Alyth Kindergarten

Inspection of Alyth Kindergarten Alyth Gardens, London, Greater London NW11 7EN

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children form exceptionally close bonds with their key person and other staff. Children are greeted warmly by staff when they arrive at the kindergarten. This promotes children's sense of well-being immensely. Children appear excited and keen to play and meet their friends. The environment, indoors and outdoors, is highly stimulating, engaging and richly resourced. Children choose interesting and challenging things to do. For example, they actively engage in problem-solving activities, such as threading cards, identifying numbers and shapes and matching and comparing, during a wide range of practical activities.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff have very high expectations of all children. They reward children's exceptional behaviour and achievements with high levels of praise and reassurance. This increases children's confidence. Children smile with pride when they are praised for working collaboratively and use their negotiating skills as they construct a tower with magnetic blocks. Children develop their communication skills very well. They thoroughly enjoy participating in discussions, storytelling, singing and rhyme sessions. Children enthusiastically take part in high-quality literacy sessions and learn, for instance, that rhyming words have the same sounds at the end.

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The provision is outstanding

Leaders and staff plan a wealth of activities and experiences that help to enrich children's understanding of equality and diversity. For instance, children gain great enjoyment as they participate in regular cooking activities to celebrate Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. Furthermore, children visit places in the community, such as the church, older people's homes and the local shops. Children are extremely well prepared for school. For example, they practise making marks on paper and in sand with simple tools or water, and use paintbrushes outside. Children are very well prepared for school. All children, including those who receive funded early years education, make extremely good progress from their starting points in learning.

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need to do better?

n Extremely good settling-in procedures support children to feel safe and secure. For instance, prior to children starting, senior staff visit them in their homes. Parents also have the opportunity to attend a weekly playgroup at the kindergarten. n The highly qualified and experienced staff are passionate about how children develop and learn. Working as a team, they use their in-depth knowledge to promote children's strong progress across all areas of the curriculum. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported exceptionally well. Staff are extremely proactive in seeking out specialist support, equipment and resources to enable them to make the best possible

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need to do better?

28 April 2023 progress. n Staff consistently observe children and accurately assess what they can and cannot yet achieve. They use this information exceptionally well to target children's next stage in their development and offer children challenging and interesting activities. n Staff provide excellent opportunities for children to develop their imaginative skills. Children thoroughly enjoy designing and creating flags. They use words, such as 'shimmering' and 'transparent', to describe the colourful craft resources they use. n Children benefit from extensive outdoor activities in the well-resourced garden, where they get plenty of fresh air and physical exercise. Staff meticulously teach children the importance of following hygiene procedures. For instance, using props, children pretend to be dentists and talk about the importance of keeping their teeth clean. Staff are highly proactive in promoting healthy eating and

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need to do better?

encourage children to try a variety of foods. n Staff read stories and use props imaginatively to involve children superbly. Children become engrossed and eagerly anticipate what will happen next. They learn how stories develop and join in and repeat phrases they hear. Children match the props with the pictures in the book. n Partnerships with parents are very strong and valued. Leaders and staff use highly effective systems to share a wealth of information about children's achievements at the kindergarten and at home. Parents' comments are extremely positive about leaders and staff. They greatly appreciate how staff promote and keep children's well-being and learning at the heart of everything they do. n The manager is extremely dedicated and has very high expectations of staff. She takes an active part in the kindergarten, working alongside children and staff. The manager routinely observes teaching and learning. This helps to continually

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need to do better?

raise the quality of staff's interactions with children. n Staff say they are very well supported, and their professional development is actively encouraged. The manager conducts regularly staff appraisals and leads by example. Arrangements for self-evaluation are extremely rigorous. The manager sharply focuses on teaching and learning and values the views of staff, children and parents in this process.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children's safety and well-being are paramount and promoted to the highest level. Staff have an extremely secure understanding of how to identify the signs and symptoms that would concern them about children's welfare. They have an excellent and current understanding of safeguarding procedures. The manager meets with staff to ensure that they understand all policies and procedures and attend relevant training. Leaders and staff work exceptionally well with other agencies to make sure that children receive the necessary help and support. They ensure that the environment, inside and outside, is safe and secure for children,

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Safeguarding

28 April 2023 and minimise any risks. Children take part in fire drills and routines that teach them simple, but effective ways to keep safe. For example, they learn how to use resources sensibly and to keep their hands and fingers away from doors.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2604756 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 10263155 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 49 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person North Western Reform Synagogue

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reference number

Telephone number 0208457 8792 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Alyth Kindergarten re-registered in 2020 and is located in Golder's Green, in the London Borough of Barnet. The kindergarten is open all year round, from 9am to 2.30pm on Monday to Thursday, and from 9am to 12.15pm on Friday. There are 16 staff, of whom 15 hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 or above. The kindergarten receives funding to provide early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the kindergarten received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with staff and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the kindergarten.

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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

28 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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