The Square School

The Square School 18 Holland Park Avenue, London, W11 3QU

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 April 2016 2 July 2012

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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 staff use their rigorous assessments and detailed knowledge of children's interests to meticulously plan a wide range of highly challenging experiences, which are matched to children's abilities. The children demonstrate high levels of engagement, interest and enthusiasm for learning.  The staff use highly successful strategies to engage the parents fully in their children's learning. For example, staff provide home activity packs that the parents enjoy sharing with their children. Additionally, the parents join staff in training workshops where they learn how their children develop and how to extend their learning at home.  The staff establish highly supportive relationships with children. Children settle rapidly, their behaviour is exceptionally good and they are extremely confident.  The manager scrutinises the progress that children make to determine precise improvements. For example, when she noticed some areas where children were making

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This provision is outstanding

less rapid progress, she put in place specific help. Children make outstanding progress in all areas.  Excellent links with the local schools help smooth the children's move to school, which is planned thoroughly. The manager works with the local teachers to ensure children fully develop skills, ready for entry to school.

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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

 extend the excellent methods for promoting and deepening staff's ongoing professional reflective practice to maintain the very high level of expertise in teaching and learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's play and staff interaction with the children, and viewed the toys, resources and equipment.  The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff and children.  The inspector took account of the views of parents and carers spoken to on the day.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector checked evidence of safeguarding practices, staff recruitment, staff professional development and the evaluation process. The inspector looked at the children's records and discussed how staff assess children's progress.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The manager ensures staff have a comprehensive understanding of the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about a child. Safeguarding is effective. The manager evaluates teaching practice and the provision precisely to improve these. Since the previous inspection, she has strengthened the educational programmes to enhance children's technology skills. The manager provides many sharply focused development opportunities for staff. For example, they observe each other's practice and complete daily reflections to meticulously tailor the provision to meet each child's needs. The manager has identified where further training to extend staff practice is required to help sustain the exceptionally high quality.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff are highly skilled in recognising the potential for learning in children's chosen activities. They are always on hand to engage children in valuable conversations and to ask thought-provoking questions. For example, staff captured children's momentary interest in the weather, encouraging them to read thermometer temperatures and to consider whether the plants required water. Staff are extremely skilled at promoting children's communication and social skills. For example, they expertly plan conversation times that help children become extremely confident at talking in groups. Children explain confidently the nursery's rules that help them to listen, such as holding a 'talking toy'.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children's welfare, emotional and physical well-being are central to staff practice. Staff make excellent use of opportunities to promote children's understanding of safety. For example, children learn how to use a hammer and nails safely to join materials together. Staff use advice from experts to help them deliver healthy, physical activity sessions. Staff help children to make excellent connections with each other and the wider community. For example, children enjoy making and sharing books about themselves, their families and the significant events in their lives, which helps them to learn about each other's lives.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children flourish, are creative and enjoy experimenting. For example, when building with sand and wooden blocks children discuss and try out each other's ideas. Children reflect on their own learning, and contribute to their own assessments. For example, they use their writing books to comment on how they have improved their writing skills. Children gain excellent mathematical skills beyond their age expectations. They know that Her Majesty The Queen is 90 years old by reading two-digit numbers, and some children are able to count on to 100.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY410039 Local authority Kensington & Chelsea Inspection number 822577 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 22 Name of provider Jane Alsop Date of previous inspection 2 July 2012 Telephone number 02072216004

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Setting details

The Square School started in 1969 and registered in 2001. The nursery operates from Notting Hill, in the Royal Borough of Kensington. The nursery is open each weekday from 9am to 4pm during school terms. There are four staff employed, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery reflects the Montessori philosophy of education. The nursery is funded for the provision of free early education for 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

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