Lavender Nursery

Inspection of Lavender Nursery Lavender Children's Centre, Lavender Park Pavilion, Lavender Avenue, Mitcham CR4 3HL

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children are very happy and settled. They are warmly welcomed by staff each day, which helps them to quickly engage in play with their friends. Children develop close bonds with staff, which contributes positively to their well-being. Staff support children's emotional needs effectively. They know children well, follow their lead and plan activities based on their interests and what they need to learn next. For example, children thoroughly enjoy playing outdoors when they find some snails. They watch in awe as the snails move around their hands and delight in collecting plants and water to make homes for them. Staff support children's learning effectively and extend it further by encouraging them to draw the snails before returning them back to the plants to 'go to bed'.

p.2

The provision is good

Children learn to be independent from an early age. They have ample opportunities to practise and manage their self-care needs. For instance, they serve their own food and drinks and enjoy being given the task of 'helper for the day' as they set up the tables before lunchtime.

p.2

The provision is good

Children's physical development is actively promoted and they enjoy taking part in regular exercise each day. They confidently take part in activities as they practise for their upcoming sports day. For example, they learn to throw beanbags and balls, balance, develop their hand-to-eye coordination and move in a variety of ways as they race with their friends.

p.2

need to do better?

n Overall, staff are very confident and have a good knowledge of the areas of learning and what they want children to learn. They plan activities effectively to support children's learning and monitor their development. This helps all children to make good progress and they are well prepared for the next stage in their learning. n The manager and staff work well together to evaluate the effectiveness of the nursery. They have regular meetings to reflect on what is going well and identify any areas for improvement. Purposeful supervision meetings and observations of practice support staff to develop their teaching skills. Training has a positive impact on experiences for children. For instance, all staff have recently received key-person training to further develop their knowledge and skills. n Overall, staff support children's developing language skills well. They speak clearly and slowly and repeat keywords to children for them to repeat. For

p.2

need to do better?

children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language, staff use effective resources and teach children signing to help them to communicate. Small-group times further support children's language skills as they have opportunities to talk to each

p.2

need to do better?

22 June 2023 other and have their say. Visual aids are used to enable all children to make independent choices and be involved. However, this is not consistent throughout. Some staff need more support on how to further support children's communication and language and extend their learning. n The manager and staff have strong relationships with parents, who praise the nursery highly. The staff team regularly shares information with parents about their children's care and early learning. For example, parents are invited to regular stay-and-play sessions, workshops and meetings and are given ideas on how to support their children's learning at home. n Staff encourage children's literacy development effectively. Children enjoy listening to a range of stories and regularly demonstrate their literacy skills during play. For example, older children confidently write their own names on flags they have made for their sandcastles.

p.2

need to do better?

n Overall, staff have high expectations of all children. A consistent approach to managing behaviour ensures that children feel valued and listened to. Children behave well and have good attitudes to learning. For example, they listen to instructions when it is tidy-up time and enjoy helping staff as they sweep up the leaves in the garden. Staff help children to understand about taking turns and sharing toys. n The manager and staff establish strong links with relevant agencies to help ensure that children receive the specialist support they need to help them improve. Staff work well with other providers when the time comes for children to move on, to ensure that there is consistency in their learning and care.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and staff receive regular safeguarding training. They have a good understanding of how to keep children safe and the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child's well-being. Robust recruitment and vetting procedures are in place to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children and have a clear understanding of their role. The manager and staff carry out regular risk assessments to identify and minimise any hazards. Effective staff deployment means that all children are well supervised and cared for.

p.3

should:

n improve the consistency of staff's understanding of how to support children's communication and language and further extend their learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2684046 Local authority Merton Inspection number 10299882 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 72 Number of children on roll 67 Name of registered person London Borough of Merton

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 02082745133 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Lavender Nursery registered in 2022 and is based in Mitcham, in the London Borough of Merton. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.45am to 5.45pm. The nursery employs 16 members of staff. Of these, 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery 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 nursery. n The manager discussed with the inspector how staff organise and plan the curriculum and experiences for children. The inspector viewed the inside and outside space used by the nursery. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact on children's learning. The manager and the inspector evaluated an activity together. n The inspector looked at a sample of the nursery's documents, including evidence of staff's training and suitability. n The inspector held discussions with the manager and staff. She took account of the views of parents.

p.5

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.5

Inspection activities

22 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.

p.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6