Fernbank Childrens Centre

Inspection of Fernbank Childrens Centre Fernbank Day Nursery, 1a Fountayne Road, LONDON N16 7EA

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 arrive happily and feel safe and secure in a stimulating learning environment. They settle readily and choose from a range of planned activities and available resources. New babies receive lots of cuddles and attention from their key person to help them settle. Children make friends to play with, and they develop secure attachments with staff through the year. Their behaviour is good as staff show awareness of children's emotional well-being.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are motivated to learn from new experiences. For example, older children eagerly try out mathematical comparative activities and vocabulary when measuring sand in different-sized containers. Younger children learn to roll and fold play dough into different shapes. They practise new skills. For example, babies imitate movements as they listen to the enthusiastic singing with sign language by staff. Children listen intently and follow instructions. They learn to draw, and older children write their names. This helps to promote their small-muscle development and early literacy skills. Children learn to move in different ways outdoors and have good opportunities to develop their core strength, for instance when using a climbing wall. Babies enjoy regular outdoor sessions where they learn to explore natural resources. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress in their learning from their starting

p.2

The provision is good

Children are becoming increasingly independent in their self-care skills. For instance, staff encourage babies to use spoons to feed themselves from an early age. Toddlers learn to manage their personal care needs and wash their hands before mealtimes. This helps children to learn lifelong skills ready for their future.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders have clear plans for a well-sequenced and ambitious curriculum with appropriate learning outcomes for children. Staff are aware of the curriculum intentions, and activities are pitched at the right level. This means that, at most times, children demonstrate high levels of engagement in their learning. However, staff do not always have relevant information about children when they move to a different group. As a result, they cannot always continue immediately with plans to meet children's needs soon after transition. n Children learn about the world and their local community. They go on trips to local places of interest, such as parks and playgrounds. Children learn about a variety of celebrations, which helps them to develop an understanding of the lives of their friends. Children learn about healthy meals as staff discuss this during the daily activities. For example, staff help children to think about

p.2

need to do better?

nutritious food as they talk about their breakfasts during a creative activity.

p.2

need to do better?

11 September 2024 n Children are developing a secure understanding of mathematics and number value. Staff have a good knowledge of how to bring the teaching of mathematics into everyday routines. They model mathematical words during lunch, such as 'one more spoonful' and 'a smaller portion', which children then repeat in their interactions. n The strategies for children who speak English as an additional language are generally effective. For settling babies, keywords in children's home language are used sometimes. This helps to increase children's sense of belonging and allows children to feel comforted in their care. n Children benefit from a language-rich environment. Staff engage children in conversations and provide a narrative while they play. They support children to develop a love for books and reading. Children thoroughly enjoy joining in with storytelling and singing at group times. Older children take part in group

p.2

need to do better?

activities and take turns to talk and share their views. n Partnership working is strong. Links with the local authority are good. Children with SEND are supported well, with staff using relevant support from external services. Staff work closely with the local schools and other professionals. Staff are alert to any signs that a child might need additional support. n Parents speak highly of the staff at the nursery. They comment that they are kept well informed through regular emails about their child's care, learning and development. Parents report that dropping their children to their child's room has had a positive impact on their involvement in their children's learning. They feel that since attending the nursery, their children have made good progress in many aspects of their development. n The leadership team has a good understanding of what the setting does well and what it needs to improve. However, staff do not all have regular supervisions

p.3

need to do better?

to discuss their well-being. They feel that they would benefit further from ongoing professional support.

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 strengthen the sharing of children's information as they move on to different rooms, so that their learning outcomes are consistently high n provide more targeted supervision for all staff, to support their well-being at work.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY432745 Local authority Hackney Inspection number 10351417 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 68 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Jubilee Primary School Governing Body

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 02088 066622 Date of previous inspection 5 September 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Fernbank Children's Centre registered in 2011. It is situated in Stoke Newington, in the London Borough of Hackney, and it is managed by the Jubilee Primary School Governing Body. The nursery is open on weekdays, from 7.45am to 5.45pm, for 48 weeks of the year. The provider is in receipt of funding to provide free early education for children aged nine months to four years. There are 20 members of staff, of whom 18 hold relevant qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 7.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The leader and inspector completed a learning walk together in all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum for the age groups. n At suitable times during the inspection, the inspector spoke to staff, parents and children and took their views into account. n The staff team explained its role in safeguarding children to the inspector. n The leader and inspector observed interactions between adults and children. They discussed the learning that took place. n The inspector viewed a range of documents relating to safeguarding, the suitability of staff and record-keeping.

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

11 September 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