The Futures Nursery

Inspection of The Futures Nursery 12 The Slade, London, Kent SE18 2NB

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children develop close bonds with their key persons and settle well on arrival. They show that they are happy as they engage eagerly in play and enjoy sharing experiences with staff and their peers. Children behave well and demonstrate an understanding of behavioural expectations at the setting.

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The provision is good

Older children demonstrate an understanding of mathematical language, such as 'heavy' and 'light'. During play they transport a sieve filled with sand, and comment that it is heavy. Toddlers learn to take care of their personal needs. They fetch a tissue, look in the mirror and clean their face. They learn to get their shoes on for outdoor play. Babies develop coordination and control, for example they learn to climb a small slope. Staff supervise them well during these activities to ensure that they are safe.

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The provision is good

Leaders, managers and staff know the children well and plan a curriculum that aims to close gaps in children's learning. All children including those who need additional support make good progress from their starting points. Parents of children who speak English as an additional language express their view that staff support their children well to build on their communication skills.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and managers reflect well on their practice to review and address any weaknesses and to continually improve outcomes for children. They have improved recruitment processes to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. n Managers have regular meetings with staff to identify and plan for any training needs, and they support staff well-being. For instance, they involve staff in decisions relating to their working hours and they plan ways to support their work-life balance. n Staff carry out regular assessments of children's progress to identify areas in which individual children need further support. They work closely with parents and take necessary steps to seek professional advice for children with special educational needs. Children benefit from a curriculum that meets their individual learning needs. n Partnerships with parents and professionals are strong. Key persons meet regularly with parents and share information regarding children's progress. They

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need to do better?

work closely with schools to ensure a smooth transfer for older children. n Staff use opportunities, such as book reading activities, to encourage older children's contribution to discussions. They read a book to children about feelings and emotions, and ask children questions to stimulate their response. Children say that being 'happy' is a good feeling and being 'scared' is a bad

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need to do better?

2 June 2023 feeling. Children learn to use vocabulary in context to communicate their thoughts and ideas. n Staff introduce older children to the life cycle of living beings and help them learn to care for them. These activities help children to learn about the natural world. n Children develop their early understanding of what makes them unique. For instance, staff use pictures of children's families to encourage discussions regarding children's backgrounds and the countries their families come from. n Staff provide healthy meals for children and encourage good hand washing routines. However, on some occasions staff in the baby room do not plan some activities well enough to continually support children's early understanding of hygiene practices. n Staff teach children to share and take turns during play. Children are happy to help their peers; for example, older children show younger children how to bounce a small ball to make the lights glow.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide regular opportunities for children to play outdoors. Toddlers and older children explore the smells of fresh herbs. They enjoy giving baby dolls a bath, and learn to scoop water and wash the baby dolls. Children are motivated to be physically active. n Younger children are eager to engage in mark-making activities. They learn to make prints on paper with paint. Older children learn to draw pictures using their imagination. However, at times, staff do not provide clear guidance for older children to learn to hold equipment such as pencils effectively, to enhance their mark-making skills further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and managers provide regular training to staff to refresh their knowledge of safeguarding. Staff know how to identify and refer concerns for children's welfare. They understand their responsibility to refer allegations to relevant people within the organisation, or to relevant outside agencies as appropriate. Staff carry out regular risk assessments to ensure that premises and resources are safe for children's use. The management team guide staff practice with regards to children's safety. For example, they develop written risk assessments for specific matters, to ensure that the staff team is clear about the processes to follow.

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should:

n strengthen staff skills, particularly in the baby room, to consistently promote children's early understanding of hygiene practices n consider ways to enhance older children's mark-making skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2526228 Local authority Greenwich Inspection number 10252466 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 43 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Futures Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0208 854 6613 Date of previous inspection 9 August 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The Futures Nursery registered in 2020. It is located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The nursery operates from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. 10 staff work at the setting, of whom one holds qualification at level 6 and six staff hold qualifications at level 3. The nursery offers funded early education places for children aged three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the nursery and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager, deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff spoke with the inspector and shared their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the deputy manager. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation including suitability checks and had discussions with the nominated individual regarding the leadership and management of the setting. 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.

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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

2 June 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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