Somers Town Community Nursery

Somers Town Community Nursery 150 Ossulston Street, London, NW1 1EE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 February 2017 26 April 2013

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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

 The setting is well led and the management team has a clear overview of its strengths and priorities for development. For example, they are currently working on plans to improve the learning experiences they provide for children outdoors.  There are effective systems for managing staff performance, which contributes to a targeted cycle of professional development and maintaining consistent practice.  Staff understand how children learn. They use their knowledge, skills and experiences effectively to provide an interesting and challenging learning environment for children.  Children make good progress in their learning and there are effective systems in place to identify and support children who have additional learning needs.  Staff work well with other professionals to achieve a consistent approach in meeting children's care and learning needs. For example, they support children effectively during transitions to and from other settings, and when moving on to school.

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This provision is good

 Children are happy and settle well. They demonstrate good levels of confidence, independence and self-esteem; they lead and make choices about their own play.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not make full use of opportunities to broaden children's thinking skills and to encourage them further to share new ideas.  Staff are still in the process of looking at ways to engage parents fully in their children's continuous assessments and planned next steps in learning.

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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

 provide more opportunities for children to explore, think and share their ideas fully to extend their learning even further  review further ways to involve all parents in their children's learning, in particular by gathering more information from them to support their children's ongoing assessments.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching as staff engaged in children's play in the indoor and outdoor learning environments.  The inspector spoke to staff and parents and engaged with some of the children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector held discussions with the management team during the inspection.  The inspector looked at documentation and records relating to children's development, staff suitability and qualifications, and health and safety documents.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and held discussions about the quality of staff's teaching and children's learning and progress.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The committed and dedicated management and staff team provide a quality learning environment for children. They supervise children at all times and are continually striving to improve their outcomes. Safeguarding is effective. There are rigorous staff recruitment and induction procedures in place and staff have good opportunities to further their knowledge and skills. This ensures that staff have suitable skills for their roles and have a clear understanding of their responsibilities. For example, all staff have completed child protection training and they demonstrate a secure awareness of the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about a child's welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children spend their time purposefully engaged in activities and move around the environment freely, making independent choices. For example, they engage in role play, explore sand and play dough, and learn about technology, such as when using various recycled resources. Staff regularly observe children to identify what they can do. They use the information well to make accurate assessments of children's stage of learning and to identify and target any gaps. For example, staff effectively devise specific educational programmes for children who have additional needs, so they can effectively support them to meet individual learning targets. Overall, staff engage well with children; they effectively encourage their mathematical skills and read regularly to them.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and settle well. Relationships between staff, children and parents are good. Staff make effective use of the key-person system, which strongly contributes towards children forming secure attachments with staff. Overall, staff regularly talk to parents about children's learning and share relevant information, such as the complaints procedures. Staff are positive role models for children. They set good examples and provide clear explanations to support children's understanding of behaviour. Children develop good social skills, such as sharing and cooperation. They show a secure awareness of their own and others people's needs, and learn to respect those from various backgrounds. Staff support children's personal care needs effectively, while ensuring they remain safe at all times. Children develop good hygiene practices, such as handwashing and oral hygiene, and they regularly engage in physical play outdoors.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those from different groups, make good progress in their learning in readiness for starting school. Children show high levels of independence and confidently communicate their needs; in particular children who are learning English as an additional language.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY402188 Local authority Camden Inspection number 1062334 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 26 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person The Somers Town Community Association (Camden)

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 26 April 2013 Telephone number 0207 383 0382

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reference number

Somers Town Community Nursery registered in 2009. It operates from premises in the Somers Town area within the London Borough of Camden. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm, during term time only. It offers sessions from 9am to midday and from 1pm to 4pm, although some children attend full time. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education to children aged two, three and four years. There are five permanent members of staff, including the manager, and most staff hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 3.

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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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