Sam Morris Centre Nursery

Inspection of Sam Morris Centre Nursery Parkside Crescent, Isledon Road, Islington, London N7 7JG

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

The manager and staff provide an environment where each child is valued and listened to. Children eagerly come into nursery and engage in play with their friends quickly. Staff offer a warm welcome to children and parents, and they exchange relevant information effectively. Children are happy and secure, and are eager to engage in the varied learning activities to support their progress. Older children enjoy listening to familiar stories. Younger children take part in singing sessions, following actions with anticipation and delight. Staff have high expectations for all children and offer praise and encouragement as they play. They celebrate children's achievements and encourage children to persevere at tasks. For example, with reassurance, young children climb on a small climbing frame outside. They smile and show pride in their achievements when they reach the top. Staff are excellent role models; they are gentle, kind and respectful in their

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The provision is good

interactions. Children are polite and behave well. They begin to understand and follow rules and learn to look after the resources. Children are curious and ask questions. They learn to tend to their own personal needs with gentle encouragement and support. This contributes to their self-confidence, particularly in preparation for school.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan each session carefully, ensuring children have opportunities to experience a wide variety of activities. They know each child well and adapt their interactions with them to extend the skills of each individual. Staff have easy access to resources and so they extend and follow children's interests quickly. However, teaching of mathematics is not as strong and opportunities are often missed to extend children's learning in this area, despite the nursery having a good variety of resources. n Staff provide good opportunities for children to play and independently learn together. For example, the older children enjoy showing younger children how to care for the dolls as they change their nappies. Younger children watch attentively. However, there are times when not all staff consistently help children to understand and learn effectively what is expected of them. For example, when it is tidy-up time, not all children are supported and encouraged

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need to do better?

to join in or understand what they should be doing, which unsettles younger children. n The manager creates a supportive work environment. Staff meet regularly with the manager to discuss their key children and workloads, and raise their ideas for activities and planning. n Staff provide children with healthy meals and encourage children to be physically active. For example, older children enjoy the challenge of an assault course where they are able to practise their jumping, crawling and balancing skills.

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need to do better?

30 October 2019 Additionally, staff explain to children why we take turns and the impact of their actions on others. As a result, children talk about their hands are for 'helping and being kind to their friends'. n The well-designed curriculum is based on what staff know about the children so that it builds on their learning. Staff carry out regular observations and assessments. n Staff work effectively to develop children's communication skills. For example, children were intrigued to learn another name for a 'spoon' was a 'ladle' during a pumpkin-soup activity, and children were keen to repeat the new word in their play. n Parents speak positively about the nursery. They explain that they chose the setting due to the staff's kind and caring manner with the children. Parents feel their children are supported individually, which helps them to be ready for their next stage in learning. n An administrative error resulted in Ofsted not receiving information about the

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need to do better?

new trust members. The chair of the trust is committed to rectifying this situation without delay.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Despite the confusion about how to add new trust members to the registration, the recruitment and vetting of staff working with children are robust. All staff know what signs and symptoms might indicate that a child is at risk of harm. They understand how to identify and report any concerns they may have about a child's welfare. Staff have an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the 'Prevent' duty guidance. Staff carry out risk assessments of the environment, to minimise any hazards. Children are able to take age-appropriate risks to support their understanding of safety.

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should:

n develop staff's teaching skills to further enhance children's opportunities to improve their mathematical skills n continue to help younger children understand what is expected of them, especially during daily routines.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 131732 Local authority Islington Inspection number 10072368 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 4 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person The Isledon Community Nursery Trust

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reference number

Telephone number 020 7609 1735 Date of previous inspection 18 March 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Sam Morris Centre Nursery registered in 1996. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, including one with early years professional status and one with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens on Monday to Friday for 49 weeks of the year, from 8am until 6pm. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector undertook a learning walk with the manager and looked at all the areas of the setting, including the outdoor area. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning and development. n The inspector carried out three joint observations with the curriculum lead officer. n The inspector spoke to parents, staff and children during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector discussed self-evaluation, risk assessments, policies and procedures. She checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of staff. n The inspector contacted the chair of the Isledon trust on the telephone to discuss the membership of the trust.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

30 October 2019 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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