Clarence House Luton

Inspection of Clarence House Luton 42 Lansdowne Road, Luton LU3 1EE

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Management and staff warmly welcome children on their arrival. Children settle quickly. They behave well and demonstrate a positive attitude to their learning. Staff provide opportunities for children to be physically active in the fresh air. Older children demonstrate their climbing skills as they access large play equipment. They slide down the rope and enjoy descending the slide. Staff provide water and soil for younger children to explore and show them how to build a sandcastle. Children copy, demonstrating their hand-eye coordination skills as they carefully use the spade to fill their pots. Additionally, younger children learn how to make loud and soft sounds as they explore a range of musical instruments in the colourful outdoor play tent.

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The provision is good

Staff build on children's ideas and thoughts. For example, children's interest in robots led to activities such as constructing robots using recycled materials. Additionally, staff broaden older children's knowledge of different landmarks around the world, such as the Taj Mahal and Eiffel Tower. Older children look at the world map, talk about countries they have visited and make pretend passports. Staff encourage older children to use their developing muscle strength as they knead dough. They provide opportunities for older children to practise their scissor skills as they carefully cut flower stems and petals. Children concentrate and persist for a sustained period of time. Staff successfully use this opportunity to talk to children about how flowers grow and bloom.

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need to do better?

n The proactive management team has worked hard to develop and progress the nursery. They have created a home-from-home environment and are continually looking at ways to make ongoing improvements. For example, planning systems have been revised and parent partnerships enhanced. Additionally, the management team supports staff well-being and values the benefits of regular staff training to enhance and refresh their existing knowledge and skills. n The curriculum is planned to support the foundations for the children's future learning. Staff implement an effective key-person system and complete ongoing observations of the children to monitor their progress and well-being. This supports staff to understand each child's personality, interests and ongoing learning needs. Staff demonstrate that they know the children well. However, on occasions, some staff do not use spontaneous opportunities to further enhance

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need to do better?

children's thinking and enjoyment. Additionally, routines, particularly for younger children, are not always effective. For example, when younger children transition from the outdoor to indoor environment in readiness for their lunch, it is disorganised. Some children become upset and wander around the room, and noise levels rise.

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need to do better?

10 April 2025 n Staff provide activities that help develop children's language skills. For example, younger children confidently name different animals and imitate their associated sounds. They enthusiastically 'meow' like a cat and 'moo' like a cow. They learn songs, such as 'Old McDonald Had a Farm'. Staff successfully introduce older children to a wider range of vocabulary through the activities they provide and by frequently sharing storybooks with them. Children listen well, answer questions and show a genuine interest in the illustrations. n Management and staff spend time talking to parents and getting to know children's care needs and stage of development before they attend, for example during settling-in sessions. This helps to ease the transition from home to the nursery. There is a good two-way flow of communication. Parents receive daily feedback and updates about their children's progress via an app. They are

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need to do better?

invited to join special celebrations, such as a Mother's Day tea party. Parents speak positively about the nursery. n Staff support children who receive early years pupil premium. For example, additional funding is used to enable specialist gymnastics sessions. This has supported children to develop their resilience and physical skills while enhancing their confidence and ability to work as a team with their peers. n Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities effectively. They involve parents in discussions and decision-making about their child. Staff work with other professionals to take account of their advice and plan specific activities to support the targets set for each individual child. This ensures all children are included and make progress alongside their peers. n The nursery notified Ofsted regarding a recent incident at the nursery. However, the management team took immediate action to ensure this does not happen

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need to do better?

again. Staff have been reminded of the procedures to follow to ensure all children are accounted for when they come inside from the garden. Head counting procedures have been revised, and a record of this is now maintained.

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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 support staff to use every opportunity to extend children's learning during their spontaneous play n review the organisation of routines to better support children's individual needs and learning outcomes, in particular during transition times for younger children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2736520 Local authority Luton Inspection number 10390986 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 61 Number of children on roll 77 Name of registered person Clarence House Day Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01582 727144 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Clarence House Luton registered in 2023. The setting employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, six members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, from 8am until 6pm. The provider offers government funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years curriculum is organised. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The area manager, manager, staff and children engaged in discussions with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation in the pre-school room. n The inspector took account of the views of parents by speaking to them and from written feedback provided at the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working at 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 April 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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