345 Springfield

Inspection of 345 Springfield The Grove, Alexandra Palace, London N22 7AY

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children are highly independent, and feel exceptionally safe and secure in this inspiring setting. They are welcomed each day to an environment and activities that ignite their excitement and curiosity. For example, children deeply engage in scientific experiments. They jump for joy as their mini volcano erupts and fizzes over. Staff encourage children to solve problems and make predictions, while making their learning extremely enjoyable. Children benefit from warm relationships with staff and peers, and initiate conversations with their friends. They are confident communicators. A culture of respect is fostered through the way staff and children speak to one another.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. Children take turns brilliantly. They use a sand timer to wait for their turn on the rope swing. Children respond well to opportunities for responsibility as they wash their hands and prepare their own fruit at snack time. Children's attitudes towards their learning are outstanding. They think of their own ideas and collect what they need to continue their play. For example, children find binoculars to look at the London skyline, use toothbrushes to brush dinosaurs' teeth and find pots to collect leaves. Children are very proud of their achievements. They hold up their paintings for friends to see and attach their own work to low-level displays.

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need to do better?

n Staff's knowledge of each child is exceptional. They use the information from children's starting points in development and their observations to plan a highly sequenced curriculum. Staff provide children with rich experiences that broaden their horizons and excite them to learn. They provide opportunities which meet children's individual needs and help them to make accelerated progress. n Staff are highly skilled at planning for children's interests and building on what children already know. They prepare and plan resources for mark making, which children turn to spontaneously. For instance, children record which dinosaurs they have found in the fossil dig. Children gain excellent early writing skills, which help to prepare them well for school. n Staff promote a love of reading by putting stories and reference books in all areas. Children know many familiar stories well and enjoy listening to audio

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need to do better?

stories as they eat their healthy snack. They are confident at retelling stories in their own words and creating their own books. n Children benefit from exceptional interactions with staff, who extend children's learning and increase the challenge at every opportunity. During a wonderful drumming activity in the garden, children direct their play and listen to each other's ideas. They demonstrate high levels of involvement and concentration as they experiment with the sound each drum makes, and suggest songs and

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need to do better?

1 July 2022 rhymes. n Staff place a strong emphasis on developing children's communication and language. They model key vocabulary to a high standard, so that children talk confidently about their activities. For example, children explain how they are using the 'pipette to add the vinegar' and that they are 'splitting the tea bag in half so they can see the leaves'. n There are a wealth of opportunities for children to learn about the natural world. They use their senses to explore the unique and vibrant woodland area. They make clay models with natural objects, hunt for insects and create mud paintings n Staff embrace diversity and children's different cultural backgrounds. Children have a varied experience of life in other countries through their play. They ask what certain fruits are in Spanish, try on traditional dress from Kenya as they read the story of 'Handa's Surprise' and make breads from all over the world.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum for physical development is highly ambitious. Staff use their spacious garden expertly well to provide activities that have a positive impact on children's physical health. Children are able to measure their own risk and be active. They hang like 'sloths' on the climbing frame, ride bikes and climb up ladders. n Staff communicate effectively with parents about their children's progress and create special books of their learning journey. They are shared with children throughout the year. Parents are so happy with their child's experiences and the close bonds which they have with their key persons. n The inspirational staff monitor children closely and, with support from leaders, they ensure that all children make rapid progress. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are quickly identified. They are individually supported by skilled staff, so that there are no gaps in children's learning.

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need to do better?

n The experienced and hardworking leaders are extremely effective at reflecting on their practice and supporting their dedicated team through a consistent and embedded vision. Staff have opportunities to attend training and work on ideas together in regular meetings to continuously improve. For example, they attend training on sensory regulation, and supporting children's well-being and children who speak English as an additional language.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff have an excellent understanding of their responsibility to keep children safe and secure. They know who to contact if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Staff have a robust knowledge of the reporting concerns procedure. They use comprehensive indoor and outdoor risk assessments to reduce any potential hazards and keep children safe, especially in the extensive woodland area. Children show a great awareness of safety as they use real tools and hold scissors correctly as they are walking.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 140456 Local authority Haringey Inspection number 10128387 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 27 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person 345 Preschools Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 02084440684 Date of previous inspection 5 February 2015

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Information about this early years setting

345 Springfield registered in 1970. It is a voluntary, committee run provision situated in the Muswell Hill area of North London. It provides funded early education. The setting is open during school term time from 9am to 3.30pm on Monday to Thursday and on Friday from 9am to 12 midday. There are four members of staff working with the children, all of whom have early years qualifications at level 3.

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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 deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to and communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual/registered individual about the leadership and management of the setting.

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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

1 July 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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