Middlesex University Nursery

Middlesex University Nursery The Burroughs, Hendon, London, NW4 4BT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 February 2016 15 August 2011

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The nursery's leadership and management are especially strong in all aspects, but exceptional in training, and all staff have considerably improved their practice since the previous inspection to raise standards to the highest of levels.  All staff have strongly developed their communication skills and how they reflect on their practice, and in turn they give children time to reflect and communicate their thoughts.  Teaching is exceptionally strong. Staff have an excellent knowledge of the needs of every child to assist them in becoming confident learners.  Staff ask children for their views to plan highly stimulating indoor and outdoor activities. Children become deeply engrossed in practical and creative tasks.  Staff use outdoor activities to promote physical development exceptionally well. Children are encouraged to take risks and to assess the risks themselves.  Staff are deeply caring and patient with children, and forge excellent relationships with

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This provision is outstanding

them. As a result, children learn to be cooperative and tolerant with each other.  The staff involve parents in children's care and learning development, and listen to parents' views. Parents say that nothing is left unresolved.  The university canteen provides healthy, well-balanced and nutritious meals, which the children thoroughly enjoy.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 pursue the goal set to increase opportunities for children to think critically and explore their own ideas further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the four rooms and in the outside areas.  The inspector carried out joint observations of two activities with the head of early years.  The inspector held regular discussions with the head of early years and the manager.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection and from questionnaires.  The inspector looked at children's records, including tracking charts and observations, alongside planning, policies, procedures and a range of other relevant documentation.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Staff have an excellent understanding of all areas of learning. They provide an extensive range of activities indoors and outside to inspire children's learning. For example, in addition to reading books about fairies, children use their imaginations to build fairy houses in the forest area. Leaders and staff regularly monitor children's learning through observations, and they constantly seek to improve their own practice. Currently, the staff ask children high-quality questions, and are modelling ways children can ask their own questions, to develop enquiring minds, recognising that this area is not developed fully. All staff know and understand safeguarding procedures, which they follow closely to promote children's welfare and safety. They are alert for signs that children may be at risk, and know how to report concerns. Safeguarding is effective.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff give children time to discuss their learning to help them to begin to think ideas through for themselves. Staff encourage children to develop skills in manipulating and exploring objects and materials from a very early age. Children practise mathematical skills, such as counting and naming shapes. They enjoy exploring materials first-hand. For example, younger children learn how to foam-up bubbles in a water tray, while older children use mud to build homes for toy insects. In the outdoor 'mud kitchen', children mix water with mud to change its consistency. Staff pay close attention to each child's understanding and are quick to adjust teaching to meet children's needs. Staff promote swift progress and take appropriate action to close gaps in children's learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

All staff have exceptionally positive attitudes to children that help them to feel emotionally secure. Children have excellent manners. They speak politely; all staff speak gently and considerately with them. Staff train children to develop eye contact from a very young age. Children learn to pay close attention and listen carefully to adults and each other. They learn to put on their own coats and shoes, and to choose appropriate clothing for different activities in all seasons. They learn to behave in safe ways; for example, children quickly gain control of cutlery. Children take rests if they need to. Staff provide clean bedding, and deal with all individual care needs to a very high standard.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children enjoy challenges, develop confidence, and become independent and motivated. Children quickly begin to recognise their names and to match letters to the sounds in their names. By the end of nursery, children develop early writing and number skills to prepare them for their next stage in education.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 147583 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 841772 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 58 Number of children on roll 91 Name of provider Middlesex University Date of previous inspection 15 August 2011 Telephone number 020 8411 6032

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Setting details

Middlesex University Nursery was previously known as Hendon Campus Nursery. It registered in 1995, and is located in the London Borough of Barnet. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm for 50 weeks annually. It closes for two weeks at Christmas. It is funded to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs 17 staff, 16 of whom hold early years qualifications, with the head of early years holding Early Years Professional Status.

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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

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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