Excelsior Nursery Limited

Inspection of Excelsior Nursery Limited Christ Church, St Albans Road, Harlesden NW10 8UG

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children arrive at nursery happy and excited to start their day. They are warmly greeted by their key person and by the manager. Parents share relevant information with staff to ensure children are supported as they move from home to the nursery. Children follow the nursery routines effectively by changing into indoor shoes and putting away their belongings before entering the calm play area. Children who are settling in, and who feel less secure when they arrive, are well supported. They receive warm cuddles from their key person, who talks to them gently and reassuringly to boost their confidence. Staff have high expectations for all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff know their key children very well. They plan stimulating activities based on the resources the children are interested in, ensuring that they make good progress and are always fully engaged in their learning.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. Staff remind children about sharing and cooperating with their friends. They praise them when they behave appropriately and 'do the right thing'. Children are self-assured and confident when interacting with others. Toddlers independently approach staff, engaging them by showing them their favourite toys. Older children happily discuss their preferred activities and the daily routines of the nursery.

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need to do better?

n Children are developing a secure understanding of mathematics and numbers. Staff understand how to incorporate the teaching of mathematics into daily routines. They model mathematical words for comparing sizes, such as 'big' and 'small', which children use in their everyday play. n Staff support children's language and communication skills well. They give clear instructions, ask questions and allow children plenty of time to speak. Older children confidently talk about their thoughts and ideas. Furthermore, staff foster children's interest in books. For example, younger children enjoy looking for pictures of farm animals while staff model the sounds they make. n Children learn that everyone is unique. The resources available to children reflect the diversity of the nursery and the wider community. Children discuss and begin to understand their own uniqueness. They learn about respect and acceptance

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need to do better?

for others. As a result, the nursery has developed a culture that encourages children to celebrate diversity while appreciating and valuing each other. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents feel very well informed about their child's progress. Staff work well with parents to prepare children for new experiences in their life. Parents comment how the nursery is managed 'brilliantly' and how staff 'adore' the children who attend. n Staff feel well supported by managers and comment on how approachable they

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need to do better?

19 June 2024 are. Staff are happy to discuss both personal and work-related issues they are having. They say they receive regular feedback about their practice and have access to training. Staff comment that this supports them to develop their practice with children and enhances the experiences they provide. n Children's good health is a priority. They are provided with healthy and balanced meals. Children gain good physical skills. The outdoor area is spacious and provides good opportunities for children to develop climbing, balancing and jumping skills. Staff organise challenging games using balls and cones to develop children's coordination skills. n Staff interact well with children to extend their learning during planned activities. For example, they help children to make marks using different materials to support their early writing skills. However, when children engage in free-play activities, staff do not engage as consistently to extend children's learning. For

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need to do better?

instance, as children play in the garden and choose their own resources to explore, some staff supervise children rather than engaging with them to further support their learning. n The manager has a strong vision for the nursery. She has clear plans for a well- sequenced and ambitious curriculum with appropriate learning outcomes for children. However, this has not yet been fully embedded. As a result, not all staff are aware of the curriculum intention, and some activities are not pitched at the right level. This means that, at times, some children do not demonstrate high levels of engagement in their learning.

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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 support staff to develop their interactions with children during free-play activities n strengthen staff's understanding of the curriculum intent so that teaching is consistently focused on what they want children to learn.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2666047 Local authority Brent Inspection number 10350670 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 50 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Excelsior Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 02089650721 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Excelsior Nursery registered in 2022. It operates from a church hall in Harlesden, in the London Borough of Brent. The nursery offers care on weekdays from 8am to 6pm, all year round. The nursery employs eight members of staff, including the manager. Of these, six have appropriate childcare qualifications ranging from levels 2 to 6. The nursery provides funded early education for two- and three-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 completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector carried out two joint observations with the manager. n Parents shared their views about the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector spoke with staff and interacted with children. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises.

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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

19 June 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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