Capital City College Holloway Nursery

Inspection of Camden Road Nursery City & Islington College: Centre for Business, Arts and Technology, 444 Camden Road, London N7 0SP

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children arrive happy and keen to start their day at this well-run nursery. They confidently join their key person, who greets them with a smile and talks to them about the exciting day ahead. Inside, they quickly settle at one of the interesting activities staff have planned for them. Overall, children are well motivated to learn. They explore the provision independently, choosing toys and equipment they are interested in. Staff are always close at hand to support and extend their play.

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The provision is good

Key persons know their children very well. Before children start, key persons talk to parents about children's interests and care needs. This ensures that children's move into nursery is smooth and they quickly feel secure. Ongoing observation and regular assessments help staff to identify any gaps in children's learning and development. For example, following the COVID-19 pandemic, staff identified that some children were struggling to socialise and play with their peers. They immediately put plans in place to support them, providing lots of small-group activities where children could practise their social skills without feeling overwhelmed.

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The provision is good

Children understand the nursery routines and what they should do during key times of the day. They all know when it is time to sit on the carpet and how they should behave while waiting to be called for lunch.

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need to do better?

n Managers have a strong vision for the nursery and are very clear about how to improve it. Supervision and performance monitoring procedures ensure that teaching practice is regularly reviewed. Training and professional development are organised so that staff continue to develop their knowledge and skills. n Managers and staff understand what they want children to learn and why. They focus on the basic skills children need to be successful in their learning, ensuring they will be ready for school. n The majority of children who attend the nursery are beginning to speak English as an additional language. Staff learn words in home languages and provide dual-language books. This helps children to make connections and improves their understanding of spoken English. n Staff provide opportunities for children to talk about and express their emotions. For example, a 'feelings table' is set up in the playroom. Children can select a

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need to do better?

doll to express their current mood. This deepens their understanding of emotions and helps them to regulate their behaviour. Most of the time, children's behaviour is good. However, some staff do not consistently reinforce and praise good behaviour or explain to children why their behaviour is inappropriate.

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need to do better?

8 February 2023 n Communication and language provision is very good. Staff spend lots of time talking to the children. They introduce new words and model their correct usage. Every opportunity is used to develop the children's vocabulary. For example, children sing rhymes and songs during carpet sessions, when tidying up and spontaneously while eating their lunch. n Understanding the world is a strong feature of the curriculum. Children learn about diversity and difference by learning about key festivals and playing with positive small-world toys. They look after and grow a range of plants in the outside area, including fruit and vegetables. Afterwards, they harvest the produce and enjoy eating it. n Most children understand why it is important to look after the learning environment and the equipment they play with. However, some children do not use resources appropriately. Staff do not always remind them or show them how

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need to do better?

to use them correctly. Therefore, these children do not fully access activities and make as much progress as they could. n Children have opportunities to play on their own and with their friends and to join larger group sessions during the day. Taking part in large-group activities helps children develop their personal and social skills, while learning from each other. However, some carpet sessions are quite long, and younger children's attention and focus can suffer as a result. n Partnerships with parents are very good. Parents report that they are kept up to date with their children's learning and really appreciate the daily information that key persons share with them. Parents of children who are beginning to speak English as an additional language highlight how much their children's spoken English skills have developed since joining the nursery.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities to keep children safe. Robust recruitment and vetting systems are in place, ensuring all staff are suitable to work with children. Staff receive regular safeguarding training and know the signs that could indicate a child is at risk. They understand the correct procedures to follow if they have concerns about children's welfare. Staff encourage children to manage their own risks and teach them how to keep themselves safe. Daily checks are completed to identify hazards and reduce risks in the nursery environment.

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should:

n help staff to consistently reinforce good behaviour, supporting children effectively when they are having difficulties

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should:

8 February 2023 n ensure staff model and remind children how to use resources and equipment correctly, improving their access to activities and securing good progress n consider the length of carpet sessions, ensuring all children remain focused and their learning progresses.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY314149 Local authority Islington Inspection number 10265041 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 36 Name of registered person City and Islington College

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reference number

Telephone number 0207 700 8790 Date of previous inspection 23 May 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Camden Road Nursery registered in 2005. It is one of two nurseries run by City and Islington College. It operates in Holloway, in the London Borough of Islington. The nursery is open each weekday, from 8.30am to 5.30pm, term time only. There are six members of staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one holds a qualification at level 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 deputy manager and the inspector completed a learning walk around the setting. They discussed how the curriculum is organised and planned. n The deputy manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of general provision. n The inspector observed staff interactions with children. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

8 February 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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