Smart Learning Nursery

Inspection of Smart Learning Nursery Commercial Unit, Mayfair Court, 76 Stonegrove, EDGWARE, Middlesex HA8 7UH

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children arrive happy and settle well for their day with the support of caring staff, who are friendly and welcoming. Staff know the children well and are sensitive to their needs. This helps children to feel safe and secure in staff's care. Children are inquisitive and eager to learn in this well-equipped nursery. Staff have high expectations of all children. This helps children to become more confident and engaged in their learning. For example, children learn about what plants need to grow during group circle time. Then they happily recall the information as they plant seeds in their garden.

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The provision is good

Since the last inspection, leaders have worked tirelessly to make all the necessary improvements so that every child gets the best start and becomes a 'learner for life'. Leaders design the curriculum based on children's interests and what children need to learn next to be successful in their future learning. Staff use the information they gather through observations of children to provide meaningful experiences that help extend children's learning further. All children make good progress in relation to their starting points.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. The interactions between staff and children are warm and positive. Children share resources and play happily with one another. Staff set clear expectations and are good role models. This has a positive impact on children's behaviour.

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need to do better?

n Leaders monitor and evaluate the ongoing performance of the diligent staff team effectively. They provide staff with opportunities to develop their practice to further enhance the quality of experiences for all children. Staff comment that they feel well supported. They are confident in approaching the management team with any issues they may have, both personal and professional. n Staff are enthusiastic and very keen to engage and interact in children's play. Overall, they support children's communication and language well. They get down to children's level when speaking to them. Children benefit from rich vocabulary. For example, staff introduce new words such as 'extraordinary' and help children to use them during their play. However, on occasion, some staff ask too many questions in quick succession and do not give younger children enough time to process and respond to the questions asked of them.

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need to do better?

n All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, develop a strong interest in books. Staff engage children very well as they animatedly read familiar stories. They provide props to enhance and re-enact stories. Children like to explore books independently and often ask staff to read books of their choice.

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need to do better?

25 May 2023 n Children's physical health and well-being are high priority for staff. Children learn about healthy and unhealthy foods. They follow good hygiene routines as they wash hands regularly. Staff provide healthy, nutritionally balanced meals and snacks that children enjoy. Overall, children's self-care is supported. However, at mealtimes, staff serve the food and snack and clean the table after children have eaten. This means that staff miss these daily opportunities to increase children's independence skills further. n The outdoor area is used well to support children's physical development. Children enjoy exploring water and sand. Children practise their balancing skills as staff challenge them to join in an egg and spoon race. Children run, jump and use the climbing frame confidently. They learn simple rules of some team sports and games, such as football. n Staff prepare children well for the next stages of their learning and

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need to do better?

development, including starting school. For example, staff provide a variety of opportunities for children to strengthen their small muscles through messy play and mark making. Some older children practise their early writing skills. n Children are always kept safe. Staff remind children of the rules, such as how to use the slide safely. Children also learn about road safety as they visit local parks and the shop. This helps them to become familiar with their local community. n Children's mathematical knowledge is supported well. Younger children practise their sorting and categorising skills, as well as shape recognition. Older children correctly match numerals to groups of objects. n The manager and staff involve parents fully in their children's learning. They discuss their children's progress with parents and make suggestions on how they can support learning at home. Parents speak highly of the nursery and the staff.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a secure knowledge of safeguarding and the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. They know when and where to refer concerns they may have about a child in their care. Staff have a clear understanding of what to do if any allegation is made against a member of staff, or if they have a concern about a colleague's conduct. Staff supervise children effectively. They carry out daily risk assessments to make sure the premises are safe for children to play in. There are robust recruitment procedures to ensure the suitability of staff working with children.

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should:

n give younger children the time they need to process and express their thoughts,

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should:

25 May 2023 to enhance their communication skills even further n develop children's independence further during daily routines.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY474090 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 10269687 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 24 Number of children on roll 23 Name of registered person Syed, Monuzza Saeed

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reference number

Telephone number 020 8958 5557 Date of previous inspection 29 November 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Smart Learning Nursery registered in 2014. It is owned by a private provider and operates from commercial premises in a residential block of flats in Edgware, in the London Borough of Barnet. The nursery is open each weekday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays. The nursery employs six staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and/or level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector evaluated an activity together, during a joint observation. n Relevant documentation was checked and discussed, such as Disclosure and Barring Service checks and first-aid training. n The inspector had discussions with staff and parents and took their views into account. n The quality of education was observed and the inspector assessed the impact this has on children's learning.

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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

25 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.

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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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