The North London Forest School Nursery

The North London Forest School Nursery All Hallows' Church - The Undercroft, Savernake Road, London, Greater London, NW3 2JP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 February 2017 Not applicable

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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 inspirational manager leads an enthusiastic team of staff who share a clear vision for the nursery. They continually review and adapt the provision to provide the very best experiences for children.  The excellent staff use their exceptional teaching skills to motivate and engage children. Staff plan a rich and challenging range of activities that are sharply focused on children's individual needs and interests. They allow children to engage in self-initiated exploration and discovery, and build on their thinking skills.  Children relish playing in the spacious and stimulating outdoor play areas. For example, this includes daily trips to the nature reserve, where they engage in outdoor learning and forest school activities, which the children enthusiastically enjoy.  The manager and staff make precise assessments of children's development. All children, including those who are learning English as an additional language and those

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This provision is outstanding

who have special educational needs, make excellent progress. Any gaps in achievements are identified rapidly and suitable plans put in place.  Staff develop remarkable partnerships with parents. They work extremely well with parents to agree children's next steps in learning, which helps to support children's well-being and ongoing learning in the setting and at home.

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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

 continue to make better use of the existing strategies in place to enhance children's early mathematical development 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 jointly observed an activity with the manager and discussed the impact of teaching on children's learning.  The inspector looked at the children's records, planning documentation, evidence of the suitability of staff working in the provision and a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures.  The inspector spoke with members of staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and held discussions with the manager.  The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff have an excellent understanding of the safeguarding policies, including how to escalate concerns. They take extremely effective measures to keep children safe and protect them from harm. Staff attend regular supervision meetings, where the manager rigorously reviews their practice and uses a highly targeted training programme to improve the quality of staff teaching. For example, the manager has identified that staff need further support to extend opportunities to increase children's knowledge of mathematics. Staff have been booked for further training to raise the quality of their teaching and outcomes for children to consistently high levels. The manager works extremely well with schools and other professionals.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children are inspired and highly motivated to experiment and find things out for themselves. They develop excellent critical thinking skills, for example, as staff ask questions and set challenges. Staff are skilled at judging when to intervene and when to let children explore by themselves. For example, staff stood back when children were fascinated by an activity using foam, sand and flour. Children carefully thought and picked up a small whisk to mix all the ingredients, and communicated confidently about how to bake a cake and when it is ready to go into the oven. Staff support children's literacy skills in very imaginative and highly effective ways. For example, children confidently retell the traditional story of 'The Three Little Pigs' using character props.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Staff work very closely with the parents from the start. This helps staff to know the children extremely well. Children are exceedingly eager to arrive and settle in quickly. They form extremely close bonds with all the staff and children. Children listen carefully to instructions and are keen to tidy away resources and help set up for lunch. For example, children help to set up the dining area by bringing in the chairs and work together to safely lift the tables. Children learn how to use tools with care and how to keep themselves safe and healthy. Children play exceptionally well together as they share, takes turns and listen to each other's opinions. Their behaviour is exemplary.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children of all ages and abilities have an active, creative and confident approach to their own learning. Children are highly motivated and develop extremely positive attitudes to their learning. Children confidently express their needs and feelings, initiating their own ideas to extend their learning. Children acquire a range of skills that prepare them exceptionally well for the next stages in learning and for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY481337 Local authority Camden Inspection number 994175 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 25 Number of children on roll 36 Name of registered person Anne-Marie Munteanu-Kovecses

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07900830897

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reference number

The North London Forest School Nursery registered in 2014. It is situated in the London Borough of Camden. Children take part in activities on Hampstead Heath for the majority of the forest school learning experience. The nursery operates from 8.30am to 4pm on Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 12.15pm on Friday, during term time only. There are seven members of staff. Of these, two hold qualified teacher status and three staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above; two members of staff are unqualified. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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