Northcote Montessori Independent Nursery School

Inspection of Northcote House Nursery 67-69 Salcott Road, London, Surrey SW11 6DQ

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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 enjoy their time at the nursery and are making secure progress in their learning. Older children find their name to self-register, and younger children are gently supported to settle. Although there have been some recent staffing issues, children show that they feel secure. The key person system has been developed, and children form close bonds with staff. This supports their emotional well-being. Younger children are eager to explore a range of sensory materials. They are inquisitive as they explore sand, water and foam. They have a particular interest in animals, and staff develop this interest using core books and songs. Babies love to move their bodies to familiar songs. They laugh and copy actions as they sing 'Wind the Bobbin Up'.

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The provision is good

Older children are learning important skills to prepare them for school. They show high levels of concentration during story sessions. Interesting discussions are held about how the body works, and staff explain different concepts to children. Staff explain how signals go to our brain which travel around the body to make different parts of our body move.

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The provision is good

Children's early mathematical skills are supported well. Staff encourage children to count and learn about colours and shapes as they confidently build different structures. All children have regular opportunities to play outdoors and develop their physical mobility. Children are particularly interested in growing and planting. They proudly show sweetcorn and tomatoes they have grown. They know that plants need water to grow and are keen to dig in the soil.

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need to do better?

n The nursery has been through a challenging period. However, the new manager is very enthusiastic and has already introduced many positive changes. Her evaluation has identified appropriate areas to focus on to support children's care and education. Current priorities include building partnerships with parents so that they receive sufficient information about their children's learning. Additionally, systems to further support children who speak English as an additional language are being introduced. n Staff access a range of training courses to develop their skills and knowledge. Baby room staff have recently completed 'Blossoming Babies' training which focuses on brain development to support children's language and communication skills. Staff are now more focused on providing an enabling environment for babies to explore. n The manager and area manager have worked with staff to develop the curriculum and improve the quality of their teaching. They spend time in each of

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need to do better?

the rooms to model good practice and to provide guidance. However, staff are

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need to do better?

26 July 2023 not always clear on how to develop the quality of their interactions to ensure children make the best possible progress. n Staff are sensitive when supporting children's care needs. Staff ask younger children if they can change their nappy and chat to children when changing them to help them feel comfortable. Children have good opportunities to develop their independence. They learn about sun safety and are encouraged to look in the mirror when applying their own sun cream. n Younger children are supported to learn behavioural expectations such as turn- taking and sharing. Toddlers patiently wait for their friends to fill up water containers to water the plants together. However, staff do not always manage pre-school children's behaviour effectively. For example, staff will often ask children to stop a certain behaviour. However, when this continues, staff then ignore the behaviour. Therefore, children do not receive consistent messages

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need to do better?

and may not understand what is expected of them. n Children benefit from a good range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks that are freshly prepared on site. Children enjoy eating homemade bread. They show good levels of independence as they spread the butter themselves and pour their own drinks. n Overall, parents are happy with the care provided to their children, although they expressed some concern regarding inconsistent staffing. Despite this, they are reassured by the new managers' commitment, and they have seen positive changes in the past few weeks. Parents like that their children have opportunities to go on regular outings to the park and fishmongers.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff demonstrate a secure understanding of their duty to protect children and report any concerns about their safety or welfare. Leaders ensure that staff receive safeguarding training so that they can fulfil their responsibilities. The manager has introduced discussions about safeguarding issues during team meetings to share knowledge and develop awareness. There are robust procedures in place to ensure the suitability of staff. Staff support children's safety. For example, they regularly check on sleeping children and ensure outings are safely managed.

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should:

n support staff to identify and make the most of children's learning opportunities to help them make the best possible progress n support staff in the pre-school room to embed expectations for children's behaviour consistently so that children understand what is acceptable behaviour and the impact of their behaviour.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY557361 Local authority Wandsworth Inspection number 10253033 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 122 Number of children on roll 56 Name of registered person Bright Stars Nursery Group Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 02079243696 Date of previous inspection 4 August 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Northcote House Nursery registered in 2018. It is situated in the London Borough of Wandsworth. The nursery opens from 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. The nursery employs 17 members of childcare staff, including the manager. Of these, nine members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 6. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspectors discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager and the inspectors completed a learning walk to discuss the curriculum for children. n The inspectors observed teaching practices indoors and outdoors and considered the impact these have on children's learning. n The manager and the inspectors carried out a joint observation. n The inspectors sampled relevant documentation, including children's two-year progress checks and evidence of staff suitability.

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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

26 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.

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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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