Woodentots Hive Babies

Inspection of Woodentots Hive Babies Alan Chalmers House, 123 St Pancras Way, London NW1 0SY

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 engage in their learning as soon as they arrive at this calm and nurturing nursery. Staff provide reassurance, making children feel safe and ready to learn. They do this by building strong relationships and providing a stimulating environment. Staff promote children's independence in the nursery. For example, children wipe their own faces and self-serve during mealtimes. The nursery has a blended approach to teaching. For instance, staff offer a Montessori environment at children's level. This supports children to access resources themselves, building on their independence further.

p.2

The provision is good

This nursery is nature orientated; for example, reusable cloths are used and materials are recycled. Children build an awareness of the natural environment around them but also of how to be sustainable. For example, they use shells as bowls during snack time. Children who are confident walkers go to weekly forest school, where they can further explore nature. Staff encourage them to dig for worms and woodlice or listen to the sounds of the outside environment, such as birds. Children access the outside environment daily, where staff support them in their physical development, such as climbing.

p.2

The provision is good

Leaders have high expectations, demonstrated through an ambitious curriculum. This enables children to build their curiosity and develop a love of learning. Staff promote children's early language through songs, signs and good interactions, which extends children's vocabulary and knowledge. There are plenty of opportunities for all children. For example, they work within their community with local musicians and artists. Staff introduce unique learning opportunities, such as bread baking.

p.2

need to do better?

n The nominated individual has a strong focus on creating a calm and happy nursery, which has a motivated staff team. She values continual professional development and ensures that there are training opportunities for staff, as well as team building exercises for enjoyment. The nominated individual is enthusiastic about the future plans of the nursery and strives for improvements. n Children's communication and language are well supported. Staff introduce new words, repeat them and comment on what children are doing. This ensures that children's vocabulary is extended and that new language is embedded. Staff sing songs in groups, read stories or support children's language through their play. They have rich conversations, always at the children's level. Children who speak English as an additional language are also supported well. For example, when reading a story, staff name animals in different languages and describe what

p.2

need to do better?

12 July 2023 n Parents are positive about their children's experiences in the nursery. There is strong communication between the nursery and the families. Parents receive advice about their child's development and how to further support them at home, such as with sleep, weaning and behaviour. n Managers continually observe staff's practice and how to improve the quality of care for children. For instance, they prompt staff to give children more opportunities for independence, such as peeling their own bananas for snack, cutting them and serving their own water. Staff also comment on how well supported they feel for their work-life balance. Staff feel that leaders understand their needs and give them opportunities to learn, and they also respect their home lives and other commitments. n Children move around the nursery, where there is plenty of opportunity to explore in a stimulating environment. Staff encourage children to lead their play

p.2

need to do better?

and support them in doing so. For instance, children investigate sensory bin boxes, with which they use sunflower seeds to post into an egg box, fill and empty pots or just enjoy the sensory experience. n Staff ensure that children have plenty of opportunities. For example, confident walkers go to forest school on a weekly basis, where planned activities are supported by a theme based on children's interests. For example, children pick petals from sunflowers, dig for insects, paint wooden sunflowers, draw with chalk on bark in addition to many more activities. n Staff provide activities based on children's interests. They plan the curriculum to be diverse and unique. For instance, children explore sunflowers in different ways, such as planting and painting cardboard tubes to make sunflowers. However, staff do not consistently think about children's precise next steps in learning when planning activities to further extend their individual development.

p.3

need to do better?

n Children behave exceptionally well. Staff help children to respect each other's space, such as by turn taking and enjoying activities together by helping one another. Staff manage children's behaviour well. When disagreements unfold, they allow children time to reflect and understand their emotions and those of their peers by talking them through and explaining with gestures.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff understand how to keep children safe from harm, inside and outside. During outings or forest school, staff risk assess the environment and set up boundaries to ensure the safety of children. Due to the regular training of staff and ongoing spot checks conducted by leaders, they understand the importance of keeping children safe. Staff know the signs and symptoms of abuse, including female genital mutilation, and understand the 'Prevent' duty guidance. They know to whom to make a referral, and where this information is kept, if they have concerns about a child or adult. Safe recruitment processes are followed, and leaders ensure that ongoing suitability checks are in place so that staff continue to be safe to work with children.

p.3

should:

n focus teaching more precisely on what individual children need to learn next to enhance their development further.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2640779 Local authority Camden Inspection number 10295729 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 18 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person Woodentots Montessori Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 07815 575 344 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Woodentots Hive Babies registered in June 2021. It is situated in Camden, in the London Borough of Camden. The nursery is open all year round, Monday to Thursday, from 8am to 6pm. The nursery employs eight members of staff, five of whom hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 or above. It follows a blended approach to teaching, with influences from Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia, and the provision is nature led, with frequent activities conducted in a forest school.

p.5

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 the nominated individual and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The nominated individual and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The nominated individual and the inspector carried out a joint observation during snack time. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of

p.6

Inspection activities

their views. n The nominated individual showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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

12 July 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