The Learning Experience, East Finchley

Inspection of The Learning Experience, East Finchley 250 East End Road, East Finchley, London N2 8AU

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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 safe and happy in a warm and friendly environment. They access resources independently. This shows that they are settled within the environment. Children benefit from nurturing relationships with caring staff who respond to their individual needs. Babies enjoy peekaboo games. These positive interactions ensure that the children feel secure within the setting. Children demonstrate positive friendly behaviour towards others. Mealtimes encourage children to develop their independence; children serve themselves. The pre-school children help staff to clean the tables after lunch. This enables the children to develop their confidence and self-esteem.

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The provision is good

Children expand their vocabulary by repeating words modelled by staff. They develop their understanding of different concepts. For example, children spend time learning about their senses. The younger children use their sense of smell to identify coffee and oranges. The older children develop their understanding by talking about their five senses while they explore textures such as jelly and custard. Experiences such as these help children to make progress in all areas of the curriculum. Children speak fondly about their time at the setting. They talk about what they have enjoyed doing throughout their day. Outside, the children select funnels and explore, moving water from one tray to another. This helps them to develop their understanding of how things work.

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need to do better?

n The key-person system is well embedded within the setting. Staff know the children well. They are clear about children's individual starting points. Staff can identify the children's next steps within their development. This helps all children to make good progress. n Leaders ensure that the curriculum is well thought out, progressive and ambitious, enabling the children to make steady progress. This supports the children to develop their skills and understanding within all areas of learning. n Partnership with parents is strong. Parents talk positively about the setting and how their children develop. They speak favourably about transitions and how staff support the children when transitioning from one room to the next. These strong partnerships help children to transition easily from home to the setting. n Staff use repetition, labelling and sign language to support the children within their communication and language development. They sing songs to the children

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need to do better?

to help them to understand different concepts. For example, 'Everybody, sit down just like me' is sung to the children at circle time. This helps the children to develop a rich range of vocabulary. However, staff do not always get down to the children's level and engage with them as they play. On these occasions, children do not always progress with their communication and language skills.

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need to do better?

25 January 2023 n Staff ensure that story time is engaging. Children show a genuine interest in books. This helps the children to develop their speech and build on their vocabulary. n The nursery takes on an active role within the community. They provide support to families outside of the setting. For example, the children donate to the local food bank. This teaches them about helping others. n The setting supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effectively. Leaders work closely with outside agencies and charities to ensure that they meet the needs of all children within the setting. This helps each child to make progress within their individual learning journeys. n Leaders plan a clear curriculum for physical development. Children benefit from moving in different ways, such as jumping on different-coloured blocks. This enables the children to develop their gross motor skills.

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need to do better?

n The setting provides opportunities for children to develop their curiosity of cause and effect, for example by rolling balls down tubes at different heights. This enables the children to become active learners, exploring how things work. n Staff ensure that children have opportunities to recall their own experiences. For example, they explore the imaginary equipment while talking about their home lives to support them in their play. This helps the children to feel included within the setting. Children learn to share their ideas with others. n The manager ensures that the induction process for new staff is robust. This ensures that staff are all aware of their roles and responsibilities within the setting. This leads to good outcomes for children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a good understanding of safeguarding and child protection, including whistle-blowing procedures. They know how to report their concerns in a timely manner. The recruitment process ensures that all staff are suitable to work with children. The provider has embedded a robust induction procedure to ensure that all staff understand their roles and responsibilities within the setting. The setting is aware of the children's dietary requirements. They operate a coloured-plate system at mealtimes. This ensures that all the children's dietary requirements are catered for. Staff have received up-to-date paediatric first-aid training. The setting has systems in place for children with allergies.

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should:

n support staff to ensure interactions with children are of a consistently high quality to enable children to develop their skills further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2596384 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 10263089 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 165 Number of children on roll 95 Name of registered person TLE at East Finchley UK Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 020 8444 2638 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Learning Experience, East Finchley is located in the London Borough of Barnet. It was registered in 2020. The nursery is open throughout the year from 7.30am to 6.30pm. It employs 30 members of staff. Of these, 19 staff hold relevant childcare qualifications, ranging from level 2 to level 6. Children in receipt of two-, three- and four-year-old funding attend the setting.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting 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 setting. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager, to assess the quality of education. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors. n The inspector held several discussions with staff during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together to understand how the curriculum is organised. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing at the setting. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND.

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Inspection activities

n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n The inspector spoke with the manager 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

25 January 2023 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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