Ashbourne Day Nurseries at Bricket Wood

Inspection of Ashbourne Day Nurseries at Bricket Wood St. Stephens Parish Centre, Station Road, Bricket Wood, St. Albans AL2 3PJ

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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 are eager to arrive and explore the wealth of exciting learning opportunities in this small and friendly nursery. Enthusiastic leaders and staff are waiting to greet families on arrival. They use this as an opportunity to catch up with children and parents about key events at home and discuss upcoming events. These warm interactions support children to feel secure and settle well in their learning environment.

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The provision is good

Staff have a flexible approach to planning children's learning. They create a wealth of exciting activities and learning opportunities based on children's ever-changing interests. Children play an active role in determining what they learn. They discuss topics of interests that staff skilfully incorporate into their planning. For example, children are excited about creating 'potions' with flowers and plants based on their current favourite story book.

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The provision is good

Children are learning to be independent in age-appropriate ways. Staff encourage children to complete tasks and take on roles of responsibility in the nursery. For example, babies identify their photos at mealtimes and place them on their chairs. Older children serve themselves meals, use cutlery with ease and complete essential hygiene routines with minimal help from staff. These small yet significant responsibilities support children's growing confidence.

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need to do better?

n Having undergone recent changes in leadership, the current management team are passionate about their role in promoting children's learning. They have worked hard to develop a robust curriculum that is well implemented by staff across all areas of the setting. Staff demonstrate a deep understanding of children's different learning needs. Babies form close attachments with staff, whose nurturing approach allows them to feel safe and secure in their environment. Older children are encouraged to be independent, completing tasks that prepare them well for their next stage of learning. n Children's safety is paramount. Staff complete robust risk assessments on all areas of the environment. They are aware of potential hazards and consider this well when planning exciting activities that support children's interests and learning. For example, older children explore intricate beads in a safe environment where babies cannot access them.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents are strong and respectful. Families receive regular home learning packs that provide support in specific areas, such as toilet training and preparing children for school. Children look forward to taking home the setting's mascot, 'Ashley Bear'. They document and share their adventures with their friends during circle time. Parents attend regular stay-and-play sessions,

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need to do better?

17 April 2025 where they gather a more detailed insight into children's learning and how they can further promote this at home. n Staff routinely adapt children's learning during activities to meet the varied needs of those involved. For example, during water play, staff encourage babies to mimic the sounds they make when splashing their hands in the water. Older children explore how they can channel the water into vessels using different lengths of piping. As a result, all activities provide appropriate challenge and support children to remain engaged in play, developing a positive attitude to their learning. n Children generally behave well, are kind and demonstrate good manners. Staff use daily group sessions to develop children's understanding of appropriate behaviours and the impact these have on their friends. Older children show empathy for their younger friends and are considerate of their needs during

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need to do better?

activities. However, at key moments during the day, staff are not always deployed appropriately. For example, when staff administer sun cream prior to outdoor play, children become restless, which can lead to unwanted behaviour. n Staff are committed to enhancing their skills and acknowledge the positive impact this has on children's development. Leaders support this enthusiasm well by providing precise training opportunities based on staff's interests and needs. They conduct regular supervisions to identify strengths and areas of development in staff practice. However, a more consistent approach to ongoing coaching will allow staff to identify ways they can enhance their interactions with children and promote their learning further.

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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 reassess staff deployment at key times during the day to ensure children are engaged with staff who are able to fully support their learning and behaviour n further promote staff skills and knowledge by establishing effective means of coaching and mentoring.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2720209 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10388660 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 28 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Ashbourne Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01923 279999 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Ashbourne Day Nurseries at Bricket Wood re-registered in 2023. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff, four of whom hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6pm. The setting offers the government funded places for all eligible children.

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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 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 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

17 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.

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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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