Be Me Day Nursery Ridgmont Road

Inspection of Be Me Day Nursery Ridgmont Road 33a Ridgmont Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 3AH

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Leaders and staff create a warm and nurturing environment, where children feel safe and valued. Children form secure attachments through a well-established key- person system, which supports their well-being and fosters their growing independence. Staff develop a strong understanding of children in their care. They take time to learn about each child's preferences, routines at home and build on early observations. As a result, children feel safe, valued and they thrive in the setting, which supports positive behaviour.

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The provision is good

Children flourish through an ambitious, well-structured curriculum, carefully designed by leaders to reflect their interests and foster a love for books. Staff enhance this through stimulating, hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and inspire learning. For example, children show great enthusiasm as they mix food colouring to create new colours while making play dough, and they delight in playing 'guess the smell' as they explore different essences.

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The provision is good

Leaders and staff work closely with outside professionals to ensure all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), receive the support they need. All children make good progress in this vibrant and inclusive learning environment.

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The provision is good

Children interact cooperatively throughout the setting, and their behaviour is consistently good. Staff set high expectations for conduct, demonstrating positive behaviours themselves and guiding children to understand right from wrong. This approach is evident in the children's respectful attitudes and positive behaviour.

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need to do better?

n Staff place a strong emphasis on developing communication and literacy skills throughout the setting. Babies benefit from a running commentary and simple questions that support their early language development, while older children are encouraged to explore ideas and explain their thinking. All children engage with a 'book of the month', which is supported by a range of thoughtfully planned, multisensory activities to extend learning. Staff consistently engage in conversations with children, which supports both language acquisition and cognitive growth. On some occasions, staff do not give children sufficient time to process and respond to questions before staff move on or provide the answer. This limits opportunities for children to practise and demonstrate their newly acquired language and understanding. n Children are encouraged to express their preferences and opinions in meaningful ways, with staff actively listening to and valuing their voices. For example,

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need to do better?

children vote for the 'book of the month' and help decide on future topics to

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need to do better?

30 July 2025 explore. This inclusive approach boosts their confidence and self-esteem and helps them develop an early understanding of democratic values. n Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle through daily outdoor play, engaging in fresh air and physical activities that support their well-being. They ride wheeled toys, make 'spinach soup' in the mud kitchen and create a car wash while out in the garden. Children enjoy freshly prepared nutritious meals and snacks each day, catering to individual dietary needs. n Music is used by all staff to support language development, help children to regulate their behaviour and to enhance listening skills. However, there are occasions when too much adult talk can reduce children's chances to listen attentively, think independently and express their own ideas. n Children's independence and confidence are a central focus across the setting. From the earliest stages, staff actively encourage children to take initiative and

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need to do better?

do things on their own. For example, babies attempt to serve themselves vegetables at lunchtime, toddlers pour their own water and children in the pre- school room change their clothes themselves for PE. As a result, children are well prepared for the next stage in their education. n Leaders build strong relationships with parents. Staff make effective use of drop off and collection times to share important information about each child. Parents are actively involved in their children's learning and development, helping to ensure a consistent approach between home and nursery that supports ongoing progress and well-being. Parents speak positively about the staff, expressing gratitude for the support provided and valuing the regular updates on their child's development. n Leaders are passionate about early education and view their dedicated staff as the setting's greatest strength. They offer professional and personal support,

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need to do better?

and staff speak highly of the setting, describing it as a special place to work and expressing gratitude for a leadership team that truly values and respects them.

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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 in how they communicate with children during activities so that children can concentrate and listen attentively and so staff can provide time for children to process information and respond.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY434599 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10399875 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 70 Number of children on roll 96 Name of registered person Ridgmont Road Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07817949093 Date of previous inspection 18 December 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Be Me Day Nursery Ridgmont Road registered in 2011. The nursery employs 33 members of childcare staff. Of these, 20 have early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery operates from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector went on a learning walk around the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education both indoors and outdoors and considered the impact it was having on children's learning. n Staff spoke to the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection and the inspector took account of their views. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint inspection of an activity. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n Several parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector during the inspection.

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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

30 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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