Starjumps Nursery

Inspection of Starjumps Nursery The Becc, Shakespeare Drive, BOREHAMWOOD, Hertfordshire WD6 2FD

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children arrive at this nursery happy and excited to start their day. There is a warm, welcoming atmosphere, with hugs and cuddles readily available from the staff. Children very quickly select what they want to do. Staff provide a range of activities and experiences for children to choose from. For example, babies laugh and giggle as they play with cars. They push the button on the cars and watch them scoot across the floor. Toddlers find 'magic beans' linking to the story of 'Jack and the Beanstalk', using tweezers to practise their fine motor skills. Older children retell the story of the 'Runaway Peas' while staff write their ideas down for them. This helps support children's understanding of story writing and that print has meaning.

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The provision is good

The provider has a well-structured curriculum in place, which is designed to support children's personal, social and emotional development and has a clear focus on preparing them for their next stage of development. Older children benefit from targeted support to prepare them for their move to school. Staff use photos of classrooms, books about their teachers and real school uniforms to help children understand and feel confident about the transition. Children behave well. When minor incidents occur, staff respond promptly, using clear and consistent reminders of expectations to help children understand.

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need to do better?

n Staff place a strong emphasis on physical development. Babies build core strength by pulling themselves up at engaging activities. Toddlers use large tweezers to develop fine motor skills, with staff modelling the technique and explaining that it helps to build the small muscles in their hands. Older children create their own obstacle course outdoors, deciding whether to jump, hop or balance to strengthen their larger muscles. n Leaders place importance on developing children's independence in preparation for their next stage of learning. Children confidently hang up their coats and serve themselves breakfast cereals. However, staff do not always make the most of opportunities to extend this further to help all children develop their independence consistently across routines. n Mathematical learning is embedded through everyday activities. Toddlers count while pressing dough, building one-to-one correspondence. Older children

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need to do better?

measure their beanstalks and identify numerals. Children preparing for school take part in a 'plane flying' competition, measure the distances travelled and carefully record the results. n Staff know their key children well and through the curriculum, plan a range of enjoyable activities. They understand what children can do and what they need to do next. However, staff are not always clear about the specific learning

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need to do better?

3 June 2025 intentions behind each activity to help them implement the curriculum effectively so that children make the best possible progress. n Interactions between staff and children are generally strong. Staff encourage children to think critically by asking questions and engaging them in meaningful conversations. For example, when collecting snails, staff prompt children to observe and compare the spirals and colours on the shells. n The children talk positively about their experiences. They say that they 'have fun at nursery' and 'like doing fun things', which reflects the engaging nature of the activities staff plan for them. n All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those in receipt of additional funding, make strong progress from their starting points. Staff work closely with parents and external agencies to provide the support each child

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need to do better?

needs to achieve the best possible outcomes. n Parents are extremely complimentary about the care and education their children receive. They feel well informed about their child's experiences and value the advice they receive on how to support learning at home. Parents appreciate opportunities to join their children in nursery activities and praise the open-door policy that enables ongoing communication with key staff, alongside the planned regular meetings. n Leaders know their staff well. Staff receive a thorough induction and benefit from regular supervision. They report feeling very well supported by leaders and each other. They value the strong focus on staff well-being and feel confident to seek help if needed.

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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 support staff to fully understand the intent of the planned activities and what they want children to learn from them in order to strengthen the curriculum n guide staff to support children's personal, social and emotional development further to build on their growing independence.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY376291 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10392455 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 70

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Name of registered person

InspireAll Leisure and Family Support Services

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reference number

Telephone number 0208 2367564 Date of previous inspection 23 August 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Starjumps Nursery registered in 2008. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold early years qualifications at level 2, and 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 50 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm Monday to Thursday, and 8am until 3pm on Friday. The nursery provides funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the aims of the curriculum and what they want children to learn. 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 Members of staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and the children. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and considered their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of the staff working in the nursery.

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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

3 June 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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