St Thomas's Nursery

Inspection of St Thomas's Nursery St Thomas's Church Hall Complex, Prince George Avenue, Oakwood, London N14 4TL

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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 arrive happily at the nursery and separate from their main carers with ease. They know where to put their belongings and show strong independence skills as they take off their coats. Children are very confident communicators; this includes the many children who speak English as an additional language. Young children enjoy baking activities, where they learn and practise new words, such as 'squishy'. Pre-school children happily chat to visitors and are keen to talk about what they enjoy doing at nursery. They report they are happy and that the staff always look after them.

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The provision is good

Children are developing a positive attitude to learning in preparation for school. Young children enjoy activities based on favourite books and show a good understanding of the sequence of events in stories. Pre-school children are learning how to use books to gain information from. Staff help them to find out about garden birds, such as by reading out statements from factual books. Children are well behaved. Staff model how to be kind and respectful to others. When children occasionally struggle to manage their behaviour, staff calmly intervene to meet children's needs.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff have a clear understanding of what they want children to learn. They plan a curriculum that is based on children's interests and adapted to meet their learning needs. Robust procedures for monitoring children's development help staff to swiftly identify and address any gaps in learning. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress from their individual starting points. n Children are developing strong literacy skills. They readily use books for pleasure and to gain information from. Staff help children to learn how text carries meaning as they read out numbered steps from recipe cards. Young children enjoy using pens to make marks and are beginning to give meaning to their drawings. Many pre-school children can write their names and are interested in how words are formed. n Parent's comments about the nursery and staff are positive. They state that they

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need to do better?

feel well informed about their children's development and know how to support their learning at home. Parents are highly appreciative of the additional support they receive when their children are diagnosed with having SEND. n Children's health and well-being are given high priority. Staff talk about how having snack available over a period of time helps children to listen to their own bodies and eat when they are ready. Children access the outdoor area to get fresh air and exercise their large muscles by balancing and jumping. Staff support children to wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day

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need to do better?

14 March 2023 and discuss the need to remove germs. n Overall, children show good engagement levels and are motivated to learn, particularly in group activities. For instance, children concentrate intently for long periods when making bird feeders. However, there are some occasions when children's, especially boys', free play becomes boisterous and lacks purpose. Some staff actively support these children to challenge their energy into more meaningful learning, however, this is not consistent with all staff. n Staff value and support each child as an individual. They are aware of children's cultural backgrounds and what languages children speak at home. However, staff do not use these wonderful opportunities to help children to celebrate what make them unique and help them to learn what they have in common with others. n The staff team is well qualified and consistent. The manager regularly evaluates their practice and staff undertake continuous professional development to

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need to do better?

enhance their knowledge and teaching skills. Staff report they feel valued and supported, both professionally and personally. They are highly motivated and are keen to continually develop their skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a clear understanding of their role and responsibility to protect children from harm. They know how to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and extremist behaviour. Staff understand the procedure for reporting any concerns and are confident to contact other professionals as needed. They regularly complete safeguarding training and give high priority to ensuring children are safe. The provider has rigorous recruitment procedures in place to help ensure staff are suitable to work with children. A robust induction procedure enables new staff to fully understand their safeguarding responsibilities.

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should:

n support staff to identify when boys' energy and enthusiasm needs re-directing into more meaningful activity and learning n provider further opportunities for children to understand and celebrate what makes them unique and what they have in common with others.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2619375 Local authority Enfield Inspection number 10264971 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 33 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person McGovern, Rita Kathleen

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reference number

Telephone number 07521987756 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

St Thomas's Nursery registered in 2020. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff, who all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, through school term times from 9am until 3pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two- and three-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the nursery. n The inspector had a tour of the premises with the manager and they discussed how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector completed two joint observations with the manager. She observed the quality of teaching and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector met to discuss the leadership and management of the nursery. The inspector looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability checks carried out on staff and safeguarding and complaints procedures. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She also spoke to a number of parents and took account of their views.

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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

14 March 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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