Skylarks Day Care

Inspection of Batford Day Care Holcroft Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 5BQ

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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 Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish in this nurturing, safe environment. They are extremely well settled and happy. Children are highly engaged, focused and involved in all areas of learning from a young age. The excellent staff are attentive to children's individual needs. Children are supported exceptionally well and make rapid progress. The setting's unique support programme ensures all children make the best possible progress.

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The provision is outstanding

The children's behaviour is exemplary. They have a clear understanding of what is right and wrong. Staff are inspirational role models, and children learn how to be kind and respectful to others. Children play exceptionally well with each other. They are fully involved and engaged and have high levels of well-being.

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The provision is outstanding

There is an outstanding curriculum in place, which is clearly sequenced. The setting is well-resourced and provides an inspiring environment both inside and outside. Children make their own choices and engage in learning experiences that interest them, showing high levels of curiosity. For instance, children search under a wooden log for bugs, using magnifying glasses, and record their findings. Children's learning is continuously extended and challenged by staff. Children learn about the world around them as they explore the outside mud kitchen and tend to the vegetable garden skilfully.

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need to do better?

n Staff have extensive knowledge of children's next steps, which are skilfully woven into the rich and varied curriculum. Well-thought-out activities are planned, which inspire and extend learning. Children exhibit high levels of involvement, persevering for extended periods to achieve their goals. Older children work together independently and collaboratively. They lift a heavy wooden stump together and plan the best way to do this. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive excellent support. Staff undertake training to help them develop their knowledge and understanding of ways to support children with SEND. Staff use observations skilfully to note where further support is required. A highly successful nurture group has been established, providing children with focused and targeted learning opportunities that enable them to make excellent progress. n Leaders are passionate about the links they have made with the wider

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need to do better?

community. Excellent opportunities allow the children to explore the world around them. Daily walks, visits to the allotment and trips to the village shops are all part of the curriculum. Families attend workshops, tea parties and stay- and-play sessions. Children have excellent knowledge of how to care for living

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need to do better?

27 August 2025 things. They know what plants need to grow and handle insects delicately. n Leaders and managers are inspirational. They are highly reflective and proactive in ensuring that all children receive the best possible care and experiences, regardless of their starting points. The manager and staff have extensive knowledge of how children learn, providing an ambitious curriculum and opportunities for learning. Staff's well-being is a clear priority, with leaders fostering a caring and inclusive atmosphere. Staff feel valued and involved in all aspects of the setting. n Parents share positive feedback, praising the leadership and staff team. They comment on the nurturing environment and how quickly children settle in with the caring staff. Parents feel that the outside area is exceptional, and the amount of time children spend outside effectively supports the children's physical experiences. Collaborative working is excellent. Parents are extremely

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need to do better?

well-informed about their child's learning. They contribute to the children's learning through home observations, regular discussions and meeting the key person to help monitor and track children's progress. n Children explore widely and freely, developing skills through well-planned activities to swiftly expand their language and communication. Younger children's early sounds and words are documented, and activities are planned to build on these. Puppets and song boards are skilfully used to engage the younger children, who eagerly join in. n Transitions are thoughtfully planned with robust settling-in sessions as children progress through the setting. The sequence of the curriculum and the next stage of learning are seamless. Children are independent and resilient, as well as becoming fully prepared for moving on to school.

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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 EY301868 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10407607 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 63 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Batford Day Care Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01582713872 Date of previous inspection 14 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

Batford Day Care was registered in 2005. It operates from the same premises as Batford Nursery. The setting employs 20 members of childcare staff. Of these, 14 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The setting is open each weekday, from 7.30am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. It operates a holiday play scheme during school holidays, with the exception of Christmas. The setting provides funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years foundation stage curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector spoke to the deputy, manager and nominated individual about the leadership and management at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector and manager carried out a joint observation to evaluate the quality of education provided. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector, face-to-face and via written testimonials. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of the staff working in the setting.

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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

27 August 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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