Excel Kids Romford

Inspection of Excel Kids Romford Unit 11, The Mercury Mall, Mercury Gardens, Romford RM1 3EE

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

Staff greet children warmly in the morning. Children separate from their parents quickly and come into the setting happily, demonstrating they feel safe and secure. Staff relationships with children are warm and supportive. Children are quick to be given comfort and reassurance when required, and seek out key staff for cuddles, which they are quickly given.

p.2

The provision is good

Leaders confidently describe their curriculum priorities for children. They place an appropriate focus on language development due to the high number of children that speak English as an additional language. This is seen in practice as staff constantly model language and narrate to children throughout the day, using warm and enthusiastic voices. For example, staff eat lunch with children and use this opportunity to promote discussion around the table. As such, children make good progress in their development of spoken English.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff are quick to step in when children require support with their behaviour. They are clear in their expectations and take the time to explain possible consequences of unwanted behaviour. For example, when children run, staff explain this could result in an accident. Children are generally quick to follow adult instructions and modify their behaviour, leading to an environment that feels calm and purposeful.

p.2

need to do better?

n This unique setting has a large soft play at the centre of its provision, providing ample opportunity for children to develop their gross motor skills. There are many other resources available and plenty of space to explore and play. However, there are limited cosy spaces and resources to promote discussion and interest. Children sometimes play quietly by themselves in this large and open setting as the environment has few communication-friendly spaces. n Staff know their key children well and can confidently describe their likes, interests, and next steps of development. They aim to plan for individual children based on this knowledge. However, there is a tendency to plan fun activities rather than focusing on what they want children to learn and achieve. That said, due to skilful staff interactions, children do make good progress over time. n The setting demonstrates a good understanding of their role in helping prepare

p.2

need to do better?

children for school. For example, staff support preschool children with activity books, and explain this is to develop their attention and listening skills and their ability to understand and complete simple tasks. Staff understand the fundamental skills that children need to be ready for their next stage of learning. n Staff are good models of spoken English. There are strategies in place to support children that speak English as an additional language, such as visual cards to

p.2

need to do better?

26 November 2024 support routines. However, these are not consistently used. This is particularly notable at transition points. For instance, children are taken by the hand for a nappy change without any prior communication. This sometimes disrupts their play and can be confusing for children. n Staff actively listen to children and respond to everything they say. They value children's ideas and allow them to make choices. For example, children share they want to read a certain story, and this is quickly accommodated. Children grow in confidence and learn that their voice and their ideas have value. n Leaders and staff provide good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders are quick to secure support from other professionals and to involve parents in discussions about children that are not meeting their milestones. Staff know these children very well and fully utilise

p.2

need to do better?

their strong ratios to work towards individual targets. As such, children with SEND make good progress from their individual starting points. n Staff share that they are happy working here and feel well supported. However, inductions for new staff are not robust enough to ensure they have the knowledge they need to keep children safe. Other staff demonstrate very secure safeguarding knowledge so this is a weakness in induction rather than a safeguarding concern. This is further mitigated as new staff are not left unsupervised with children. n Leaders have a clear view of the strengths of their nursery and their areas for improvement. They prioritise the continued professional development of their staff and support them to progress in their careers. Parents comment that their children are very happy here and have made notable progress with their language development.

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 review the environment to develop spaces and resources that are more enabling for language development n ensure staff plan activities with clear learning intents to better support children's next steps of development n embed strategies to provide more consistent support to children that speak English as an additional language, particularly during changes in routine n ensure induction procedures for new staff are more robust to fully equip them with the knowledge they need to keep children safe.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2746819 Local authority Havering Inspection number 10372906 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 28 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Excel Kids Day Nursery Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01708 751104 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Excel Kids Romford registered in August 2023. It is based in The Mercury Mall in Romford, in the London Borough of Havering. It is open Monday to Friday, from 9.30am to 6.00pm, during term time only. There are seven members of staff, five of whom hold relevant early years qualifications from level 2 to level 5.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. 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, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. 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

26 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