Forest Hill Nursery

Forest Hill Nursery Living Springs International Church, 8-10 Devonshire Road, London SE23 3TJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 October 2015 4 November 2014

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Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 Leaders and managers do not have systems in place to ensure there are sufficient well- qualified staff on duty at all times, particularly when staff are absent. There are not always enough staff present to meet children’s needs fully and support their learning.  Some staff are more skilled than others in planning activities to challenge children and extend their learning to ensure they all make the best progress possible.  Staff do not make the best use of all available space to provide opportunities for children to enhance their physical development. For example, the large airy upstairs room is only used for short periods during the day.

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It has the following strengths

 Babies form secure relationships with the adults who care for them. They explore their surroundings confidently and are keen to investigate the interesting activities on offer.  Staff in the Toddler room make good use of their training to promote children's language and communication. As a result, children who are learning to speak English as an additional language progress well and catch up quickly.  Mealtimes are used effectively by staff to model good manners, encourage children's independence in serving themselves and promote an understanding of healthy eating. Careful attention is given to meeting children's specific dietary needs and preferences.  Leaders and manager monitor accident records regularly and take prompt action when any concerns about children’s safety are identified.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure systems are in place to cover any staffing absences promptly and ensure there are always sufficient staff present to meet the needs of all children fully and support their learning effectively. 12/10/2015

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Due Date

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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Due Date

 extend opportunities for children to develop their physical skills, particularly by making the best use of available space indoors and increasing outdoor activities  continue to improve the quality of teaching for older children so that staff plan activities which challenge, motivate and extend children’s learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in each of the play areas and in the upstairs room.  The inspector spoke with children and staff at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager.  The inspector talked with parents and took their views into account.  The inspector reviewed a range of documentation including health and safety records, children's assessment records, planning, staff files, evidence of checks regarding suitability to work with children and sampled policies and procedures including the safeguarding policy.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Safeguarding arrangements are effective. Leaders follow recruitment processes rigorously to confirm staff’s suitability for their role. Clear induction procedures ensure staff have sufficient understanding of their responsibility to help keep children safe and how to report any concerns about a child. Staff find supervision supportive in helping to improve their practice as the manager has a sound understanding of how children learn. Training has been suitably focused on developing the role of key persons in observing, assessing and planning for children’s learning. These measures have had some success as teaching has improved but is still variable. There are not always sufficient staff present to promote children's learning effectively and ensure planned daily outings take place. The manager evaluates provision accurately and recognises what needs to improve.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Activities in the baby and toddler rooms are carefully planned to support children to reach individual targets linked to each area of learning. These children make good progress. Staff ask pertinent questions to extend children’s thinking and introduce additional ideas to their play. Planning for learning in the pre-school room is less effective as activities are not sufficiently interesting to engage and motivate children. At times, children wander around, unsure of what to do. During the inspection, some toddlers were moved to the pre-school room because of staffing difficulties. There were also several changes of staff in this room, which was unsettling for all the children. However, children are developing some of the skills they need for school. They listen attentively to stories, join in with familiar songs and work well together when completing jigsaws. Most children show pride in what they do as

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

staff are quick to praise their achievements. Babies recognise when they do well in stacking rings on a stand and clap their own successful efforts. Parents feel well informed about their child’s learning and know how to support development at home.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Babies develop their walking and climbing skills well using soft-play equipment in their own room. Older children have fewer opportunities for regular physical play. Plans to create an outdoor play area on site are progressing slowly. Visual displays and carefully planned activities help children to develop an understanding of the wider world as they learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others. Children generally behave well. Staff provide clear explanations of expected behaviour and are persistent in ensuring children understand why some actions are unsafe. Key persons follow babies’ care routines sensitively, for example at sleep times, ensuring good continuity between home and nursery. Parents speak positively about the care their children receive.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Most children are working at levels typical for their age. Observation and assessment systems are thorough so that children who may need additional help are quickly identified. Staff work well with external professionals to gain extra support when needed. Pre-school children are not always provided with activities which extend their learning fully to ensure they make the best progress possible.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY446524 Local authority Lewisham Inspection number 1017498 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 32 Name of provider Sophia Blankson and Joel Ajala Partnership Date of previous inspection 4 November 2014 Telephone number 02082911960

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Setting details

Forest Hill Nursery registered in 2012 and is privately owned. It operates from the first and second floors of church premises in Forest Hill. There are no facilities on site for outside play. The nursery operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm. It is registered on the Early Years Register. The nursery provides funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year olds. The nursery supports children who speak English as an additional language. There are seven members of staff who work with the children, all of whom are qualified to levels two and three in childcare.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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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Setting details

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Setting details

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Setting details

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