THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The children in this setting are strongly valued and have an excellent sense of belonging. Staff promote an extremely warm and homely atmosphere where children are individually welcomed. Children's individual likes and dislikes are carefully obtained prior to admission which enables staff to know all children well and meet their individual needs. Each child has a family gallery displayed on the wall and children are encouraged to discuss their home lives, this helps them feel accepted and part of the community. The nursery has established strong community links through fundraising events and local visits. Children learn about other cultures and beliefs as the setting is extremely proactive in discussing the children's lives and experiences. They learn through a range of exciting hands-on experiences such as cooking, tasting and art and craft. The setting actively involves parents as they invite them in to share their cultural resources. A wide range of resources such as posters, figures and dressing-up clothes are used to reflect wider society and help children understand their differences and similarities. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff are calm, consistent and provide excellent role models. Simple, sensible nursery rules are displayed on a colourful poster at child height. The staff proactively teach good manners and promote an extremely respectful atmosphere

The leadership and management is outstanding. The nursery is privately owned and led by two managers who are extremely well qualified and work daily within the nursery. They lead a dynamic team of energetic and enthusiastic staff who are strongly committed to their ongoing professional development. Consequently, children are cared for by long-serving staff who have a high regard for the well-being of all children. Staff meet regularly to review the curriculum planning to ensure that the nursery education is monitored and adapted accordingly. As a result children continue to make excellent progress towards the early learning goals. Staff are extremely forward thinking and continuously monitor the provision to highlight strengths and weaknesses. This ensures that the nursery continues to improve and children consistently make good progress. The excellent appraisal system ensures that the nursery's comprehensive policies and procedures are consistently applied. All required docs and consents are in place to ensure children are looked after according to their parents' wishes.

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is promoted well because staff follow thorough and consistent procedures that are documented and proactively shared with parents. Policies regarding health and infection control are clearly displayed and shared with parents.

Children's dietary needs are met very well. Freshly cooked hot meals are prepared in the clean and hygienic kitchen by an experienced cook. Individual dietary requirements are recorded clearly in written agreements and planned for carefully by the forward thinking cook.

The food is healthy, nutritious and prepared properly from fresh, quality ingredients, balanced menus are planned and shared with parents. Freshly chopped fruit and plain biscuits are provided for snacks with a choice of milk or fruit juice. Children remain well-hydrated throughout the day as fresh drinking water is freely available for them to independently access. Children have named colourful bottles with small illustrations beside their name to guide them to their personal bottle.

High House Farm

Takeley Rd., Mill End, Takeley,

Bishop's Stortford Herts.,CM22 6PL

Tel. UK 44 (0) 1279 870898

email: Highhouse Nursery

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children are extremely well motivated to learn through the extensive range of resources that support their care, learning and play. Children are very warmly welcomed by caring and friendly staff who are genuinely pleased to see them and know them well. They greet each child individually and offer a warm and tactile welcome. The nursery are proactive and sensitive in tailoring and providing settling-in support to suit the needs of each family. Consequently, children settle confidently to the wide range of appealing activities. Exciting and hands-on activities are available for children to choose from. These include foam, water, gloop and paint and provide tactile and sensory experiences that the children clearly relish. Staff have a comprehensive understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and are clearly aware of younger children's needs. Meaningful and relevant records that are clearly linked to the relevant framework are shared proactively with parents.

Nursery Education

The quality of teaching and learning is good. The staff have a good knowledge of the Foundation Stage and how children learn. They contribute to the topic-based plans which are broken down and clearly linked to stepping stones in weekly plans. Staff help children extend their learning by asking open-ended questions. These are displayed all around the room, reminding staff of ideas to help children think and learn.

The partnership with parents and carers is outstanding.

Children are forming good relationships with adults and peers. They work well as part of a small group as they play in the sand tray cooperating with one another to develop an imaginary cooking game. Children are developing good self-care skills as staff skilfully support them. They put on outdoor shoes and manage their personal hygiene needs competently. They learn to do up a range of fastenings as they put on coats to go outside and staff teach them how to zip and fasten their coats. Cultural and traditional days are planned for such as Chinese New Year which encourages children to respect the views and beliefs of others.

Our picnic in the garden

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming environment that is safe and adequately maintained. The nursery has extensive grounds in a rural location and comprises a main house, a barn and a baby unit. All rooms in the nursery are softly furnished which gives a cosy environment in which children can play, eat and sleep comfortably. The nursery has been attractively decorated with photographs and pictures to give defined areas that are child-friendly and colourful. A good range of resources are stored at a low-level which promotes children's independence and decision making. Toy boxes are labelled with pictures and text, these provide a balanced range of activities that are interactive and promote children's learning in all areas. Toys for younger children are stimulating and well planned to provide a range of sensory experiences. Treasure baskets have been developed to provide a range of natural household objects and materials. Equipment is well maintained and checked regularly to ensure it is safe.

Highhouse day nursery childrenplaying in the sand pit

High House Day Nursery Established since 1985

Welcome to High House Day Nursery Ltd.

Ofsted Report 2008

Some highlights from our report, the full report can be read on line at the link as above