The Blackheath Day Nursery

Inspection of The Blackheath Day Nursery The Rectory Field, Charlton Road, Blackheath, London SE3 8SR

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children are happy, settled and purposefully engaged in play. They are curious learners and make excellent progress. They benefit from a broad and challenging curriculum. Children are exceptionally well behaved. They play cooperatively and understand rules that promote sharing and safety. When playing with wheeled toys in the outside play area, toddlers ask their friends if they can have a turn. Children understand sometimes they wait for a turn. They use a sand timer and willingly swap when the sand runs out. Toddlers use the dustpan and brush to sweep spilt sand and put it in the bin independently. Older children cooperatively set the tables ready for mealtimes without prompting by staff. During forest school activities, children take turns to climb trees and wait patiently for others to pass, as they know the rules of walking single file along the pathways.

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The provision is outstanding

Children have very good relationships with staff and each other. Babies develop strong bonds with their key person and enjoy lots of reassuring cuddles. Staff are nurturing, attentive and supportive, which helps children feel safe and secure. All children, including those who have additional needs, are becoming independent learners. All group rooms are hives of activity with children engrossed in activities that successfully promote all areas of learning.

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need to do better?

n The key persons know about their children's care, learning needs and interests very well. They meticulously plan focus activities and organise small and large group story and circle times that optimise children's learning potential. High- quality teaching enables all children to make the best progress. n The ambitious curriculum and high-quality teaching are consistent in all group rooms. Staff know and understand what they want children to learn and in what sequence. Older children are well prepared for school. They show good early writing skills as they write letters and draw pictures of their body parts. They keenly listen to the story about the body and digestive system and take turns to answer questions. They listen well and speak confidently. n Support for children to enjoy outside play is exceptional. Leaders and managers have specifically designed the new outside play area with wall art and carvings

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need to do better?

of patterns, numbers, letters and animals. These inspire children to explore and talk about what they can see and feel. Staff hide small clay animals for children to find among the plants. Children show good spatial awareness and skilfully negotiate walkways when using their bikes, scooters and cars. In the large block area, they build and talk about their designs with staff. They play imaginatively in the mud kitchen and talk about the pies they have made. Children have space to run around in the fields. The forest school activities and nature project enable children to gain hands-on experience of nature and living things.

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need to do better?

26 January 2022 n Toddlers learn about their similarities and differences using mirrors to look at their features. Staff extend children's language skills effectively as they introduce new words. They talk to children about how they brush their teeth, developing their awareness of good oral health. Staff pace the activity well and give children time to think and answer questions. They absorb themselves fully in the activity and are interested to learn. n Staff fully embrace children's creativity with lots of music, singing and dancing. Younger children enjoy exploring a vast range of media. They play with leaves and animals as they sing the farm song with staff. Older children make their own play dough and tell staff that it is too sticky and needs more flour. n Leaders and managers are evaluative, supportive and always strive to improve. All staff work cooperatively and understand their roles and responsibilities. Staff

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need to do better?

support children who have additional needs exceptionally well. Staff promote an inclusive approach and give targeted effective support. n Parents highly praise staff for their caring and positive relationships with children. They value the continuity of care from staff. Parents say that communication is excellent and consistent, including very clear guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, their children are more confident, and staff give feedback on the imaginative and creative ways their children meet their learning goals.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and managers use robust vetting, recruitment and ongoing supervision to help to assure staff's suitability to work with children. Staff know and understand the safeguarding procedures. Regular staff quizzes and relevant training ensure staff's awareness of safeguarding is up to date. Staff know the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about children's welfare, or if any concerns are made about staff. They use effective risk assessments to promote children's safety in the setting and while on outings.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY361480 Local authority Greenwich Inspection number 10210650 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 120 Number of children on roll 103 Name of registered person Bridge Lane Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 0208 3052526 Date of previous inspection 29 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The Blackheath Day Nursery registered in 2007. The nursery is open for 51 weeks a year, on Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery receives funding for free early education for children aged three and four years. The nursery employs 33 staff, including the chef. Of these 32 staff work with the children and 22 staff hold a childcare qualification between level 2 and 5.

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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 This inspection was carried out following a risk assessment process regarding a notification made to Ofsted from the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together. n The inspector held discussions with staff and parents. The inspector reviewed a vast number of emails with comments from parents and took account of their views. n The inspector sampled a range of required documentation, including children's records, staff qualifications and their vetting and recruitment.

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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

26 January 2022 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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