Playschool Nursery St Albans

Inspection of Playschool Nursery St Albans Playschool House, Alma Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 3AR

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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 settle well and enjoy their time exploring this interesting and vibrant nursery. They engage well in the wealth of play opportunities that leaders and staff plan around their varied ages, interests and learning needs. All children enjoy daily sessions of outdoor play to develop their physical skills. Staff provide an indoor garden that allows children to explore concepts, such as growth and decay They have a well-considered sensory room that encourages children to explore their feelings and begin to regulate their emotions.

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The provision is good

Children are learning to be independent in age-appropriate ways. Staff encourage them to complete tasks throughout the day. Young children change their shoes on arrival and place them in containers before joining their friends in play. Staff encourage older children to take on roles of responsibility in their rooms. They assign themselves tasks such as 'line organiser' when moving around the nursery, and 'soft-play tidier' when organising their environment. These small yet significant responsibilities support children's growing confidence.

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The provision is good

Staff implement the nursery's core values well across all rooms. All staff model polite and respectful behaviour towards children. Older children can refer to these values on the colourful displays they have created about them. These expectations are shared with parents to provide a consistent approach to supporting children's behaviour. As a result, children behave well and are kind and helpful towards their friends.

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need to do better?

n Leaders reflect well on practice and continuously evaluate the care they provide. They seek feedback from other professionals and consider the input and ideas that parents provide. For example, leaders provide opportunities for families to spend time in the nursery, exploring the environment. They share comprehensive information with parents about their children's learning and progress. n Staff in all rooms are sensitive to children's emotional needs and well-being. They introduce age-appropriate strategies that support children to feel secure and confident. For example, babies and young children form close attachments to nurturing staff in a warm, homely environment. Older children explore their changing emotions during regular group sessions throughout the day. n Staff provide children with a wealth of age-appropriate resources and activities. They adapt their teaching well to meet the learning needs of individual children.

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need to do better?

For example, older children solve simple mathematical problems during a modelling dough activity. Those children who are not yet able to do this, create shapes out of dough and identify their unique features. On occasion, staff

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need to do better?

9 June 2025 working with older children do not always respond to children's changing interests during planned activities. This means that they can miss rich opportunities to enhance children's knowledge about their current fascinations. n Children are developing a strong understanding of their personal safety. Older children remind one another of expected behaviours and how this keeps them safe. For example, when walking down the stairs, children discuss the importance of using 'walking feet' and sing a song they made up about holding onto the banister. During mealtimes, children talk confidently about the allergies they and their friends have and the importance of not sharing food. n The team of staff are well qualified and committed to enhancing their knowledge and skills. Right from the start of their journey in the nursery, leaders work with staff to establish career aspirations. Regular supervisions and formal appraisals

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need to do better?

ensure staff remain focused on their goals. For example, staff have access to a wealth of online training opportunities. In some rooms, this same robust coaching is not always evident, specifically when supporting the practice of leaders. n Robust processes are in place that support children to settle well in the nursery. Leaders and key staff gather vital information about children's early experiences, including their interests, cultures and customs. They consider this well when planning appropriate and exciting activities. Children's progression through the nursery is conducted in a sensitive manner and reflects their different needs. Children spend increasing periods of time in their new environment with their key person on hand for support before progressing permanently. Where necessary, staff will move rooms with children to provide more long-term support. n Children of all ages are confident communicators. Young children enjoy sociable

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need to do better?

mealtimes, where staff chat to them, role modelling new words based around the textures and tastes of the foods they eat. Older children enjoy regular group sessions, where they discuss the favourite toys they bring in from home.

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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 consider ways to further incorporate children's changing interests into staff's teaching, particularly during planned activities with older children n enhance current methods of coaching and mentoring to further promote the skills and knowledge of room leaders.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY438929 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10406698 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 90 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person Playschool Nursery (St Albans) LLP

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reference number

Telephone number 01727844477 Date of previous inspection 16 December 2021

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Information about this early years setting

Playschool Nursery St Albans registered in 2011. The nursery employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including four staff who have early years qualifications at level 6 or 7. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am until 6.30pm. It provides 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 them during the inspection. 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 leaders and 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

9 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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