Armadillos Preschool And Nursery

Inspection of Armadillos Preschool And Nursery 23 Eastlake Road, London, London, Surrey SE5 9QJ

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

The nursery is bright and spacious, and children arrive happy and eager to learn. Key persons recognise children's needs and are warm and welcoming. This makes children feel safe and secure. Children have access to high-quality equipment and an ambitious curriculum with a variety of inviting and interesting activities. Babies show curiosity and access resources freely through low storage. This supports them to make choices and develop independence skills. Outdoor learning is exceptionally well planned and organised. For example, when pre-school children investigate and explore their natural environment, they use artefacts, magnifying glasses and real snails. They are taught to handle the mini-beasts with care. Toddlers have a large area for digging and choose which fruit and vegetables to plant, enhancing their understanding of the natural world.

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The provision is good

Children are supported well, overall. This includes children who speak English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff work well with parents and other agencies to improve children's development and help them make good progress in their learning. Older children play well with their younger peers and work well together. They respond well to boundaries and demonstrate good behaviour. Staff recognise the impact the pandemic has had on the children, in particular their health and well-being. They used funding to obtain resources, such as a sports coach. This has supported children's physical development and helps them to engage better with each other.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents are strong. They feel welcomed and supported, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents enjoy receiving updates about their children's progress, including regular photos. The setting is reviewing the handover arrangements and considering how to further welcome parents back on board. n Staff provide an interesting curriculum which is designed to give children a wealth of rich experiences. For example, children learn to make their own play dough and explore texture, shape and print. However, group times are not planned effectively enough to focus on the skills younger children need to learn next. In addition, high noise levels and other distractions mean that children become disengaged and they do not fully benefit from the activity. n Managers have strong links with organisations within the local community that support staff and offer opportunities, such as free training and resources. This is

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need to do better?

also utilised to benefit the children and to extend their learning. For example, all children received free books during the pandemic. n Staff identify and address any possible gaps in children's learning at an early stage. They liaise well with other professionals to get children the help they

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need to do better?

19 May 2022 need, alongside the close involvement of parents. n Staff help children who speak English as an additional language to acquire good speaking skills through regular songs and music. They offer good opportunities for children to hear and use their home language in the setting, ensuring that children feel valued and settle in quickly. n Staff successfully help children to understand the importance of good health and oral hygiene through activities and routines. This begins in the baby room where they are encouraged to brush their teeth with songs and rhymes. Babies make brushing teeth motions before they are given the brush, demonstrating that this is a familiar occurrence in their routine. n The manager encourages her staff to reflect on their practice. She regularly evaluates the setting, and the staff work together to make changes and improvements. This is done through allocating each new staff member a mentor

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need to do better?

and through regular supervisions and peer-to-peer observations. n Staff develop strong bonds with children and support their emotional needs well. For example, children who find it difficult to settle benefit from having extra time with their key person and access comfort objects from home. This enables them to feel more emotionally secure. n Staff support babies' early exploration well. The environment is planned and prepared at their level. For example, babies have access to a large area with lots of resources in low storage and baskets. These are labelled with bright big pictures. Babies recognise the equipment and access it independently.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children's safety is given the highest priority. The manager attends appropriate training and regularly updates her safeguarding knowledge, including safer recruitment guidance. All staff members recognise the signs that a child may be at risk of being harmed, including being exposed to extremist views. They know the procedures to follow to report a concern regarding a child's well-being, including whistle blowing. Staff understand the different roles of various agencies and work confidently with other professionals to keep children safe. This includes accessing early help for families when needed. All staff are aware of keeping children safe online and conduct regular risk assessments.

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should:

n improve the implementation of group activities so that they reflect younger children's age and stage of development and support their learning to a higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2531166 Local authority Lambeth Inspection number 10221450 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 35 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Armadillos Nursery And Preschool Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07545962295 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Armadillos Preschool And Nursery registered in 2019. The setting is located in Camberwell, within the London Borough of Lambeth. The nursery is open weekdays from 8am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays. The provider receives funding to offer free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 15 staff who work directly with the children. Of these, six hold qualifications at level 3, six hold level 2 and the manager holds level 5.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The provider discussed the impact of the pandemic, and the inspector has taken that into account in their evaluation. n The inspector viewed the setting and discussed the suitability and safety of the premises with the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while at the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff during the inspection and took account of their views. n The nominated individual and the manager spoke about the leadership and management of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector observed the quality of education being offered and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector looked at the interactions between staff and children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager carried out a joint observation of group activities with the inspector. n Parents spoke to the inspector about their views of the nursery. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to show the suitability of staff.

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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

19 May 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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