North Islington Nursery School and Childrens Centre

Inspection of North Islington Nursery School and Childrens Centre 110/112 Tollington Park, London N4 3RB

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children enjoy close and affectionate bonds with staff, who know them well and are responsive to their needs. Therefore, children feel happy, safe and secure at the nursery. They settle quickly and are eager to explore the stimulating environment. Children independently access the resources and are confident to speak to visitors and staff. They show positive behaviours and respond well to staff's gentle guidance.

p.2

The provision is good

Children thrive in the highly inclusive environment. Leaders and staff value each child's unique background and abilities. They work hard to give them the best possible start to their education. This includes highly focused teaching within the nursery and support from other professionals where appropriate. As a result, all children, including those who receive additional funding and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress from their starting points.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are keen to explore and thoroughly enjoy the wide variety of experiences on offer. Babies are confident to investigate the spacious indoor and outdoor areas. They progressively develop their strength and coordination as they practise crawling, cruising and walking. Toddlers hone their physical skills further with simple tools. For example, they use rolling pins and cutters to shape play dough. They are keen to display their mathematical knowledge as they talk about sizes and shapes.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders and staff provide a clear and ambitious curriculum for children. This is based on the belief that happy and confident children are best equipped for learning. Consequently, there is a strong emphasis on supporting children's emotional well-being. For example, key staff visit their children at home prior to them joining to initiate trusting bonds between them. Therefore, children develop secure foundations upon which to build their learning. n Children benefit from a language-rich environment, where staff speak, sing and read with them throughout the day. Staff skilfully adapt their speech and incorporate additional support strategies to meet children's differing needs. For instance, they use picture cards and Makaton sign language, to help babies communicate their choices long before they can talk. n Staff celebrate the cultural diversity of children and families throughout the curriculum. They ensure that children who speak English as an additional

p.2

need to do better?

language can hear and use familiar words and phrases alongside English. Therefore, children's English language skills develop rapidly. n Children are enthusiastic and demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. They

p.2

need to do better?

5 May 2023 set their own challenges and show satisfaction in their achievements. For example, toddlers practise until they are confident to balance along a raised plank. Once they have mastered this, they challenge themselves further by jumping off at the end. n Staff are positive role models and treat children with kindness and respect. They gently teach children about the routines and expectations. However, they could do more to help them explore their feelings and the possible consequences of their behaviour. n Children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks at nursery. Staff encourage them to try new foods and are vigilant about their dietary needs, including allergies. This helps to keep children safe and healthy. n Overall, staff support children to become independent with their personal care. For example, toddlers are encouraged to serve their own food at mealtimes. However, at times this support is inconsistent. For instance, some staff

p.2

need to do better?

encourage children to use cutlery, while others allow them to eat with their hands. n Staff say that they are well supported by leaders and other colleagues. They are passionate about early education and motivated to improve their professional skills. For example, staff describe how they have adopted 'In the moment planning', which helps them to foster children's emerging interests and fascinations. n The manager is an effective leader and works hard to foster a happy nursery community. She maintains strong partnerships with other professionals, including services within the children's centre where the nursery is based. This provides a robust network of support for children and parents. n Partnerships with parents are a strength. Parents speak highly of the staff. They are confident that their children enjoy attending and are making good progress. Parents value staff's efforts to include them in their children's learning, such as a

p.3

need to do better?

lending library to encourage reading with children at home. They enjoy nursery events, such as 'Fun Fridays', which help to strengthen their understanding of the curriculum.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders and staff are aware of their responsibilities to keep children safe. They receive regular training to refresh and strengthen their safeguarding knowledge. Leaders and staff are familiar with the indicators of abuse and know how to report any concerns about a child's welfare. They understand how to respond to concerns or allegations about the conduct of a colleague. Staff use risk assessments and daily checks effectively, to help ensure that the environment is safe for children. There are safer recruitment processes in place, and a thorough system for checking the ongoing suitability of staff.

p.3

should:

n help staff to further support children's understanding of their emotions and the possible consequences of their behaviour n ensure that staff provide consistent support to help children become independent with their personal care.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY317201 Local authority Islington Inspection number 10285368 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 46 Number of children on roll 52

p.5

Name of registered person

North Islington Nursery School Governing Body

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 0207 527 4844 Date of previous inspection 4 October 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

North Islington Nursery and Childrens Centre registered in 2006. It is located in Finsbury Park, in the London Borough of Islington. The nursery employs 17 staff to work in the baby and toddler provision. Of these, 15 staff staff hold early years qualifications. One staff member has qualified teacher status and others are qualified at level 6 or level 3. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round. They provide funded early education for children aged two years. On the same site, there is also provision for children aged over two years and up to five years. This part of the school is registered separately with Ofsted. It was not included as part of this inspection.

p.5

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 has taken this into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager showed the inspector around the premises and explained the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of the education and assessed the impact on children's learning. This includes a joint observation with the deputy manager. n The manager and deputy manager met with the inspector to discuss the leadership of the nursery. They ensured that relevant documents were available for the inspector to view. n Parents, staff and children shared their views and experiences of the nursery with the inspector.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

5 May 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7