Abacus Nursery

Inspection of Abacus Nursery 3 Palace Road, London SW2 3DY

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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

Children are happy and settled in the care of attentive and nurturing staff. They feel safe and secure, which is evident in their confidence when interacting with visitors and choosing their own activities. Staff organise the learning environments based on children's age groups. This enables staff to provide targeted support to children related to their next steps in development effectively. Staff plan the curriculum around what children need to learn next, supporting their progress through child-led play. They place a strong emphasis on developing children's communication and language skills. Staff provide a running commentary during children's play. They introduce new vocabulary, and respond positively to children's attempts at communication. This helps children to become confident communicators.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and respond to the clear and age-appropriate expectations that staff set. They listen attentively to instructions. Staff support children to develop important social skills, such as sharing and taking turns. Children take pride in their achievements. For example, they enjoy building houses using a variety of differently shaped wooden blocks in the outdoor garden. Staff plan this activity following children's interest in local construction work that they observe during community outings. Children show excitement when their structures fall, then demonstrate persistence and problem-solving skills as they rebuild them.

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need to do better?

n Leaders provide effective supervision sessions and coaching. These help staff to conduct confident observations and assessments. Leaders provide personalised training to support staff's professional growth and enable them to plan a curriculum that builds sequentially on children's skills. Staff feel valued as their views are considered when evaluating the effectiveness of the setting. This results in purposeful planning and consistent progress across all learning areas. n Leaders and staff work effectively with external professionals to help children to achieve their full potential. They make good use of early years pupil premium funding, such as providing resources for children to practise targeted skills with their parents at home. Staff provide individualised plans to ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive tailored support. As a result, children make strong progress.

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need to do better?

n Staff support children to brush their teeth after meals. They engage children in conversations about dental hygiene, using terms, such as 'cavity' and 'plaque', to build their understanding. Staff ensure that children's lunches are nutritious and meet their individual needs, including allergies and dietary requirements. This supports children to develop healthy routines and an early awareness of self- care.

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need to do better?

26 June 2025 n Staff provide children with access to a wide range of books throughout the day. They regularly read stories, encouraging children to turn pages and point to pictures. Children also explore books independently during their play. This supports children's early literacy development. n Children of all ages access the garden to support their physical development. Older children take part in activities, such as football, climbing, balancing and running games, that build their strength and coordination. Babies also use the outdoor area. However, staff have not considered how their experiences are less physically engaging and purposeful, compared to those of older children. n Leaders and staff plan local outings to places, such as forest school, the library and the farm. They uses these trips to enrich children's learning, deepen their understanding and develop their physical skills. n Children develop good mathematics skills through their play. For example, staff

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need to do better?

encourage children to sort colours and shapes. Children count confidently and describe shapes, such as octagons, in real-life contexts. n Overall, staff support children well to develop their independence. They encourage children to make choices during their play, with babies confidently crawling to low-level shelves to select books and toys of interest. Older children manage aspects of their self-care, such as washing their hands after using the toilet. However, staff do not consistently promote children's independence during mealtimes. n Staff build strong partnerships with parents and carers. They share the focus for upcoming learning and deliver workshops to support children's learning at home. Staff also hold events such as a 'flower show' where parents celebrate children's achievements. This collaboration promotes continuity of learning and boosts children's self-esteem. n Parents say their children thoroughly enjoy attending the setting. They value the

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need to do better?

regular updates on their child's learning and progress, which strengthens home learning and reinforces positive parent partnerships.

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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 monitor the curriculum for babies' outdoor play more closely to provide a richer range of play experiences to further support babies' learning and development n provide opportunities to further promote children's independence at mealtimes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY555683 Local authority Lambeth Inspection number 10398272 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 48 Number of children on roll 88 Name of registered person Abacus Kindergarten Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07957404435 Date of previous inspection 11 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Abacus Nursery registered in 2017. It is based in Brixton in the London Borough of Lambeth. The setting is open all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. It employs 17 members of staff, of whom 12 staff hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 3 to level 6. The setting provides government funded childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The manager discussed with the inspector how staff organise and plan the curriculum, environment and experiences for children during a learning walk. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector evaluated children's learning together. n The inspector held a meeting with the managers. She looked at relevant documentation, including the evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector took account of parents' views, which were gathered during the inspection.

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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

26 June 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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