Spring - Northumberland Heath

Spring - Northumberland Heath Northumberland Heath Childrens Centre, 141 Brook Street, ERITH, Kent DA8 1JD

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Inspection date 6 August 2019 Previous inspection date 21 August 2018

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires improvement 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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This provision is good

n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. They make good progress from their starting points. n Children learn quickly to express their feelings as staff employ effective strategies to support them. For example, children point to a display of faces with different expressions and discuss if they are happy or sad. n Babies settle quickly and form strong bonds with their key persons. Staff know children well and help them feel secure. n Staff have a secure understanding of how children learn and plan interesting activities to support their learning. For example, children in the toddler room enjoy washing dolls and learning to name their body parts as they play. n Parents speak highly of the nursery and say that they are kept well informed about their child's learning and care needs. n Staff sometimes rush through activities, which limits the opportunities for some

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This provision is good

children to develop their thoughts and express their ideas. n Pre-school children learn about letters and their sounds through planned activities, such as the daily phonics session, but staff miss opportunities to further support children's literacy skills during free play and care routines.

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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 provide children with more time to think through ideas during discussions and activities n use naturally occurring opportunities during free play and care routines to help children learn about letters and sounds.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

n The inspector spoke with parents to gain their views. n The inspector observed planned activities inside and in the outdoor area. n The inspector met with the manager and a representative from the provider. n The inspector viewed a selection of documents, including Disclosure and Barring Service records.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Robust recruitment procedures are in place to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. Staff are aware of the signs that a child may be at risk and understand what action to take. Self-evaluation is accurate and ensures continuous improvement. The varied programme of professional development helps staff improve their practice. Staff have received training on sustained shared thinking and behaviour management. As a result, teaching has quickly improved.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Partnerships with parents are strong. Information is shared regularly between parents and staff, which helps them to support children's learning at home and at nursery. Staff provide new and interesting activities and resources throughout the day to keep children engaged. Pre-school children learn about nature and the world around them through first-hand experiences. For example, they are interested in the African land snails that the nursery keeps. They observe them closely, and know that snails' eyes are on tentacles. Children discuss with staff the differences between the snail's shell and body. Staff support children's language development well, and introduce new vocabulary, such as 'delicate' and 'squishy', to describe the snails. Children are developing a love of books and reading. Babies enjoy sharing favourite books with staff before nap time. They hold the book the right way up and turn the pages correctly.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well. Staff act as good role models and encourage children to be polite and helpful to each other. Children learn how to stay healthy. They have opportunities for fresh air and exercise each day in the nursery garden, and participate in vigorous music and movement sessions to support their fitness. They understand the importance of a healthy diet and explain to staff that 'milk keeps us strong'. Children are well protected from the spread of infection. Staff remind them to wash their hands frequently, before lunch, after using the toilet or after handling the snails. The nursery has robust procedures to keep children safe. For example, sleeping children are checked regularly and times are recorded, which are available for parents to read on the nursery information-sharing system.

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Outcomes for children are good

Most children are working at typical levels of development for their age. Those whose starting points are below expectations are quickly assessed, and programmes are put in place to help them progress rapidly. The procedures to support babies and toddlers through transitions from one base room to the next help them to feel secure. Children are ready for the next steps in their learning. Children are developing the necessary skills to support them in learning to write. They manipulate pens and pencils to draw recognisable pictures and use the correct pencil grip. Pre-school children use language confidently to express their thoughts likes and dislikes. For example, when discussing their favourite books, they explain that they do not like the story about a 'bear hunt' as it has a scary bear. Children are developing an understanding of numbers. Staff frequently involve them in counting during daily routines, such as setting the table.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY539470 Local authority Bexley Inspection number 10077946 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person Action For Children Developments Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 21 August 2018 Telephone number 01322 431008

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Spring - Northumberland Heath re-registered in 2016. The setting operates Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm throughout the year. It employs 16 staff, with the majority holding appropriate early years qualifications. The setting provides funded nursery education places for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

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

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