Balloon Day Nursery Ltd

Inspection of Balloon Day Nursery Ltd Woolwich Common Community Centre, 17 Leslie Smith Square, London SE18 4DW

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

Managers welcome children into the safe and cosy setting with a smile, asking how their mornings have been and taking them through to their rooms to begin their day. Children separate easily from their parents, settling quickly, happy and engaged in their play. Staff use their ambitious curriculum to set up engaging environments that capture children's attention. Children show sustained focus and concentration in their learning.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of children and, overall, the behaviour of children is good. Staff are positive role models for children, treating each other with kindness and respect. They recognise that children struggle at times to share and take turns. Staff are consistent in supporting children, reminding them to use 'kind hands' and about the importance of letting others have a turn. Staff are full of praise for children when they demonstrate acts of kindness to others, reinforcing this positive behaviour.

p.2

The provision is good

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and children who are learning English as an additional language are well supported. Staff are quick to identify gaps in children's learning and put referrals in place to access early help. The setting works well in partnership with other agencies involved in children's care, learning and development.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff in the setting know their key children well. Children's starting points are accurately recorded and their development tracked. This allows staff to be clear about what children already know and what it is they need to learn next. Children are well prepared for the next stage of their learning. n Overall, the curriculum for communication and language is well promoted. Staff provide children with a language-rich environment. As babies explore a basket of sensory items, staff name the objects the babies pull out, demonstrating how to use them and encouraging them to repeat back single words. Staff provide a narrative to children's play, and children begin to give meaning to pictures they draw or creations they make. However, staff can be overzealous in their questioning of children, forgetting to give them time to process and recall what is being asked before asking further questions. n Staff promote children's independence. Even the youngest babies develop skills

p.2

need to do better?

of independence as they grow in confidence in their abilities. Babies have choice over what they would like during snack, pointing to bowls filled with apples, oranges or bananas. In pre-school, children eagerly set place mats out on the table ready for lunch, making sure everyone has cutlery and a cup at their place. Children pour their own drinks and serve their own portions of rice and chicken,

p.2

need to do better?

6 August 2024 declaring them 'yummy' and going back for second and third helpings. n At the present time, the toddler and pre-school children are together for the quieter summer months. During this time, the lunchtime arrangements do not meet the needs of all children. The children are seated too closely together, meaning drinks are knocked over as children try to reach serving bowls, and the atmosphere can be chaotic. n Staff are extremely enthusiastic in their engagement with children. They facilitate children's games, encouraging them to begin to learn to play alongside each other. Staff get down on the floor with children as they pretend to be sleeping dinosaurs and roar with enthusiasm when they wake up to stomp around. Children are keen to have staff involved in their play, calling them over to show them what they have done. Children flourish under the praise and encouragement given by staff. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents speak extremely positively about the

p.2

need to do better?

setting. They describe the 'warm and caring nature' of staff and how they feel their children's individual needs are met. Parents feel well informed about what their children are currently learning and how they can further support this at home. n Staff in the setting feel well supported by managers. They describe the effective mentoring they receive, the opportunities for further training, and the incentives and rewards that make them feel appreciated for the work that they do.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n provide children with opportunities to recall information and answer questions, before asking further questions, to continue to develop children's communication skills n consider how joint toddler and pre-school lunchtimes are organised during quieter periods to ensure children's individual needs are met.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2684385 Local authority Greenwich Inspection number 10350701 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 55 Number of children on roll 26 Name of registered person Balloon Day Nursery Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 02083165655 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Balloon Day Nursery registered in 2019 and is based in a community centre in Woolwich, in the London Borough of Greenwich. The setting is open from 7.30am to 6.30pm for 51 weeks of the year. The setting employs 11 members of staff, seven of whom are qualified to level 3 and above. The setting accepts early education funding for eligible children.

p.4

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 of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager.

p.5

Inspection activities

n Parents shared their views on the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.5

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.5

Inspection activities

6 August 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.

p.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6