Little Raccoons Day Nursery Ltd

Inspection of Little Raccoons Day Nursery Ltd 105a Sandringham Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD24 7FQ

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and confident and make good progress in this welcoming nursery. Staff build secure attachments, which enables children to explore their surroundings with assurance and enthusiasm. They support children to express their needs and wishes clearly. Children's voices are consistently heard and acknowledged by staff. They vote for a 'book of the week' they would like to read and can choose freely from a wide range of activities. Staff provide a rich environment where children are motivated to learn. Children enjoy exploring blocks of ice with flowers frozen inside and make marks with paint using different tools. The outside area helps children to build on their physical development as they navigate over obstacle courses and learn about planting.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff embed 'golden rules' throughout the nursery. Children learn to use 'kind hands' and 'walking feet' and are consistently supported to use good manners. Staff routinely support children to take turns and work closely with families to implement shared behaviour strategies to promote and reinforce positive behaviour. Children learn about diversity. Staff build on themes in books and promote discussion, helping children to recognise and value their own and others' uniqueness. They use mirrors to look at similarities and differences on their faces, helping children to develop a strong sense of identity.

p.2

need to do better?

n The curriculum is designed with a strong focus on developing children to be independent and confident learners who are well prepared for school. Staff plan activities around children's emerging interests and developmental needs. For example, fine motor development is well supported through engaging activities such as peeling onions and garlic in the home corner and using scissors and tools during mark-making and craft activities. n Staff interactions are of high quality. They actively engage in children's play and support language development. They introduce words such as 'sticky' as children make their own dough. Staff promote critical thinking and problem solving by encouraging children to predict how much water to add and reflect on the outcomes. Occasionally, staff do not always provide clear explanations when teaching new information to help deepen children's understanding. n Staff demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting children with special

p.2

need to do better?

educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring their individual needs are met through tailored and inclusive practice. Collaborative work with external professionals, including occupational therapists, ensures that specialist input is embedded into daily routines. Children with SEND are fully included in all aspects of the provision, with staff carefully considering and adapting activities to suit their needs and preferences, ensuring every child can thrive.

p.2

need to do better?

16 April 2025 n The nursery makes good use of the local community to enhance children's learning. Pre-school children visit the library monthly, while younger children explore their local environment through trips to the corner shop to buy ingredients. Extra-curricular activities, such as music and singing sessions, further enrich children's learning experiences. n Independence is actively promoted, with children supported to manage personal hygiene routines such as nose-wiping and handwashing. Resources such as tissues are made accessible, enabling children to take responsibility for their self- care. Independence is further promoted at lunchtime as children collect their own food and scrape their plates when finished, supporting children to establish essential skills required for the next stage of their education. n Parents speak highly of the nursery. They feel well informed about their child's learning and development through regular feedback from staff, and parents'

p.2

need to do better?

evenings offer regular opportunities to discuss next steps for their children. Events such as Mother's Day and Christmas further invite parents into the life of the nursery and provide opportunities to be part of their children's learning. n Leaders demonstrate ambition and commitment to supporting the staff team. Effective monitoring systems are in place to ensure that staff are well supported, with regular supervision and observations to monitor practice. Staff have access to a wide variety of bespoke training, which ensures their knowledge remains current and has a direct impact on practice. Leaders place a strong emphasis on staff well-being and are proactive in offering support. Initiatives such as employee of the month help staff to feel valued and appreciated.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n support staff in providing clear explanations to help children build on their understanding of new knowledge even further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY432662 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10388277 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person Little Raccoons Nursery Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01923 800 711 Date of previous inspection 4 July 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Raccoons Day Nursery Ltd registered in 2011. The provider employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays and a week at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for eligible children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation of an activity in the pre-school room. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. The inspector spoke with parents and carers during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of the staff working in the nursery and a selection of other records.

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

16 April 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