Childhood Centre, Harmony House

Childhood Centre, Harmony House Harmony House, Baden Powell Close, Dagenham, Essex RM9 6XN

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Inspection date 26 October 2018 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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The provision is good

n The provider and her staff have a strong drive to continually improve the quality of the nursery. There are good self-evaluation and performance management procedures in place to monitor and review practice to maintain consistent standards of care and education. n Parents are well informed and involved in their children's care and learning. They express very positive comments about the staff and the care and attention they give to their children. n Staff regularly attend a range of training to strengthen their teaching skills and improve their understanding of welfare requirements. For instance, staff described how they have learnt a range of strategies to promote children's good behaviour. n Staff monitor children's learning effectively, to help identify any gaps in their learning. Children make good progress from their starting points.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n Staff do not provide many opportunities to support young children to count and compare quantities. n At times, staff do not give children the time they need to think about and respond to questions.

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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

n extend the support for young children's emerging mathematical development n give children the time they need to share their knowledge, think and respond to questions.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the children and staff during their activities to evaluate the quality of teaching. She spoke to staff and children at convenient times. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the two nursery managers. n The inspector held discussions with the provider and managers about policies and procedures, and methods of assessing and planning for children's progress. The inspector also discussed how staff work with parents and other agencies. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n Documentation was checked, including evidence of staff's suitability and training, children's records, accident reports and risk assessments.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff are alert to the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm and they know how to follow reporting procedures. The managers and staff are vigilant about the safety and well-being of the children. Potential risks within all areas of the nursery are identified and minimised. Children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well to progress in their learning. Staff work well with external agencies to help children catch up in their learning. Robust systems for recruitment and induction help to ensure the suitability of all staff.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know children well and have high expectations of what they can achieve. The curriculum is broad and, overall, teaching is good. Staff regularly observe and assess children and have an in-depth understanding of their development. Children develop their imagination and enjoy being creative. For example, they engage in role-play activities, such as cooking in the pretend kitchen. Staff promote children's language development well, including that of those who are learning English as an additional language. Staff read stories with enthusiasm, encouraging children to join in with actions and finish familiar phrases.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff develop warm and friendly relationships with parents and children. Parents confirm that children settle quickly and form close attachments to staff. Children are provided with a good range of freshly prepared, nutritious meals and snacks, which contributes significantly towards keeping them healthy. Children's physical skills are well promoted. Babies laugh and giggle as they participate in an activity to reach different objects. They confidently move their bodies in different ways, building on their coordination. Children's positive behaviour shows that they feel happy and safe. Staff consistently reinforce good manners and remind children to be kind to each other. Older children tell the inspector that they enjoy coming to nursery and it's 'fun'.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children's learning builds well on what they already know and can do. They make good progress in readiness for the move on to school. Children learn to manage their self-care needs independently and manage simple tasks for themselves, such as putting on their coats before playing outside. Children are enthusiastic as they make choices about their play and know their opinions are valued. They develop their early writing skills and use different tools to make marks and patterns when playing with sand.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY539435 Local authority Barking and Dagenham Inspection number 10079424 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 79 Number of children on roll 75

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Name of registered person

Harmony House Dagenham Community Interest Company

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 0208 526 8200

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reference number

Childhood Centre, Harmony House registered in 1993, and re-registered in 2016. It is located in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The setting operates Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 6pm for 51 weeks of the year. The pre- school employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 hold appropriate early years qualifications between level 3 and level 6. The nursery is in receipt of funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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