New River Green Childrens Centre

Inspection of New River Green Childrens Centre New River Green Childrens Centre, 23 Ramsey Walk, LONDON N1 2SX

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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The provision is outstanding

The support for children and their families is exceptional. Staff have a deep understanding of the children they care for. This helps them tailor the curriculum to meet their individual needs. Children are supremely confident, independent and very well behaved. They arrive excited to start their day and separate easily from their parents. Once inside, they quickly become absorbed in one of the rich learning opportunities on offer. All children are extremely motivated to learn. They show high levels of concentration and persevere when activities are challenging for them. Staff have very high expectations. Every child makes excellent progress, including children who speak English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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The provision is outstanding

Staff plan a very cohesive curriculum, based on children's individual interests, age and stage of development. Themes are carefully considered, ensuring that learning in each and every area of the early years curriculum is fully supported. For example, the 'bear hunt' theme provides an opportunity for babies to explore different textures, as they crawl and walk over an array of textured tiles. Older children learn about positional language, as they draw their own maps of the story and go on a 'real' bear hunt in the garden.

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need to do better?

n Managers and staff are dedicated to the children and families who attend. They work closely with family services staff, who are based at the centre, to provide targeted support packages for vulnerable families. This ensures that all children have the best start in life. n Managers provide inspirational leadership. They work tirelessly to improve the provision. All staff are competent practitioners. They are able to self-evaluate their own teaching practice and welcome opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills. They feel their personal and professional needs are fully supported by their managers. n Staff completely understand that happy and content children learn best. They fully support children's emotional well-being. For example, young children who arrive unsettled by the transition from home are comforted by key persons. They cuddle them and look at their profile books with them. They talk about 'how

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need to do better?

much they have grown' and all the things the children can do now that they couldn't do before. As a result, children quickly feel emotionally secure and safe. n All children, including those who are bilingual and/or speak English as an additional language, are becoming extremely confident speakers. Staff skilfully engage children in meaningful conversations and provide a commentary during activities, constantly exposing children to spoken English. They ask open-ended questions and always provide enough time for children to think about their

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need to do better?

3 April 2023 answers. Makaton is used to support their understanding. n Support for children with SEND is exceptional. All staff understand these children's specific needs. They set appropriate development targets with parents and other professionals involved in their care. This ensures that they focus on the areas that children need to improve. n Children's concentration skills are excellent. They persevere for extended periods of time when playing and listen intently during carpet sessions. Staff observe children's play and skilfully intervene, supporting and extending their learning. n Children develop impressive personal and social skills for their age. They are kind to their friends, and older children show real consideration for younger ones. Visual timetables are used across the centre to support children's understanding of routines and prepare them for transitions. Behaviour is consistently outstanding.

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need to do better?

n Outside learning is highly valued. The garden is full of exciting learning experiences. Children find out about the natural world through forest-school activities. They observe plants, insects, birds and frogspawn in the pond area and build a 'frog home', while they wait for the tadpoles to develop. They help clear a pathway, so they can easily access the pond in the coming months. n Parents have nothing but good things to say about the centre and its staff. They appreciate the kindness and compassion their children receive. They highlight how much progress their children make and feel fully informed about their children's learning and development needs. They know that whenever they need advice and/or support, staff will be available to provide it.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff have a very strong understanding of the possible risks to children. They know what to do if they have a concern about a child or a member of staff, and the procedures to follow. Managers continually test the staff's safeguarding knowledge and make sure that all training is always up to date. Staff understand their responsibilities in relation to the 'Prevent' duty and female genital mutilation. Regular staff meetings and supervision sessions are used to discuss any safeguarding concerns. The recruitment of staff is robust and the manager checks ongoing suitability. Robust risk assessments are carried out and appropriate action is taken to ensure the children's safety at all times.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 131721 Local authority Islington Inspection number 10242993 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 91 Number of children on roll 69 Name of registered person The London Borough of Islington

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reference number

Telephone number 020 7527 4813 Date of previous inspection 26 April 2022

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Information about this early years setting

New River Green Childrens Centre registered in 2001. It is situated in the London Borough of Islington. The nursery is open each weekday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round. The centre receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The centre employs 28 staff, of whom 25 hold relevant childcare qualifications from levels 2 to 7.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the centre has 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 Managers and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the curriculum and what it is that the team want the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working at the centre. n The inspector talked to staff and parents at appropriate times during the inspection 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

3 April 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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