Spring - Northumberland Heath

Inspection of Spring - Northumberland Heath Northumberland Heath Childrens Centre, 141 Brook Street, ERITH, Kent DA8 1JD

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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 Good

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The provision is good

The manager and the staff create an environment where children and their families feel they belong. The manager works well alongside staff, and they all know the families and their children's needs. From the moment children enter the nursery, staff are on hand to welcome them warmly into their rooms. All children separate easily from their parents and carers. Staff are nurturing and attentive, and they make sure that all children are settled, happy and feel safe. For example, they know that some babies new to the setting enjoy being rocked to soothe them, which helps them to feel secure.

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The provision is good

Children behave well because staff keep them occupied and engaged in exciting activities. Staff teach older children the rules of the setting so that these children learn to regulate their own behaviour and be kind towards others. Children enjoy their learning and develop positive attitudes towards their friends and good social skills in readiness for school.

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The provision is good

The manager has clear curriculum aims for all children, including those who are most able and those who have gaps in their learning. She knows what she wants children to learn as they progress through the nursery and on to school. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make the best progress they are capable of.

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need to do better?

n The provider has recently strengthened the systems for recruitment and vetting. The manager follows these processes well with ongoing checks to ensure that staff remain suitable to care for children. She has a realistic understanding of the strengths of the provision and what can be done better. She provides regular supervision meetings for staff to help them continually develop their skills and enhance children's learning. n All staff share the manager's vision for children's learning. They understand and implement her curriculum aims well overall. Staff sequence the curriculum well throughout the nursery. Their sharp focus on children's personal, social and emotional development provides the foundation for their future learning. From babies through to pre-school age, all children enjoy opportunities to develop confidence and independence according to their ages and abilities. n Staff help children to become ready for transitions into the different age groups

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need to do better?

within the nursery and for school. Occasionally, they do not take all opportunities to help children concentrate during some activities, for example, when noise levels rise. At such times, some children lose concentration and become distracted. n Staff support children with SEND effectively. They involve them well in the

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need to do better?

22 February 2024 activities that they enjoy. Sometimes, they do not engage them as well in other activities to deepen their knowledge and skills. This does not detract from the good care that staff provides. Staff also work closely with parents and outside agencies to secure the help that children need. n Staff help babies and toddlers to develop their early physical abilities through opportunities to stand, walk and move in different ways. By the time they reach pre-school, children show good physical skills. For instance, they handle tools with increasing control and exercise to develop their larger muscles. n Staff form close bonds with all children to help them develop trusting relationships. Babies new to the setting initially cuddle up with their key person to settle. They become less reliant on this support as they begin to show interest in the activities and experiences that staff provide. Staff use distraction well to

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need to do better?

engage children and to help them develop positive attitudes towards their learning. n Staff across all age groups encourage children to develop good communication and language skills. They narrate play well and introduce new words such as 'massive' and 'hydrated', which older children use in context as they play. They ask interesting questions to help children think and respond. Babies hear new sounds and words during stories, and toddlers enjoy repeating words. Pre-school children confidently speak about what they are doing and can explain the rules, such as only running in the garden. n Staff work well with parents to share information about local services, the nursery and their children's progress. Parents speak favourably about the staff team and the care and education their children receive. They feel that their children are safe, well educated and happy. They report that staff understand their children's abilities and encourage their children's progress well.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n use all opportunities to enable children to concentrate during their everyday routines and activities to prepare them for their future learning n strengthen support for children with SEND to encourage them to socialise and join in even more in all learning experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY539470 Local authority Bexley Inspection number 10332669 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 34 Number of children on roll 70 Name of registered person Action For Children Developments Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01322 431008 Date of previous inspection 6 August 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Spring - Northumberland Heath registered in 2016. It is located in Erith, in the London borough of Bexley. The nursery operates from within Northumberland Heath Children's Centre. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of whom, eight hold early years qualifications at level 3 and two hold qualifications at level 2. The nursery opens Monday to Friday. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector viewed the nursery, and the manager explained how staff use the different areas for children's care and learning. n Parents shared their views about the quality of their children's care and learning. n The inspector and the manager conducted joint observations of planned activities. n Older children spoke to inspector about their food at snack time and about some of their activities. n The inspector sampled relevant documentation, including a sample of records that the provider uses to determine staff suitability. n The inspector spoke to the manager, the senior managers and the staff at convenient times throughout the day.

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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

22 February 2024 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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