Manor Gardens Nursery

Inspection of Manor Gardens Nursery Manor Gardens Centre, 6-9 Manor Gardens, London N7 6LA

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children show that they are extremely happy, safe and secure. They evidently enjoy their time and flourish, with high levels of encouragement and support from the dedicated staff. The manager and staff have very high expectations for children's learning and behaviour. This is evident when they plan a rich array of fun and challenging activities. Children consistently show high levels of interest and curiosity and behave extremely well. They delight when engaging in messy play activities and have superb support to develop their descriptive language and imagination. Children also have fun digging and planting outdoors in the greenhouse and are given excellent support to learn about different flowers and vegetables and what helps them to grow. There is a strong focus on helping children to understand what makes them unique. For instance, staff discuss different backgrounds and hair and eye colour as they support children to make

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The provision is good

spoon puppets of themselves. The children then use these to self-register and to recognise their name. This promotes their growing understanding of diversity and their early literacy skills. Teaching is of a high standard overall, however, there is some inconsistency in the quality of questioning skills and the way that some staff expand on children's understanding and knowledge.

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need to do better?

n The nursery is led by an extremely experienced and dedicated manager. She is highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic, with a strong vision and drive to inspire ongoing improvements. For instance, she leads on action research projects about the importance of children having a variety of role-play resources and experiences to extend their play and understanding of the wider world. n Staff plan an ambitious, interesting and creative curriculum. They regularly extend their knowledge and teaching, for example, by attending relevant training. The positive impact of this is apparent in the carefully planned educational programme for children. n The arrangements for when new children start are highly effective. Staff gain detailed information from parents to help to get to know the children. They also encourage parents to make reassuring voice recordings with statements such as, 'I will be back soon', to support children's emotional well-being and feeling of

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need to do better?

security. n Opportunities for learning outdoors are excellent. For instance, children have very good opportunities to challenge their physical skills on a pirate ship climbing frame. They also enjoy experimenting with different volumes and capacities during water play and enjoy painting at an easel. n Children have frequent opportunities to listen to stories and sing a range of songs. They frequently hear new words and vocabulary to support their language development. Although the quality of teaching is good, with some

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need to do better?

5 March 2020 exceptional practice, sometimes questions from staff do not extend and build on children's prior knowledge and develop their thinking skills to the highest level. n Children are encouraged effectively to learn about the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles. This is evident as they have recently been awarded a Healthy Early Years Award from the Mayor of London. This is in recognition for teaching the children about healthy foods, good dental care and the value of being active. n Parents are very happy with the care and education their children receive. They say that staff are caring, friendly and approachable. They also state that their children are making very good progress and they feel well informed about their new achievements and learning. n Children are given excellent support to help them move on to school. For instance, staff have discussions about different feelings and emotions during

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need to do better?

periods of change, and read stories about starting school. They also have established strong links with other professionals and teachers, who visit to discuss children's interests and stages of development. n Staff well-being is given high consideration. The long-standing and dedicated staff comment on good levels of support and job satisfaction. The manager frequently arranges activities to promote staff well-being. For instance, staff participate in yoga sessions and mindfulness exercises.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff show good knowledge of possible signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They also understand the importance of seeking additional support for children whose welfare is being compromised. The arrangements in place for recruiting and vetting new staff are thorough and rigorous. For instance, all staff have their suitability and employment history checked to help to ensure that they are suitable for their role. Staff are extremely skilled at teaching children to keep themselves safe. For instance, they sing songs about the importance of blowing their nose and washing their hands to minimise the spreading of germs.

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should:

n strengthen the consistency of staff's questioning skills and the way in which they help to expand children's knowledge, to raise the quality of teaching to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 131711 Local authority Islington Inspection number 10138051 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 28 Name of registered person Manor Gardens Welfare Trust

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reference number

Telephone number 0207 561 5261 Date of previous inspection 5 May 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Manor Gardens Nursery was registered in 2000. The nursery employs seven members of staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and two hold level 6, with early years professional status. The nursery operates from Monday to Friday from 9am until 4.30pm, during term time only. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n A learning walk was completed by the manager and inspector. n A joint observation was completed by the inspector and manager and the learning experiences for children were evaluated. n The inspector discussed the leadership of the nursery and its aims for the care and education of children. n A range of documentation was viewed, including staff suitability checks and training certificates. n Parents' and children's views were obtained and considered as part of the inspection.

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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

5 March 2020 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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