South Acton Childrens Centre

Inspection of South Acton Childrens Centre Castle Close, Acton, London W3 8RX

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive at this exceptional nursery. Children and families are at the heart of everything the nursery does. Key persons build up strong bonds with children from the home visits before they start at the setting, so that they feel safe and secure in their care. Staff have a primary focus of supporting children's personal, social and emotional development, which begins in the under two's room. They recognise the positive impact that children's well-being has on all aspects of children's learning and development. Children immerse themselves in learning that captures their interest.

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The provision is outstanding

All children make outstanding progress from their starting points. This includes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and children with English as an additional language (EAL). The highly ambitious curriculum greatly benefits children with their communication, independence and social interactions. For example, younger children tap their knees in time with nursery rhymes. Children benefit from a highly reflective staff team who follow their interests. For example, older children's interest in colours leads to using tie dye materials and experimenting with mixing colours. Their physical skills develop as younger children balance along the balance beam independently, and older children build and climb soft-play blocks. Furthermore, children demonstrate their impressive turn-taking skills as they wait patiently to have a go.

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need to do better?

n Highly reflective and thoughtful staff implement an extremely well-thought-out curriculum. They find out children's starting points and rapidly provide high quality support to address any gaps in learning. For instance, staff noticed that children needed further social and emotional support, so they set up emotion stations in each classroom to support children. Additionally, embarking on a music project to enhance children's emotional well-being and confidence. n Children with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds receive outstanding support and flourish in their development. The manager and special needs coordinator go above and beyond to ensure that children get every possible resource available to them. For instance, staff ensure that specialist teachers and therapists support children on site. This means that all children get the support they need to reach their full potential. n Children learn stories using props that staff provide to inspire them. They

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need to do better?

demonstrate impressive levels of concentration while they listen to staff read the 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' story, and loudly join in to finish the familiar phrase. Staff provide skilful support to help children learn about story formats and develop their memory skills. As a result, children remember the story and recall it without the book, using props and sign language.

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need to do better?

13 April 2023 n Children receive outstanding high-quality interactions from the staff who care for them and are well supported to develop their communication skills. Staff use sign language to aid communication, and they patiently explain what it is that they are asking children to do. Younger children enjoy interactive music and singing times, where they learn new vocabulary. Older children successfully use sign language to support communication. For instance, children with EAL are encouraged to use their home language along with signing to communicate with staff. As a result, children throughout the nursery are very proficient and confident communicators. n Children's behaviour is consistently impeccable. For example, they show kindness and care to others and involve them in their imaginative play. For instance, children excitedly play peekaboo hiding inside large boxes and wait patiently for their turn. Staff inspire children as they follow instructions on a

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need to do better?

recipe card in the mud-kitchen area, eagerly gathering the ingredients they need from around the garden. Children's excellent behaviour means that little time is lost, and all children are able to focus on their learning. n Parents are very happy with their children's progress and the communication at the nursery. They have electronic means of communicating and speak with the staff daily. Parents say that the setting is 'brilliant'. Staff are very happy at the nursery and the low staff turnover delights the parents, as their children keep the same key person. The staff are also highly effective at liaising with other professionals to make certain that children benefit from consistent individual support of the highest quality.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff have a secure knowledge on how to keep children safe from harm and have an excellent knowledge of safeguarding issues. They engage in regular discussions, quizzes and 'on the spot' questions to keep their knowledge up to date. Staff know what to do if they have concerns about a colleague's behaviour. They know that if a concern about a child was not acted on appropriately then they can whistle-blow and contact appropriate professionals themselves. Managers implement stringent procedures to ensure that all staff are safe to be working with the children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY296597 Local authority Ealing Inspection number 10265243 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 70 Number of children on roll 139 Name of registered person London Borough of Ealing

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reference number

Telephone number 0208 992 0724 Date of previous inspection 31 May 2017

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Information about this early years setting

South Acton Childrens Centre registered in 2005. The nursery is located in South Acton, in the London Borough of Ealing. The nursery opens each weekday, from 8am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. A team of 34 staff works with the children. Of these, many hold qualified teacher status and other level 6 qualifications, and the remaining staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery provides funding for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 have taken this into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The headteacher and deputy headteacher joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a language activity. n Parents and carers 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

13 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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