The Willow Children's Centre

The Willow Children's Centre Barnhill Road, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 9YP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 August 2017 11 June 2014

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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

 Children benefit from a calm, welcoming learning environment. They settle well and make friends. Staff offer children reassurance and praise. Children's behaviour is good.  Managers and staff check the progress of all children. When identifying gaps in children's learning, they provide good support to help them catch up. Children make good progress in relation to their individual starting points and capabilities. They are well prepared for the next stages in their learning or for starting school.  Children thoroughly enjoy a range of opportunities to help them learn about their identity and other people and their communities. For example, they take an active part in festivals and are aware of the different languages and scripts around them.  Staff work well with parents, early years providers and other professionals to ensure a joined-up approach to supporting children's learning and development.

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This provision is good

 Managers continually monitor and evaluate the quality of the provision to help ensure that children achieve well and staff meet their needs effectively.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not consistently provide a high level of challenge in activities to fully support and extend children's mathematical skills and to solve problems independently.  Older children have limited opportunities to develop their skills in using everyday technology.

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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 challenging experiences to help children develop their mathematical skills and the ability to solve problems independently  increase opportunities for older children to use information and communication technology.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in all parts of the nursery, including the outdoor provision.  The inspector spoke to some members of staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and held meetings with the nursery management team.  The inspector conducted joint observations with the manager.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to during the inspection and reviewed parents' written comments and suggestions.  The inspector looked at children's records, planning documentation and the nursery's policies and procedures, including those related to the suitability of staff.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The provider follows robust recruitment and induction procedures to help ensure that staff are suitable for their role. Staff have a good knowledge of safeguarding practices and know what to do if they have any welfare concerns. Managers observe staff regularly and give them specific feedback to help them develop the quality of their practice. Staff attend training to strengthen their skills and to share their good practice with colleagues to benefit children's learning. This is evident in the way they provide good opportunities to help children explore natural resources to support their knowledge and understanding of the world. Managers seek the views and comments of staff, parents and others to help maintain a good service. Parents are pleased with the good care and support their children receive from this caring team.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff gather relevant information from parents, such as during settling-in visits and through their ongoing observations of children's play. They plan and provide a range of stimulating activities to motivate children to learn. Children have good attitudes to learning and get on well with each other. Staff help children experiment with different paint colours. Children create imaginative pictures and eagerly talk about what they have created. They use different resources to make models purposefully. Staff interact well with children and act on their suggestions to support their communication and language skills. Children listen attentively, respond well to instructions and develop good vocabularies.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are good examples for children. For instance, they help children share resources and toys fairly and take turns. Children learn to show consideration to others. They are happy and confident to ask for help when needed. Staff talk to children about the reasons why good personal hygiene and healthy eating are important. For instance, at lunchtime, children talk about how salads and water are good for them. Children enjoy regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise in the outdoors. For example, they balance on stepping-stones confidently. Staff undertake regular and thorough checks on the premises and resources to ensure children can engage in indoor and outdoor activities safely.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and any gaps in learning are closing. Babies learn new words and explore resources safely. Children learn to look after their belongings. They handle books with care and share a story with a friend. Older children use writing materials to make marks or write letters and sounds in words, such as their names. They eagerly join in and learn from activities that capture their imagination, such as exploring ice cubes and knowing that ice melts in the heat.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY335023 Local authority Brent Inspection number 1068796 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 - 4 Total number of places 98 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person London Borough of Brent

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 11 June 2014 Telephone number 02089376560

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reference number

The Willow Children's Centre opened in 2006. It is situated in Wembley and is run by the London Borough of Brent. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm, all year round. The provider receives funding to offer free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 24 members of staff, two of whom have qualified teacher status. The remaining 22 staff have relevant qualifications at either level 3 or 6.

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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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