Squirrels Nurseries (Welwyn)

Inspection of Squirrels Nurseries (Welwyn) Oak Tree Children's Centre, Holwell Road, WELWYN GARDEN CITY, Hertfordshire AL7 3RP

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children of all ages flourish in this vibrant environment. Leaders and staff construct and deliver a curriculum that provides children with an abundance of opportunities to support their future learning. Babies develop their physical skills and curiosity, exploring sensory and climbing equipment. Older children learn to manage risks and take turns exploring their vast and interesting garden. Mathematical and language teaching is threaded through every aspect of nursery life in age- appropriate ways. Babies and young children stack objects with staff expertly role modelling simple mathematical language. Older children engage in enthusiastic discussions comparing their different heights and shapes when drawing around their friends using chalk.

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The provision is outstanding

Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure right from the beginning of their journey. Babies form exceptionally close bonds with caring staff, who are always on hand to soothe them with cuddles and nurturing interactions. Older children confidently show visitors around their learning environment. They discuss their favourite activities, explaining what they learn and why. For example, children recall making healthy lemonade. They enthusiastically explain how squeezing lemons and pouring fizzy water helps their hands grow strong, preparing them for holding pencils and writing at school.

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The provision is outstanding

A highly effective key-person system ensures all children are cared for by strong role models who have a deep understanding of children's individual circumstances. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities have particularly close relationships with highly skilled staff and other professionals. As a result, all children make exceptional progress.

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need to do better?

n Children are exceptionally curious because staff encourage them to explore their thoughts and provide activities and resources that promote their critical thinking skills. For example, young children make their own modelling dough, exploring the different textures they create. Older children enjoy making pretend cupcakes, comparing how the different ingredients affect the textures and fragrances of their 'cakes'. n Children are exceptionally skilled communicators. Staff embrace age-appropriate strategies that support children to develop a wide vocabulary that they use with confidence. Babies babble, beaming at the responses they get from staff. Older children engage with adults, confidently expressing their ideas and observations. For example, children chat about the 'squishy' modelling dough they are making and observe the 'frothy' potions they create. They enthusiastically identify rhyming words during discussions with staff and suggest other words to follow

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need to do better?

23 July 2025 the pattern. n Partnerships with parents are exceptional. All parents praise leaders and staff about their precise knowledge of children. They deeply appreciate how staff embrace children's unique characters in order to support their development in exceptional ways. Parents appreciate how leaders establish supportive networks among families and within the nursery. They acknowledge the positive impact this has on their parenting skills and well-being. n Leaders and staff develop incredibly close and respectful working relationships with staff at the partner maintained nursery school with whom they share responsibility for children's care. They work exceptionally closely when reflecting on children's progress, assessing their abilities and planning their future learning. These collaborative strategies support all children to make excellent progress from their starting points. n Children demonstrate perseverance and resilience when faced with challenges.

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need to do better?

Staff encourage them to assess situations before exploring how to best achieve their desired outcomes. For example, children and staff discuss how to best navigate challenging outdoor play equipment safely, sharing their joy when children complete these tasks. Furthermore, children are observed routinely providing this same support and encouragement to their friends. This allows all children to develop an incredibly positive attitude to their learning. n Leaders are committed to enhancing practice with exceptional levels of reflection and evaluation. Highly qualified, skilled leaders seek out additional strategies to promote their knowledge and that of the team. For example, all staff complete additional training around promoting children's communication development, in particular that of babies. They understand the importance of this in relation to the changing cohort of children who attend. n All children look forward to their next stage of learning, embracing these

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need to do better?

changes with confidence and enthusiasm. Transitions through the nursery are very well planned, with a member of staff moving to new rooms prior to children. This allows them to settle in, share information and provide a bespoke approach to supporting individual children. As a result, all children settle swiftly in their new environments and continue making exceptional progress.

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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 EY276945 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10399768 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 86 Number of children on roll 123 Name of registered person Squirrels Day Nurseries (Welwyn)

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reference number

Telephone number 01707 391797 Date of previous inspection 13 December 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Squirrels Nurseries (Welwyn) registered in 2003. The nursery employs 23 members of staff. Of these, 12 staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above, including two staff who hold early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 48 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. The nursery 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 several during the inspection and reviewing feedback letters. 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

23 July 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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