J&S Playhouse

Inspection of J&S Playhouse 23 Heath Road, Thornton Heath CR7 8NF

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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

Children are happy to attend and enjoy their time at this friendly nursery. The staff are kind and caring, and they support children to settle in effectively following a break from attending. This supports all children to build attachments and feel safe and secure. Staff understand the importance of gathering information from parents at the start. They find out what children can do and their changing interests regularly. This helps staff to plan a curriculum that supports all children to make good progress. This includes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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The provision is good

Staff create a supporting environment that promotes independence and team building. Children make choices and show a positive attitude to their learning. They try new activities and receive praise for their achievements. This raises children's self-esteem. For example, children work together to build the train track, cut using scissors and mark make with paint. Staff are skilled at adapting activities and involve children with SEND in all aspects of nursery life.

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The provision is good

Staff role model expected behaviour. They encourage good manners and children eagerly help with small tasks, such as handing out their friend's place mat at snack or tidying away their toys. Children know the routine well. They share resources, wait to take turns at popular activities and behave well.

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need to do better?

n Leaders promote a curriculum that has high expectations for all children's learning. They support staff to provide activities and experiences that are linked to children's interests. To adopt new practice, training and support are provided. However, on occasion, staff are not sure how to use activities to link to children's individual next steps in development, by building on what children already know. n Staff support children with SEND. Alongside leaders, they identify gaps in children's learning at an early stage and work with parents and other professionals to address them. Children are developing well in their learning. n Staff support children's language and communication skills well, overall. They model correct pronunciation and introduce new vocabulary. For example, staff use the word 'sticky' as they make play dough with children. However, some use of techniques, including questioning, are less effective in supporting children's

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need to do better?

skills. For example, staff often ask questions that require only one-word responses. In addition, they do not always observe children's play to ensure that questions are relevant and helpful to extend children's learning even further. n Staff are good role models and interact well with children. However, at times, staff are unsure of their roles and responsibilities during routines and activities at times of the day. Staff sometimes do not organise themselves effectively,

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need to do better?

14 April 2025 particularly when routines change and they are unsure of their role during group activities. For example, on occasion, staff talk over each other when sharing instructions with children. This impacts on the otherwise good support children receive. n Children's physical development is well supported. Children access outdoor activities regularly. They develop their large muscles as they balance to work the see-saw, and ride wheeled toys. Staff remind them of spatial awareness as they eagerly ride the bikes in the garden. Children use their small-hand muscles as they manipulate play dough, make marks and complete puzzles. This supports children's emerging early writing skills. n Children have opportunities to develop their mathematical skills. They keenly count and recognise numerals. Staff encourage mathematical language as they explain to children which is the 'longer' track. Children eagerly recognise shapes

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need to do better?

as they practise their cutting skills. This supports all children to develop their mathematical awareness. n Partnerships with parents are effective at this nursery. Parents comment that children are happy to attend, staff are friendly and they feel supported as a whole family unit. They see their children making progress and receive information daily about what their children have been doing. n Leaders foster a positive and supportive culture. They offer staff continuous development through coaching and training. Leaders provide effective supervision and one-to-one mentoring sessions, which ensure a clear understanding of staff's strengths. They use regular reviews to help to enhance staff's skills and aspirations. Staff feel highly supported and valued.

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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 implement the curriculum more effectively to better meet children's individual learning needs n improve use of techniques, such as questioning, to extend children's thinking communication and language skills more effectively n strengthen staff's understanding of their role so they fully understand what is expected of them, to consistently provide a high-quality learning environment for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2832610 Local authority Croydon Inspection number 10392957 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 37 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person J and S Playhouse Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 02082513064 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

J&S Playhouse re-registered in February 2025 in the Thornton Heath area of the London Borough of Croydon. They operate 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, for 47 weeks of year. The nursery employs 10 members of staff. Of these, all staff hold a relevant childcare qualification, including staff with level 3 and level 2 qualifications, one at level 6, one with qualified teacher status and one at level 8. The provider offers government funded places for childcare.

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Inspection activities

n One of the managers 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 Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with one of the managers. 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

14 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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