The Mulberry Kindergarten

Inspection of The Mulberry Kindergarten 10 Howard Road, South Norwood, London SE25 5BU

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children form warm relationships with the nursery staff. As a result, children are happy and confident. New routines have been put into place due to COVID-19 pandemic which mean that parents no longer go into the nursery. Despite this, children confidently leave their parents. Staff promote children's language and communication skills well. For example, children enthusiastically join in with songs and rhymes during a circle time in the garden. Staff encourage them to take turns to develop their vocabulary as they each choose a line from a song to sing. Children shake with excitement when it is their turn to sing their chosen line. They take note of their environment and staff follow their curiosity, for example when a child finds a seed on the ground. The staff member encourages the child to explore the seed. They use enriching vocabulary, which the child then repeats, thereby extending their understanding of new words. Children benefit from opportunities

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The provision is good

for physical development. All children have access to a well-resourced outside area where they can develop their skills, such as mastering how to balance a plastic egg on a spoon. There is a calm and consistent approach to behaviour management. Staff have generally high expectations of children and, as a result, children behave well and are kind and caring towards one another.

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need to do better?

n Communication with parents is strong and there is mutual respect between the parents and the staff. Parents praise the nursery for its caring and supportive approach to the care and learning of their children. The staff provide a flexible approach, which ensures that the needs of the children and their families are met. n Overall, a well-sequenced curriculum teaches children new skills as well as giving them time to practise them. Parents talk about the progress that their children make. For example, one parent told the inspector, 'He is so happy here, he talks about it all the time and his vocabulary has been extended'. n Staff are aware of and extend children's interests. Staff play alongside children who are thoroughly immersed in creating their own game. This provides opportunities to explore and develop language. n Leaders and managers provide an inclusive curriculum where diversity is celebrated and is part and parcel of everyday life at the nursery.

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need to do better?

n Children with special educational needs are well supported. There is a joined-up approach with parents and outside agencies. As a result, children make good progress. n Leaders give staff regular supervision and discuss any concerns that they have. Staff feel well supported and are given regular feedback on their strengths and how to further develop their skills and knowledge. n At social times, such as lunchtime, children are self-assured. They are taught to

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need to do better?

17 September 2021 use cutlery effectively and are given further guidance on how to improve on this. For example, a child is shown how to use her fork with the prongs down to help her efficiency. n Staff have embedded rigorous hygiene procedures for the children to follow into the daily routine. n The leaders and staff regularly reflect on their practice and assess the quality of the provision. They have regular planning meetings to ensure that they evaluate children's progress effectively. n Children have opportunities to develop early maths skills within their play. For example, they count the number of skittles that they have knocked over. However, the curriculum for mathematical development for older children is less ambitious.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders fully demonstrate and understand their role in keeping children safe. All staff attend regular training, and additional courses are provided to enhance their knowledge. This includes courses on safeguarding children with disabilities. Staff know how to respond to concerns and the correct reporting procedures to follow. Leaders ensure that recruitment procedures are in place so that staff are suitable to work with children. The deployment of staff is very well organised so that children are always supervised. Staff are conscious of keeping children safe in their environment and risk assessments are effective.

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should:

n develop the curriculum for mathematical development to ensure there are high expectations for older children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 125049 Local authority Croydon Inspection number 10137875 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person The Mulberry Kindergarten Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 020 8656 4945 Date of previous inspection 23 March 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The Mulberry Kindergarten registered in 1997. It is located in South Norwood, in the London Borough of Croydon. The provision is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, all year round. There are 14 members of staff, 12 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 3 to level 6. The provision provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The leader and the inspector carried out joint observations to evaluate the teaching and learning. n The inspector spoke to parents to gain their views about the setting. n Children talked to the inspector about their favourite things to do at nursery. n The inspector held discussions with staff and leaders at appropriate times throughout the day. n The leader and the inspector completed a learning walk and discussed the curriculum for all children.

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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

17 September 2021 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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