Starlings Nursery

Inspection of Starlings Nursery (registration until: 19 Dec 2024) Scout Association, York Road, New Barnet, Barnet EN5 1LL

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Staff welcome children warmly as they arrive. They know all the children and show genuine interest in them. They are friendly and caring, and children form close bonds with them. Children seek staff out for a reassuring cuddle or to join in their play. Younger children happily sit on staff's laps as they look at pictures in a book. Older children involve staff in make-believe play as they make food in the role-play area and take it to staff to eat. Staff take time to find out about children's interests and what children can do before they start. They use this information to plan for children's learning and development from the outset.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. Staff teach children to respect each other, to use manners, and to be kind and share the toys with their friends. This helps children patiently wait until it is their turn. Staff foster a family environment as children sit together at snack times and mealtimes. Staff engage children in conversation and encourage them to use utensils correctly. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make the best possible progress from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n The nursery benefits from an extremely knowledgeable and cohesive management team. The team has worked together for many years and is passionate and dedicated in its aim to provide all children with the very best start in life. It has a clear overview of the curriculum and recognises that each child is individual and will learn at their own pace. n There is an experienced and consistent staff team that reflects the management team's enthusiasm and commitment. Staff benefit from regular supervision meetings and many opportunities to continue their professional development. Staff well-being is given the utmost priority. n A strong emphasis is placed on supporting children's communication and language. Staff continually engage children in conversation and encourage them to repeat words and sounds. Older children learn the sounds of letters and can recognise the letter their name begins with. All children enjoy looking at books

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need to do better?

and listening to stories. Staff read children's favourite stories and provide plenty of time for children to share their thoughts and ideas as they talk about the events in the story. Staff encourage children to repeat animal sounds and name the animal from the picture. n Children thoroughly enjoy filling up measuring jugs and containers with pasta and rice, using various-sized scoops. They develop hand-eye coordination as they count the number of scoops and predict how many more they will need to fill the jug to the top. However, there are times when the routines of the day interrupt learning. For instance, while children remain deeply engaged in filling

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need to do better?

10 December 2024 containers with rice and pasta, staff gently usher younger children over to the carpet for circle time, even though they are not ready to stop playing. This has an impact on valuable play and learning time. n Independence starts at an early age, and young children wash their hands, often without prompting, before eating. Children are developing their independence to support them when they go to school, for example serving themselves at mealtimes and pouring their own drinks. Children gain confidence to mange their self-care in readiness for school. n Staff set clear expectations for children's behaviour. They remind children about how to be respectful towards others and praise children's positive behaviours. Staff successfully help children to manage their emotions and learn to interact appropriately with their friends, cooperating effectively. n Staff build on children's curiosity. For example, children build small-world

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need to do better?

villages, connecting train tracks. Staff provide positive interactions that help children learn new vocabulary, such as 'under' and 'over' the bridge. Staff guide learning well, challenging children to predict how they might connect curved train tracks to straight-edged tracks, and help children test their ideas. Children use these newfound skills in their imaginative play. For example, they create 3D Christmas tree decorations with the different-coloured triangle-shaped paper that they need to glue together to create their tree. n Staff thoughtfully join children in their imaginative play, weaving in useful discussion, ideas and learning. For instance, older children develop storylines together in their role play, and younger children are interested in what their friends are doing. Children make links with their home experiences as they role play cooking. Staff carefully plan the environment to provide reading and writing

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need to do better?

materials in all areas. For example, they provide notepads in the kitchen role- play area and books on minibeasts in the small-world play areas. n Partnership working with parents is strong. Staff share information with parents about their child's day, their next steps for learning and how parents can continue with their child's learning at home. Parents are exceptionally happy with the level of care and learning their children receive.

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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 consider the organisation of daily routines so they are more flexible and do not interrupt children's play and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY539994 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 10367418 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 52 Number of children on roll 24 Name of registered person Starlings Education Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 02084419439 Date of previous inspection 7 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Starlings Nursery registered in 2016. It operates from a Scout hall in East Barnet, in the London Borough of Barnet. The nursery operates Monday to Friday, from 8.15am to 4.15pm, term time only. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one is qualified to level 2. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

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 children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection at convenient times. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

10 December 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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