Little Hedgehogs Preschool

Little Hedgehogs Preschool

Unique reference number (URN): 2800809 Address: Church Road, Boreham, Essex, CM3 3EB Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registered with Ofsted: 21/08/2024 Registers: EYR Registered person: Little Hedgehogs Day Nurseries Ltd

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Leadership and governance Expected standard

The provider demonstrates a secure and comprehensive understanding of her responsibility to keep children safe. She explains how robust safeguarding policies and procedures are in place and reviewed regularly. The provider describes how this ensures that they remain effective and reflect current guidance and legislation. She describes how they have successfully established a safeguarding culture across the setting, where children's safety, welfare and wellbeing are consistently prioritised. The provider undertakes regular safeguarding training to keep her knowledge and skills up to date. She explains how she ensures that all staff receive appropriate guidance, supervision sessions and support to understand the safeguarding expectations and confidently implement them into practice.

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Leadership and governance Expected standard

The provider demonstrates through discussion that she is highly ambitious, reflective and driven by a clear vision for the setting. Drawing on her experience and expertise, she explains how she continually seeks ways to enhance the quality of education and improve outcomes for children. The provider describes how she has developed an ambitious, inclusive and well-sequenced curriculum that encompasses all areas of learning and development.

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Leadership and governance Expected standard

The provider demonstrates a secure understanding of how to lead, mentor and support staff to ensure that her vision is consistently implemented to a high standard throughout the setting. For example, the provider discusses how she has established effective systems to gain a thorough understanding of each child's individual needs from the outset. As part of the induction process, she explains that staff complete baseline assessments in partnership with parents and carers when children first join the setting. The provider discusses how this enables staff to develop a comprehensive understanding of children's starting points, interests, family circumstances and learning needs. She discusses how the information gathered is then used to plan tailored learning experiences and establish collaborative partnerships with families. Where additional support is required, the provider explains that staff ensure targeted interventions and appropriate adaptations are implemented promptly to

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Leadership and governance Expected standard

meet children's individual needs and help them to achieve their full potential.

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Leadership and governance Expected standard

The provider is deeply committed to continuous improvement. She recognises the significant impact that professional development has on the quality of teaching and learning. The provider actively seeks out relevant training opportunities to enhance her own knowledge and skills. She explains how she promotes a culture of professional growth across the setting. The provider ensures that staff benefit from regular coaching and professional development opportunities that strengthen their practice and improve outcomes for children. The provider places a strong emphasis on staff wellbeing and takes proactive steps to ensure workloads are managed effectively. Through her supportive and considerate approach, she describes that generally staff feel valued, well supported and able to maintain a positive work–life balance.

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Leadership and governance Expected standard

The provider explains how staff maintain partnerships with parents, local professionals and wider community networks. She describes how she uses these relationships to share knowledge, exchange ideas and further enhance provision. The provider discusses how she strives to ensure that every child receives high-quality care and education and the very best start to their learning journey.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the provider during this inspection.

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Address:

Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Address:

Registered person: Little Hedgehogs Day Nurseries Ltd

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Address:

Operating hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 09:00 - 16:00

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Facts and figures used on inspection

This data was available to the inspector at the time of the inspection.

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Facts and figures used on inspection

This data is from 8 July 2026 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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Facts and figures used on inspection

There were no early years children on roll at the time of this inspection. The findings of this report are based on evidence gathered from discussions with the provider and an inspection of the premises, equipment and any relevant documentation. When there are no early years children present, inspectors evaluate and grade only leadership and governance, as there is no reliable evidence from other evaluation areas through which to assess the impact on children.

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Exceptional

Practice is exceptional: of the highest standard nationally. Other settings can learn from it.

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Strong standard

The setting reaches a strong standard. Leaders are working above the standard expected of them.

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Expected standard

The setting is fulfilling the expected standard of education and/or care. This means they are following the standard set out in statutory and non ‑ statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them.

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Needs attention

The expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements.

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Urgent improvement

The setting needs to make urgent improvements to provide the expected standard of education and/or care.

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Urgent improvement

services providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.

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Urgent improvement

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Urgent improvement

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Urgent improvement

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Urgent improvement

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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