The Alphabet House Nursery School

Inspection of The Alphabet House Nursery School Alphabet School, Windmill Lane, Stratford, LONDON E15 1PG

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 happy and eager to start their day. Staff create a safe and nurturing space where children feel valued and secure. This contributes to the warm atmosphere felt throughout the nursery. Staff provide all children with magical and well-thought-out activities that will spark their learning. For example, children thoroughly enjoy making porridge as a group. They skilfully add their ingredients and take their time as they mix, scoop and pour. Children proudly declare, 'I did it,' when they have finished.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff place a strong focus on children's communication and language development. They describe their actions, repeat key words and phrases and include interesting vocabulary. For example, children smile as they explore the 'spiky starfish' with staff. Song and rhymes play a big part of the curriculum, and staff and children regularly break out into song. For instance, when children spot a bus on the table, staff and children smile as they start to sing 'The Wheels on the Bus' together.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff are positive role models and are considerate of children's needs and emotional well-being. For example, children enjoy having 'regulation time' as a group, where they can discuss how they are feeling. Staff have high expectations for children, and overall, children's behaviour is good. For example, children carefully watch the sand timer when they are waiting for their turn to play with a particular resource. There is a real sense of community at the nursery. Children enjoy trips to the local shops and fire station where they learn about people who help us.

p.2

need to do better?

n The nursery benefits from a strong management team, which is deeply reflective and evaluative. It ensures that the curriculum meets the needs of each child who attends and addresses any gaps in children's learning experiences. Staff describe an open and supportive environment with lots of opportunities for training and professional development. They have regular supervision sessions with leaders. This helps them to feel valued and listened to. The management team is dedicated to creating an environment that is kind, professional and connected. n Staff use shared strategies to promote children's positive behaviour. For instance, children show immense pride when it is their turn to be the 'behaviour officer' for the day. Staff remind children about 'golden rules', such as using their 'walking feet' indoors and 'gentle hands'. However, staff do not always consistently teach children about the reasons why these rules are important.

p.2

need to do better?

Therefore, children do not always build on their understanding of rules and boundaries to help them to regulate their actions independently. n Staff teach children to develop self-care skills. Babies confidently feed

p.2

need to do better?

8 November 2024 themselves at lunchtime. Toddlers enjoy helping staff to set up for lunch and joyfully say aloud the names of the friends as they put their place mat down. Older children are incredibly proud to show the inspector how they independently put on their own coats when going outside. Staff promote good hygiene practices. Children know they must wash their hands before eating and after sneezing. n Children enjoy the wide range of activities and experiences that staff have planned for them. For example, children happily 'sell' real fruits and vegetables in their outdoor shop in the garden. Toddlers enjoy acting out the different actions they see at the 'Handa's Surprise' planned activity. Staff are passionate in delivering high-quality activities. However, sometimes, in their enthusiasm, some staff do not follow children's interests during spontaneous play and learning. This means that children's curiosity and critical thinking skills are not always fully

p.2

need to do better?

supported. n Children have access to a well-equipped outdoor area, providing them with numerous opportunities to practise their physical and creative skills. For example, older children independently fill a jug and transfer water to their watering cans so they can water their seeds in the growing area. Younger children practise climbing and balancing on the slope. Children and staff have a lot of enjoyment outside, and there is a great deal of laughter and fun during this time. n Parents speak highly of the nursery and appreciate the friendly staff team. Staff keep parents well informed on a day-to-day basis, providing regular updates about children's activities and care routines. They comment that their children always ask to go to nursery, even at the weekends. The leadership team has worked incredibly hard to develop strong partnerships, and parents value being able to spend time in the nursery during stay-and-play sessions.

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 help all staff to recognise when to support children's own interests and fascinations to further support their curiosity and engagement n promote children's understanding further about the rules and boundaries in the setting and why these are important so they develop their knowledge of how to behave and keep themselves safe.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 132241 Local authority Newham Inspection number 10355081 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 78 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person The Alphabet House Nursery Schools Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 020 8519 2023 Date of previous inspection 16 November 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Alphabet House Nursery School registered in 1994 and is in the London Borough of Newham. The nursery is open each weekday, from 8am until 6pm, all year round. It employs 15 members of staff, nine of whom hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 2 or above. The nursery offers the government funded places for childcare.

p.4

Inspection activities

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 observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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

8 November 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