Kindergarten Forest Hill

Inspection of Kindergarten Forest Hill Christ Church Community Hall, 15b Bellingham Green, London, Lewisham SE6 3HQ

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Inspection date: 4 July 2022 - 21 September 2022

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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

There are trusting relationships throughout this busy and welcoming kindergarten. Children arrive happy to attend and say goodbye to their carers at the door. They receive a warm and friendly greeting from staff on their arrival. Children benefit from the staff's respectful and caring nature and their attentiveness to their individual needs. All children build strong attachments with their key person which supports their emotional well-being.

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The provision is good

Staff promote children's independence and have high expectations based on their capabilities. Children hang up their coats, change their shoes and add items to their labelled baskets with confidence and enthusiasm. This gives them a strong sense of belonging and develops their self-help skills.

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The provision is good

Children engage in a wide range of exciting and challenging activities which promote their interests. As a result, they show good concentration and a positive attitude towards learning. For example, they make predictions and test their theories. They discuss the weight and size of objects with staff before experimenting to see if they will float or sink. Children delight in seeing their predictions proven. This supports their mathematical knowledge and understanding.

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The provision is good

Children behave very well. Staff support them to manage their behaviour and provide gentle reminders. Children show a good understanding of rules, they share equipment and take turns with their peers. Staff support children to learn about their feelings and facilitate self-regulation.

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need to do better?

n Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the spacious and stimulating outdoor area. They develop valuable physical skills by climbing, running around and playing with bats and balls. They learn to ride bicycles in designated lanes, which supports their coordination. They develop an understanding of the natural world and enjoy growing a range of fruit, vegetables and herbs. These experiences enable children to develop valuable skills for their future lives. n Staff plan and implement a well-planned curriculum which builds on children's previous knowledge and skills. They use observations and assessments which ensures all children are making good progress from their starting points. This includes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, the curriculum for younger children is not always consistently implemented during group activities.

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need to do better?

n The kindergarten has developed strong partnerships with parents. They regularly share information about children's development progress, next steps and ideas

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need to do better?

4 July 2022 to continue learning at home. Parents comment on the good progress their children are making, particularly with their language skills and increased confidence. n The staff fully promote a culture of diversity and inclusion. Children communicate in both English and German, which many children speak at home. They sing songs, share stories, celebrate festivals and taste different foods. Parents contribute to show-and-tell sessions and share their cultural experiences. This supports children to learn about their uniqueness and the wider world. n Children benefit from the language-rich environment. Staff fully engage in conversations and skilfully ask questions. The introduction of 'words of the week' is helping children to increase their vocabulary and extend their sentences. Children repeat and use words like 'predict' and 'absorb' as they play. Children communicate confidently and share their ideas and needs.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff regularly evaluate their practice to raise the quality. They review activities and recap on learning to help children consolidate their understanding. They seek views from parents and implement ideas from the borough improvement team. For example, displays have been lowered to children's levels to enhance their interaction and learning. n The kindergarten works well in partnership with other professionals. Visits to the setting and advice shared helps support staff to meet individual children's needs. Leaders have formed links with local schools in the community. Staff have visited school with children to help support their transitions. n Staff promote a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. They have reduced sugar in snacks and teach children about good oral health routines. Children have opportunities to develop their balance and coordination as they use equipment and learn to manage risk.

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need to do better?

n Recent changes to the management structure at the kindergarten have resulted in clear direction and strong leadership. The staff team say that they feel supported and encouraged in their roles and are motivated to do their very best for the children in their care. However, there is scope to drive staff development even further to gain stronger consistency in how the curriculum is implemented.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff use risk assessments and complete daily checks to ensure the environment is safe. All new staff have an induction to the kindergarten and understand their roles and responsibilities. They know the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm or abuse. Staff know the procedures to follow if they have any concerns regarding a child's welfare. Staff have a good understanding of the whistle-blowing policy. However, not all staff have completed safeguarding training regarding the 'Prevent' duty. Staff maintain ratios and supervise children well. The manager ensures all staff are suitable to work with children.

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should:

n build the arrangements for practitioners' professional development even further to enhance consistency in the teaching of the curriculum n review the arrangements for group activities, specifically ensuring that younger children have rich experiences that are within their understanding and fully engage them.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2578329 Local authority Lewisham Inspection number 10239357 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 45 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Kindergarten Forest Hill Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07554619353 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Kindergarten Forest Hill Ltd registered in 2020. The kindergarten operates in Bellingham, in the London Borough of Lewisham. The setting provides care on Monday to Thursday between 8am and 6pm and on Fridays between 8am and 4.30pm, for 44 weeks of the year. There are four members of staff, all hold a relevant childcare qualification at level 3. The kindergarten provides funded early education for children aged two- three- and four-years-old.

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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 her evaluation of the setting. n The manager and inspectors carried out a learning walk together to discuss the kindergarten's intentions for children's learning. n The manager and inspectors carried out joint observations of staff practice and discussed the impact on children's learning. n The inspectors spoke to parents and took account of their views. n The inspectors held discussions with the manager about safeguarding and how she evaluates her practice. n The inspectors looked at relevant documents including paediatric first-aid certificates, qualifications, insurance and suitability checks.

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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

4 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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