Highgate Children's Centre

Highgate Children's Centre Highgate Studios, 53-79 Highgate Road, London, NW5 1TL

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 February 2016 6 October 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Staff form strong relationships with children. Children are confident, settled and enjoy their time at the nursery.  The manager is committed to providing good quality provision for children. She uses effective self-evaluation techniques to gather the views of parents, staff and children to identify areas for further improvement.  Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of child development and how to promote younger children's learning. They provide interesting and varied activities, which motivate children to learn.  Staff develop effective partnerships with parents. They gather information about children when they start and offer suggestions to support learning at home. Parents comment that they are happy with the care and education their children receive.  Staff work closely with other professionals to ensure that children who have special educational needs receive additional support. All children make good progress from

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always make the most of opportunities to extend children's communication skills and vocabularies, for example, through skilful questioning.  Arrangements to strengthen further the level of support staff receive are still developing to raise the quality of teaching to an outstanding level.

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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

 use all opportunities when interacting with children to extend their communication skills and vocabularies further  continue to strengthen systems for the supervision of staff, to raise the good quality of teaching practice to an even higher level.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to the manager, members of staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities in the nursery and outdoors, and assessed the impact this had on children's learning.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to during the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's learning records and planning documentation. She checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with the children, and reviewed some of the setting's policies and procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager monitors the progress of all children, including the outcomes of different groups of children. For example, she has identified ways to extend the learning of boys in some areas, such as through resources that reflect their interests, including in the construction area. Safeguarding is effective. All staff have a good awareness of their role and responsibility to protect children. They know what to do if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. The manager implements effective risk assessment procedures so that children and staff are safe in the nursery and during outings. Appropriate recruitment checks are in place to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. Staff receive training to increase their skills and knowledge, improving children's experiences.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know the children well. They observe and assess children's development and use this information to plan activities to support their needs. For example, younger children enjoy the feel of paint on their hands and staff encourage them to create different colours and patterns. Staff extend older children's learning well, for example, they introduce letters and their sounds, supporting children's literacy skills. Children are active learners and all resources are accessible to them. For example, children can choose the toys they want to play with and the activities they wish to join. Staff know how to identify children's particular interests to promote their learning fully.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are good role models. They set clear boundaries and praise children for their positive behaviour. Children behave well and play cooperatively together. Staff develop children's understanding of healthy eating well, providing nutritious meals and snacks. Staff ensure that children enjoy daily fresh air, such as in the outdoor area and when visiting local parks. They teach children to understand risks and to keep themselves safe. For example, staff use a cuddly toy to demonstrate to children how to cross the road safely and to keep areas tidy. Children learn to respect other cultures and views. For example, they learn about different celebrations, and enjoy hearing songs related to these events. Staff effectively support children's emotional well-being in preparation for starting school. For example, they plan a 'graduation' ceremony, which families attend, to celebrate children's achievement at the setting.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are working comfortably within the typical range of development for their age. Older children show good independent skills. For example, they serve their own food at lunchtime and hang their coats on their hooks.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 100609 Local authority Camden Inspection number 987864 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 63 Number of children on roll 73 Name of provider Bright Horizons Family Solutions Limited Date of previous inspection 6 October 2011 Telephone number 020 7485 5252

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Setting details

Highgate Children's Centre registered in 2000. It is part of the Bright Horizons Family Solutions and is located in the London Borough of Camden. The setting operates five days per week, from 8am until 6.30pm, for 51 weeks a year. The provider employs 22 members of staff, including the manager. Of these, 19 staff hold relevant early years qualifications. The provider is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early years education to children aged three and four years.

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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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