Dandelions Nursery School

Inspection of Dandelions Nursery School St Martin C Of E Church, 134 - 136 Mortimer Road, London NW10 5SN

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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

Children are happy and deeply engaged in this thoughtfully planned and stimulating learning environment. They demonstrate high levels of confidence as they participate in quality interactions with adults and their peers. Children are encouraged to be imaginative and creative through the wide range of activities on offer. They cheerfully dance with ribbons, making large movements with their bodies. Children work collaboratively to build and construct their ideas from available resources. They behave well and respond promptly to staff. Children are clear about staff's expectations and know the nursery routines. They are supported using visual timetables and familiar sounds and songs at transition times.

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The provision is good

Children build strong bonds with their key person, which helps them to feel safe and secure. Staff focus on developing children's understanding of their own feelings and emotions by encouraging them to share how they are feeling as they arrive at the nursery. The nursery has recently introduced the 'colour monster' to help children describe how they are feeling in colours. Overall, staff's expectations are high for all children. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make good progress.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan purposeful and challenging activities, which build on what children have previously learned. For example, children learn what an experiment is and carry out investigations. They investigate to see what happens when they pour water on different types of paper. Staff develop children's language by introducing new vocabulary, such as 'absorb' and 'soak'. n The nursery has a library area where children can choose a book to take home and share with their family. This helps children to develop a love of reading. Children are encouraged to discuss what they remember about the story during circle time. This promotes their language development and builds their confidence to speak in front of others. Children sing familiar songs and listen attentively to stories throughout the day. n Children develop an understanding of mathematical concepts. They count aloud together while they pretend to bake cakes in the home corner. Children name

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need to do better?

shapes on large fish in the water tray and match them with corresponding shapes drawn in hoops on the ground. n Staff question children to assess their knowledge and understanding and encourage discussion around what is being taught. However, they do not always give enough time for all children to be able to think and respond before asking the next question. n Parents speak positively about the nursery and the care provided for their children. They are happy with the level of communication, such as through

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need to do better?

1 December 2022 weekly newsletters and daily feedback. Parents are kept well informed of their children's progress through regular updates online and termly reports. They are invited to parent events to share in their children's learning. n Overall, children who speak English as an additional language make good progress. Staff use visual timetables, symbols and signs and encourage repetition of words to support them to learn English. The manager and staff plan to create individual books for each child that include a range of key words in children's home languages. n Children take part in self-registration when they arrive at the nursery, helping them to feel a sense of belonging. Throughout the day, they make their own choices and are independent in their self-care. They choose their fruit at snack time and carefully scoop it with a spoon into their individual bowl. Children pour their own drinks and clean their faces after eating. Children proudly put their

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need to do better?

coats on independently. n Children are given plenty of opportunities to play and learn, inside and outside. Staff ensure that children receive fresh air and experiences to develop their physical skills. Children carefully navigate steps to the outside areas, balance on beams, throw and catch balls and ride on wheeled toys. n Staff report that they are well supported and receive regular training to keep their knowledge up to date to enhance their practice. Effective staff supervision ensures staff's continuous development and provides regular opportunities to discuss children's progress and next steps in learning. n Staff plan activities around the interests of each child to support them in reaching their full potential. However, occasionally, not all children are provided with the same resources, to enable them to participate in an activity fully.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff understand the importance of keeping children safe. Managers and staff have improved procedures for checking that staff's deployment is effective and children are well supervised at all times. Registers show accurate records of children's attendance, and changes have been made to routines of the nursery to ensure the safety of all children. Staff risk assess the setting before each session to check that the environment is secure and free from hazards. All staff have a good knowledge of child protection issues. They know what action they must take if they are concerned about children in their care or staff in the nursery. Safer recruitment procedures are implemented effectively to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Managers continue to check staff's suitability throughout their employment.

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should:

1 December 2022 n allow children time to respond to questions during activities, to encourage their thinking and allow all children an opportunity to respond n offer all children the same resources and learning experiences during adult-led activities to enable them to participate fully.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2591841 Local authority Brent Inspection number 10251263 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 20 Number of children on roll 19 Name of registered person Dandelions Nursery School Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07462569318 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Dandelions Nursery School registered in 2020 and is situated in the London Borough of Brent. It is open from 8.45am to 3.30pm and offers morning and afternoon sessions, Monday to Friday, during term time. The provider receives funding to provide early years education to children aged two, three and four years. There are four members of staff, each holding relevant childcare qualifications between level 2 and 6.

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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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity.

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Inspection activities

n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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 December 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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