Early Start Lawrence Avenue

Inspection of Early Start Lawrence Avenue Susan Lawrence Childrens School, Lawrence Avenue, LONDON E12 5QR

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

Children enjoy coming to the nursery and appreciate the well resourced indoor and outdoor areas. Staff provide a welcoming environment where children can easily access various resources and equipment that reflect some of their interests. Children feel safe and secure in the care of the staff. They know they are there to support them emotionally, and they confidently seek comfort from them. For instance, older babies new to the setting approach the staff for cuddles when uncertain about a situation.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff organise a variety of enjoyable activities across all curriculum areas. However, they do not always take into account each child's next steps when planning these activities. This can result in insufficient challenge and unclear learning objectives. As a result, some children occasionally find it difficult to understand how to utilise the available resources or what they are expected to learn.

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The provision requires improvement

Some routine activities, such as story sessions, lack staff engagement to ensure children are focused and attentive during the session. This leads to inappropriate behaviour from some older children, who do not make the progress they are capable of. The key-person system is also ineffective. Some parents are unaware of their child's key person or the next steps in their children's learning. However, staff support children in developing their communication and language skills in other ways. For instance, they encourage singing songs and rhymes. Staff guide younger children's repetition of new words and discuss their experiences with older children to strengthen their speech.

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need to do better?

n Staff carry out assessments of the children and have a clear understanding of their interests and abilities. For example, they recognise that some older children can write their names but struggle to engage and focus during some activities effectively. Staff do not use what they know about the children to consistently plan for the children's next steps to support their progress. Additionally, staff do not fully grasp the learning intentions behind some activities they plan, which results in children being unclear about what they are supposed to be learning. Children are not making the progress they are capable of. n Staff provide parents with some information about their children's daily routines, such as details about meals and sleep times. However, this information does not always include the next steps in each child's learning or guidance on how parents can support their child's development at home. Additionally, some

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need to do better?

parents are unaware of their child's assigned key person, which makes it difficult for them to build a strong relationship with that individual and support their child's overall care.

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need to do better?

12 February 2025 n Older children are familiar with the nursery routines, such as when it is time for outdoor play or brush their teeth. However, routine story sessions are not well organised. At times, staff do not effectively manage these activities, which prevents all children from being fully engaged and focused. Additionally, staff do not consistently remind children of the rules and behaviour expectations. Some children disrupt others who want to participate, while others choose to walk away. Children's behaviour is sometimes less than good. n Staff plan a variety of activities, toys and resources that are arranged in an attractive and safe manner. This setup allows children to explore freely and make spontaneous choices. For example, toddlers joyfully engage with one another as they explore pasta, foam and paint. They take pleasure in using their hands to mix, fill and empty, which helps them develop their fine motor and social skills.

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need to do better?

n Children show their independence by choosing the resources and activities they wish to engage in. They put on their coats before going outside to play, and serve themselves during meals. They also interact with various outdoor equipment, which helps them develop their physical skills. For example, older babies eagerly climb small structures and learn to walk with confidence, while maintaining their balance on large, soft blocks. Meanwhile, older children participate in running races and take pride in naming the winners. n Leaders are committed and keen to enhance the nursery. They have clear plans, including updating the existing action plans and incorporating the views of parents and staff. Furthermore, they work closely with support from the local authority's early years professionals to assist them in this process.

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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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Due date

ensure all staff fully understand how to plan for each child's next stage of learning and incorporate, and follow the learning intent for all activities 28/03/2025

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Due date

12 February 2025 improve the key-person system to ensure a consistent approach to sharing information with parents, particularly with regards to next steps in individual children's learning and to meet their needs. 28/03/2025

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should:

n improve how children's behaviour is managed to help them to engage fully and develop a deeper understanding of expectations, particularly during group activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY543065 Local authority Newham Inspection number 10372240 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 56 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Early Start Education Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0203 373 6050 Date of previous inspection 8 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Early Start Lawrence Avenue registered in 2017 and is one of two nurseries run by Early Start. The setting is in Manor Park, in the London Borough of Newham. It is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks in the year. The provider employs 13 staff. Nine members of staff hold appropriate qualifications in early years at level 3 and one with level 2. The setting offers the government funded places for childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector carried out joint observations of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. 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 talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum.

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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

12 February 2025 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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