Little Raccoons Day Nursery

Little Raccoons Day Nursery 108 Swains Lane, Highgate, London N6 6PH

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Inspection date 15 November 2018 Previous inspection date 26 May 2016

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 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 A strong partnership with parents has a positive impact on children's well-being and learning. Staff work closely with parents to share information about their children's care and learning and to ensure that children's needs are met effectively. n The dedicated manager evaluates the quality of her provision well. She takes account and acts on the views of staff, parents and children to improve the outcomes for children. n Children are provided with a wide range of learning experiences. Staff use their knowledge of the children's interests and their individual stages of development to plan activities that effectively build on their learning. n Children arrive eager to learn and are happy and settled. A strong key-person system helps children to form secure attachments with staff. Children are confident to ask for help and share ideas. Staff model language well and extend children's vocabulary by asking questions and instigating discussions.

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The provision is good

n The manager ensures that all staff have a strong understanding of how to keep children safe. A robust risk assessment process ensures the environment is secure. n Children make good progress in all areas of learning. They are well supported and prepared for the transition to school.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n Occasionally, staff miss opportunities to support the younger children's growing independence and self-help skills, and to encourage them to do things themselves more.

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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 support children further to develop their growing independence and enable them to do things themselves.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the provider, manager and staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector took into account parents' views. n The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector sampled documents, including children's assessments and safeguarding procedures.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff are secure in being able to identify possible signs of abuse and know whom to contact if they have a concern about a child's welfare. The manager ensures all staff have regular safeguarding training and that their knowledge and understanding are always up to date. There are clear recruitment and vetting procedures in place to check staff's suitability to work with children and the thorough induction programme enables new staff to be fully supported. The manager monitors staff's performance regularly, offering support and guidance when needed. Parents speak highly of the nursery, commenting on the nurturing staff and the warm environment. They feel involved in their children's learning and development and that they are always listened to.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of teaching is consistently good and, at times, outstanding. Staff carry out regular observations and complete accurate assessments. They use this information to plan purposeful activities to ensure all children move on to the next stage in their development. The outdoor area offers the children many opportunities to explore and discover. For example, there is a climbing wall in the outdoor area to support and extend their physical development. Staff put a great deal of emphasis on supporting children's communication and language skills, and use songs as an exciting way of doing this. For example, each morning all the children and staff will come together and sing the 'good morning' song. The children have many opportunities to learn about the natural world around them. For example, they grow herbs in the outdoor area and use these for future activities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are extremely happy and enjoy their time in the setting. They are kind and caring towards each other and the staff. Staff are excellent role models for the children, demonstrating nurturing and respectful attitudes at all times. Staff provide children with many opportunities to learn about the world in which they live. For example, children received a letter from the Queen, thanking them for the card they had made for her 90th birthday. They were also busily preparing cakes to sell for their bake sale to help raise money for charity. Staff work closely with each other to make sure that transitions in the nursery are well managed so that all children are well prepared for the next stages in their learning.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are thoroughly motivated learners who make good progress from their starting points. They are confident communicators and express themselves with a great deal of enthusiasm. Children are well prepared for their next steps in learning, including school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY449324 Local authority Camden Inspection number 10075204 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 28 Number of children on roll 36 Name of registered person Little Raccoons Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 26 May 2016 Telephone number 07973219539

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reference number

Little Racoons Day Nursery registered in 2012. It is located in Highgate, in the London Borough of Camden. The nursery is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6.30pm, all year round, except public holidays. The provider employs 10 staff.

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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.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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