The Willow Children's Centre

Inspection of The Willow Children's Centre Barnhill Road, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 9YP

p.1

Inspection date: 22 March 2023 - 18 May 2023

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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

Children are warmly welcomed into this inclusive setting. They settle well and benefit from long periods of time to fully engage in their play and learning experiences. Many children have a wide range of additional needs, and staff skilfully support all children to make good progress. Children's individuality is celebrated and staff build on children's home experiences as they interact with them. Staff's knowledge of their key children feeds into the well-planned curriculum, which children enjoy.

p.2

The provision is good

All children's communication and language development is promoted well, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language. Staff embrace various communication techniques, including sign language, visual prompts and simple gestures. From a very young age, children use these to communicate with staff. For example, babies use signs to explain that they are hungry.

p.2

The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. Staff draw on a range of approaches to manage children's individual needs. They amend and adapt their practice throughout the day to match children's requirements at that time. Staff create a calm environment. They are patient and caring and show a high level of respect for children. Children are taught to be independent in their play, learning and self-care. This gives them the key skills they need for their next steps in life.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider has recently changed senior leaders within the organisation, which was not communicated to Ofsted as required. However, leaders and managers work together as a team to constantly reflect on their setting and implement new ideas to support children's best development. They have a good vision for the setting and know the strengths and areas to develop. Consequently, the breach in requirements has not affected the quality of the childcare provided. n Children develop a love of books in the setting. Staff focus on core books for each age range. Children build on their knowledge of the story to act out key phrases and events in the story. For example, after listening to the story of 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt', children collect a bear from the 'cave' to join them in the mark-making area. They explore sticking mud and grass on their pictures. n Staff support the whole family of the children in their care. They help parents

p.2

need to do better?

with translating key messages and phone calls and ensure that they receive all the extra help they need. Parents feel very well supported and know that their children are safe and developing well. They comment that staff are warm and welcoming and the managers are adaptable to meet their range of needs. n Staff support children's healthy lifestyles. For instance, children enjoy plenty of

p.2

need to do better?

22 March 2023 daily exercise outside in the vast garden space. Staff provide nutritious meals and snacks, which children have regular access to. They promote good oral hygiene habits through daily toothbrushing after lunch. This helps children to understand the importance of looking after their bodies. Staff have recently implemented a rolling snack time routine to encourage children's independence skills even further. However, staff are not always deployed effectively during these times to support younger children and children with SEND to develop their self-care skills further. n Children, parents and staff are very well supported by the highly qualified and experienced special educational needs coordinator (SENCo). She creates good relationships with all professionals. Staff provide quiet spaces for children to use when receiving specialist support from their key person or other professionals. This benefits children who need targeted support.

p.2

need to do better?

n Activities are well thought out and provide suitable challenge for children, which extends their learning. Staff have high expectations for the children. For example, babies make their own sandwiches and use knives to spread and cut their sandwiches. When children find some seeds in their tomato, staff extend the activity and encourage children to use a magnifying glass to look at the seeds. They decide to plant them in the garden to see if they grow. n Staff's training is promoted in targeted areas, such as communication and language development. Staff implement new ideas in a timely manner, and this has a positive impact on children. However, managers do not always check that all staff have understood the information gained from training to enhance their practice to a higher level.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff are aware of the possible signs of abuse and what to do if they have any concerns about children's welfare or the conduct of a member of staff. Managers have strong knowledge of a range of safeguarding issues, such radicalisation and county lines. The building is secure, and daily risk assessments ensure that children are kept safe. Managers follow a robust system when recruiting staff to check that they are suitable to work with children. Safeguarding policies are in place, and information is displayed so that staff know who to contact if they have any safeguarding concerns.

p.3

should:

n support younger children, including those with SEND, to extend their self-care skills during routines, such as snack times n monitor and check staff's understanding following training to enhance their

p.3

should:

22 March 2023 practice to a higher level.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY335023 Local authority Brent Inspection number 10279988 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 98 Number of children on roll 82 Name of registered person London Borough of Brent

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 02089376560 Date of previous inspection 8 August 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The Willow Children's Centre opened in 2006. It is situated in Wembley and is run by the London Borough of Brent. The nursery is open each weekday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round. The provider receives funding to offer early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 27 members of staff, of whom 24 staff have relevant qualifications at level 3.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting 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 setting. n The head joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the head. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n Parents spoke with the inspector to share their views of the setting.

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

22 March 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