Seahorse Nursery Park House

Inspection of Seahorse Nursery Park House 158-160 Park House, Wimbledon Park, London SW19 8AQ

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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 eager to play with their friends. They are given affectionate reassurance from their key person, and babies snuggle into staff for comfort. Caring relationships are evident. Parents comment on the 'smiling' and 'friendly' staff.

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The provision is good

Staff and leaders are proactive in liaising with other professionals. They have the same ambition for all children and ensure they get the support they need. As a result, all children can access the interesting activities and experiences on offer. Staff consistently use signing and pictures to enhance children's understanding. A visual timetable is used to help some children understand the plan of the day and to feel secure.

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The provision is good

Children are learning to manage their feelings. For example, in the toddler room, they practise yoga and mindfulness. The breathing games help children learn to stay calm. Older children play cooperatively. They are polite and demonstrate good manners, such as spontaneously saying 'please' and 'thank you'.

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The provision is good

Children are offered a good range of healthy food. Those with allergies or other dietary requirements are catered for, to ensure their individual needs are met. Mealtimes are a social occasion and children sit harmoniously together. They talk about their families and tell each other jokes. Children laugh often.

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need to do better?

n The management team is passionate and committed to providing a clear and ambitious curriculum with thematic planning. Before each theme, staff are given information booklets. This supports their planning and understanding of what they want the children to learn. Children learn about farming machinery, vehicles, animals and crops. A visiting farm is planned to reinforce the children's knowledge. Children demonstrate good levels of well-being and show great interest in the thematic activities on offer. n Staff help children to learn about and respect each other's uniqueness and broaden their knowledge. For example, the nursery celebrates Holi, and staff teach the children what this means. Children learn the sign for spring and delight in swirling the coloured powder paint around on the table. They understand colour and can predict the colour that mixing two colours will make. Children practise small-muscle skills as they fill a pipette with water to mix the

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need to do better?

paint and experiment with a brush and their hands. n Staff and leaders have a strong focus on teaching children communication and language skills. The interesting activities provide context for new words to be explored. For example, children learn the names of farm animals through props,

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need to do better?

8 March 2023 songs and stories. Older children learn more complex vocabulary. They learn where different animals live, the name for their babies and what a group of them are called. n There are clear routines throughout the nursery day. However, sometimes, the transitions between play time and mealtimes are not planned effectively for the youngest children. This means that some children become restless and disengaged. Nevertheless, the children's physical needs are well met. They have individual flannels to wash their hands and face, and are changed in a positive and gentle manner. n Forest school sessions provide children with more opportunities to learn about the world around us. They explore the natural environment using their imagination. For example, children make wands out of sticks and leaves. They use mathematical skills when they decide who has the longest or shortest stick. Young children improve their physical skills by climbing the steps and gliding

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need to do better?

down the slide. n Staff develop children's independence skills well. Children learn to feed themselves from an early age. They peel their own fruit and make choices in their snacks. Children learn to hang up their coats, serve their own meals and pour drinks for themselves. They wash their hands and put tissues in the bin. Children show good levels of independence and confidence. n Successful partnerships are formed with parents. Parents are complimentary about the nursery. They appreciate the daily feedback about their child's day and the regular meetings. Parents report that their children's social skills are improving, and their vocabulary is increasing. They welcome the ideas they are given to support their children's learning and development at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a sound knowledge of the signs of abuse and how to report any concerns. They are clear on the procedures to follow if they have concerns regarding a colleague's behaviour. The provider follows robust recruitment procedures to protect children. A minor safety issue was addressed promptly during the inspection. The provider was able to demonstrate that effective risk assessments are in place to support children's safety. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. They are reminded about road safety when they are out on trips, and practise fire evacuation.

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should:

n improve the organisation of transitions from play time to mealtimes for the youngest children, to better support children's engagement.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2673767 Local authority Merton Inspection number 10281457 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 57 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person Seahorse (Park House) Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 02089445989 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Seahorse Nursery Park House registered in 2022 and is based in Wimbledon Park, in the London Borough of Merton. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 6.30pm for 51 weeks of the year. It provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 17 staff, nine of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n Parents spoke to the inspector and their views were taken into account. n Relevant documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including the suitability of staff working at the setting. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager. The inspector observed interactions between staff and children, and the impact on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the provision and curriculum are organised.

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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 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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