The Mulberry Kindergarten

The Mulberry Kindergarten 10 Howard Road, South Norwood, London, SE25 5BU

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 March 2016 18 October 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

 Children make excellent progress from their starting points in all areas of learning. Staff use their expert skills in assessing children's progress and are highly successful in identifying any gaps in children's progress and rapidly addressing these.  Staff are well qualified, and teaching is imaginative and exciting. Staff are extremely adept in using cultural and community events to extend children's learning and promote their thinking skills. For example, older children are encouraged to look at paintings of well-known artists and create their own masterpieces.  Staff are highly skilled at helping children settle into the nursery. Their gentle support, together with high expectations, gives children a strong base for developing their confidence and independence.  Parents are offered a wealth of information to enhance their skills and knowledge about supporting their children in their early education, which helps them contribute to their

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This provision is outstanding

children's well-being and exceptional progress.  Children are extremely proud to be part of their nursery. They embrace the ethos of care and kindness. They learn how their good behaviour is essential to their well-being and developing strong relationships with others.

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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

 sharpen the focus on evaluating the differences in how different groups of children learn, to enhance the planning of activities even further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation relating to the provision for children's welfare, progress and activities, along with evidence of the suitability of all staff.  The inspector completed a joint observation of staff practice with the manager.  The inspector discussed the provision's progress and future drive for improvement through self-evaluation.  The inspector spoke to the children and a selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The rich and vibrant learning environment is closely monitored by highly committed leaders to maintain its effectiveness. Regular supervision and training help staff improve their knowledge and skills. Every child's progress is closely tracked and swift action is taken to close any gaps and challenge the more able. The tracking of different groups of children is in place although not fully included in the planning of activities to raise children's learning experiences even higher. Safeguarding is effective. Robust recruitment and induction procedures ensure staff suitability. There is an unrelenting approach to ensure staff know their responsibilities to protect children. Risk assessments are thorough. Staff supervise children with care and vigilance. Partnerships and community working, together with precise self-evaluation, are integral to children's excellent progress.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff are highly effective in guiding children's learning through their interests and planned projects. Children delight in role-play activities, such as learning about the cost of products in shops, supporting their understanding of their world. Staff are extremely adaptable to move with children's thinking. For example, boys become totally immersed in construction, making robots and transformers from bricks, which stretches their creativity and mathematical awareness.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children have excellent opportunities to learn how to talk about their feelings and understand those of others. Projects such as 'the human body' engage children in looking at their health needs through diet, excellent hygiene routines and regular exercise, for example swimming sessions. Children are encouraged to make their own decisions in their play and many quality resources are highly accessible to develop children's total independence. Children learn how to keep themselves very safe and manage risks in a variety of situations, inside, outdoors and when they go on outings.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

An excellent starting programme that continues at a high level throughout the children's time at nursery ensures they are well prepared for their next stages and school. Children's language and communication skills are supported extremely well. Staff use their many skills, including signing and singing, to encourage children's early talking. During imaginative play, children are supported to share their ideas and they learn to make marks, learn letters and write. Staff make highly effective use of all opportunities to promote children's development of their self-help skills. Children are supported to develop extremely positive attitudes towards others.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 125049 Local authority Croydon Inspection number 825349 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 - 5 Total number of places 38 Number of children on roll 50 Name of provider Kim Dixon & Faye Blake Partnership Date of previous inspection 18 October 2011 Telephone number 020 8656 4945

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Setting details

The Mulberry Kindergarten registered in September 1997. It is located in South Norwood, in the London Borough of Croydon The provision is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm all year round. There are 12 members of staff, of whom two hold a qualification at level 6, seven hold a qualification at level 3 and three staff hold a level two qualification in childcare. The provision provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four. It supports disabled children and those with special educational needs.

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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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