1st Choice Day Nursery

Inspection of 1st Choice Day Nursery 186 Peckham High Street, London SE15 5EG

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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

Leaders and managers know the children and their families well and form close partnerships with parents to support individual children's learning. They plan an ambitious curriculum for all children, to address any gaps in their learning. Children who speak English as an additional language and those who need support with their communication and language development make good progress from their starting points.

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy the regular outings to the park. They behave well and demonstrate an understanding of rules and boundaries. Older children demonstrate an understanding of how to keep safe, for example, as they transfer themselves from the climbing equipment to a pole and slide down confidently. Children enjoy sharing experiences with their friends. For instance, they search for and collect natural objects of their choice.

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The provision is good

Staff teach children to care for each other, share and take turns during play. Younger children form close bonds with the staff. Older children feel comfortable to approach the staff and express their needs when they wish to.

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The provision is good

Staff encourage children to use their imagination in play. Children pretend to sell ice cream. Staff join in their play and pretend to choose from the different flavours on offer. Children have fun and are happy in their interactions with the staff.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and managers provide appropriate training for staff to strengthen their skills in supporting children's behaviour, and to meet the needs of children who need additional support. The staff team assesses children's progress regularly and shares information with parents to help them support children's learning at home. Children are prepared well for next stages in their learning. n Self-evaluation is effective to identify areas that need improvement. There have been some recent changes to the staff team and the provider is in the process of revising the key-person system to strengthen it further. Meanwhile, they have made suitable arrangements for existing staff to share key-person responsibilities for the children who attend. n Staff use their skills well to help children build on previous learning. They read a story to children about animals and use props to encourage children's participation. Children are stimulated to join in. For example, they say, 'the

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need to do better?

camel is grumpy'. They name animals and mimic animal sounds. Children build on their early literacy skills and their communication and language development. n Staff promote opportunities for children to learn about the diverse world. They help children to learn about people's differences and unique needs. For example,

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need to do better?

20 May 2025 they explain that some people may need crutches when they have an injury. Children build on their early understanding of the needs of others. n Staff promote children's creativity. Children use their imagination to plan what they would like to make with construction materials. They say that they are building a house and they add rooms to the house. n Staff provide healthy meals for children and promote their independence. They deploy themselves well to support younger children to learn skills such as using the cutlery. Children understand the routines to follow, and mealtimes are calm and organised. Staff teach children to wash their hands prior to mealtimes. However, they do not consistently promote handwashing routines prior to snack time. n Staff provide opportunities for children to explore natural materials, such as water. As children play with the small-world boats and ducks, staff use the

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need to do better?

opportunity to help children recall their previous knowledge of colours and numbers. They sing number songs and children join in. n Older children learn to express their emotions. Staff support them well to learn to wait for their turn while sharing resources with their peers. Children learn to be kind to others. n Overall, children are keen to join in the activities that staff plan for them. However, during the start of the day, when some staff are yet to arrive, the quality of staff interactions with children are not fully effective to support all children to extend their play and learning.

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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 strengthen opportunities for children to develop a consistent understanding of handwashing routines, particularly at snack times n strengthen the quality of staff interactions with children, particularly at the start of the day, so that children's play and learning are extended consistently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY557980 Local authority Southwark Inspection number 10402203 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 48 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person 1st Choice Day Nursery C.I.C

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reference number

Telephone number 0207635 6408 Date of previous inspection 5 November 2021

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Information about this early years setting

1st Choice Day Nursery opened in 2014 and re-registered in 2018. It is located in Peckham, in the London Borough of Southwark. The nursery is open all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery employs five members of staff, including bank staff. Of these, three staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The provider offers government funded places for childcare.

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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 inspector talked to staff and parents 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 The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n The inspector held discussions with leaders and managers at appropriate times.

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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

20 May 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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