St. Marks Sq. Nursery School

St. Marks Sq. Nursery School St Marks Church, Regents Park, London, NW1 7TN

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 April 2016 5 December 2011

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

p.1

This provision is outstanding

 Children bond exceptionally well with their key persons and form very secure emotional attachments. They show an excellent level of independence and self-control and are extremely confident and self-assured.  Teaching is of the highest quality. This ensures that children make exceptional progress and exceed expectations. Basic skills are taught particularly well.  Children benefit highly from a vibrant and exciting programme of learning. They visit art galleries and go to theatres to see ballet and opera. They participate in weekly sessions to develop their expressive creativity, including music, ballet, yoga, French and meditation.  Children are encouraged to talk about their dreams. The headteacher uses this unique technique to gain an insight into their inner thoughts, helping to identify and promptly address any emotional difficulties children may have.  The nursery has established very strong links with receiving schools. This ensures that

p.1

This provision is outstanding

the move to school is a very pleasant experience for both children and their parents.  There are exemplary partnerships with parents and other professionals to ensure that children and their families are very well supported. Parents are extremely happy with the exceptional quality of learning and care provided.  Inspirational leadership and rigorous self-evaluation incorporating the views of parents, children and staff, contribute to the nursery's outstanding ongoing improvements and exceptional outcomes for all children. The headteacher and staff are relentless in their pursuit of excellence to ensure the highest level of achievement for all children.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 provide more opportunities to further extend children's skills in technology and evaluate the impact of this on their learning.

p.2

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 completed a joint observation with the classroom manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the headteacher, the deputy manager and the consultant. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The dynamic headteacher is passionate about the nursery. She works with her exemplary management team to provide exceptional leadership for highly motivated and reflective staff. All staff roles and responsibilities are sharply defined with dramatic impact on children's learning. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Recruitment procedures and induction are thorough. Systems for monitoring staff performance are rigorous. Staff receive supervision of the highest quality and benefit from exceptional training which helps them improve their knowledge and practice. They are very well qualified to address children's additional needs. Staff receive excellent support from the headteacher, which empowers them to reach greater heights. Rigorous tracking systems ensure that no child is left behind. Any identified gaps in achievement close rapidly.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Regular, precise observation and assessment enables staff to plan rich, varied, real-life learning opportunities that engage and challenge all children. Planning takes account of children's backgrounds and is based around exciting topics and children's interests. Children are highly motivated and very eager to engage. There is an extremely strong focus on helping children acquire communication and language skills. Children link letters and sounds to form words. They write and punctuate simple sentences and take books home to share with their families. Older children replicate paintings by the Impressionists, inspired by their visit to an art gallery. They give their views on the artwork seen. Children are developing an excellent understanding of the world. They explore and describe natural materials, observe the life cycle of chicks and care for their goldfish. Children learn about people and communities as they research Africa and celebrate various festivals and

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

cultures from around the world. Staff are keen to expand on children's growing skills in the use of information technology. The key-person system is highly successful in engaging parents in their children's education. Parents are very well supported to promote their children's learning at home.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children flourish extremely well in this highly stimulating and inclusive learning environment. They are guided by a set of principles which helps them to monitor their own behaviour and attitude towards others. For example, children know that every action has a reaction. Children's behaviour is exemplary. Their efforts are rewarded and praised. Staff are particularly skilled in nurturing children's personal development. Children know that the staff will always listen. Daily meditation helps children to relax and reflect on their learning. Children have excellent opportunities for daily physical exercise and to learn about healthy eating. Children manage their personal hygiene needs very successfully.

p.3

Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make rapid progress from their starting points and achieve exceedingly well. They are very happy, confident, independent learners with a real thirst for knowledge. They are developing as very well-rounded individuals with excellent skills for future learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 100604 Local authority Camden Inspection number 1024288 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 2 - 5 Total number of places 37 Number of children on roll 50 Name of provider Sheema Parsons Date of previous inspection 5 December 2011 Telephone number 020 7586 8383

p.4

Setting details

St. Marks Sq. Nursery School was registered in 1983 and is privately owned. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including two with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

Setting details

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Setting details

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

Setting details

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

p.5