Camden Square Playcentre

Inspection of Camden Square Playcentre Murray Street, London NW1 9RE

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This provision does not meet requirements

The quality of the provision has declined significantly since the previous inspection. The provider has identified necessary improvements and has begun to monitor practice. However, they have not ensured recent actions set to meet the early years foundation stage requirements have been suitably addressed. The setting has recently experienced some turbulence due to the changes in the management and staff team. Staff do not work effectively together to ensure the policies and procedures are effectively implemented to keep children safe.

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This provision does not meet requirements

The provider has not ensured staff have an adequate understanding of their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding children. This includes knowing how to identify and report concerns that children may be at risk of harm. Staff do not follow the newly revised safeguarding procedures to ensure all visitors are suitably checked on arrival to keep children safe. They do not always supervise children adequately and risk assessment procedures are not completed effectively. These gaps in practice compromise children's safety.

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This provision does not meet requirements

Children enjoy a wealth of activities, which they freely access. Indoors, they participate in art and craft activities. For example, they proudly make posters together to celebrate their football champions 'The Lionesses'. Outdoors, children enjoy many opportunities to be physically active. They keenly participate in group games, such as football, and enthusiastically jump on the bouncy castle.

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This provision does not meet requirements

Children respond well to clear instructions. For example, they know that it is lunchtime when they hear the bell sound and gather together to enjoy a picnic- style lunch. However, staff do not consistently help children to understand what is expected of them and do not reinforce the setting's rules to help children learn how to stay safe. Arrangements for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are not consistent enough to support all children well.

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need to do better?

n The provider is aware of the strengths of the setting and the identified weaknesses. They have introduced new policies and procedures to support staff. However, necessary changes have not yet been implemented to ensure staff understand how to secure children's safety and well-being effectively. The arrangements to ensure all staff receive effective coaching and supervision are not robust. This results in inconsistencies in the quality of practice within the staff team. n Staff have recently completed safeguarding training. However, they have not acquired the knowledge they need to ensure they follow specific procedures,

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need to do better?

28 July 2025 such as the use of mobile phones at the setting. Staff work in partnership with other agencies to keep children safe. However, the provider has not monitored practice well enough to ensure that required information from other professionals is obtained, and appropriately shared with staff to protect children. n The provider has introduced a revised method to check daily risks in the environment. Staff do not consistently complete checks, so they cannot be sure that risks to children's safety are effectively identified and reduced. Children frequently use the large play equipment outdoors. However, staff do not always follow the agreed procedures when supporting children to navigate the equipment. They encourage children to help one another, without recognising that this may not always be appropriate or help children to learn safe behaviours. n Staff work with parents and other professionals to identify how they can best

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need to do better?

support children with SEND. Some children receive individual support from staff to help them get the most from all the opportunities on offer. For example, some children are guided well to propel forwards on the swings and others delight when learning to fly paper planes. Gaps in staff communication mean that staff are not always aware of the specific needs of some of the children so that they can always support them well. Some children do not receive the planned adult support to ensure their individual needs are met. n Staff do not supervise children effectively in the outdoor area to ensure their safety. Some staff merely watch the children. Some staff provide instructions, but do not engage children in challenging conversations to stimulate their interest in play and children sometimes leave activities prematurely. n Staff take account of children's interests when planning art activities. For example, children enjoy making sea creatures. They diligently fold paper and

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need to do better?

carefully follow staff's clear instructions to make origami objects. However, staff are not organised well enough to ensure that all the programmed activities are actually offered to the children. This means that children do not always benefit from participating in activities they look forward to. n Parents are aware of the setting's policies, such as what might happen if their child has an accident at the setting.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

make sure the identity of all visitors is checked before they are allowed entry to the provision to keep all persons on the premises safe 20/08/2025

p.4

Due date

put effective arrangements in place to ensure staff work as an effective team and follow the setting's policies and procedures to keep children safe 20/08/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure all staff have a secure understanding of the setting's safeguarding policy, are able to identify child protection concerns and follow the mobile phone procedures to protect children's safety 20/08/2025

p.4

Due date

make sure staff obtain the necessary safeguarding information from other professionals and that this is appropriately shared within the team, to protect children's safety 20/08/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure risk assessments are carried out as planned, to identify and reduce risks to children's safety, particularly regarding the equipment and resources in the outdoor area 20/08/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure effective arrangements are in place to support all children with SEND, that include ensuring staff are fully aware of children's individual needs and the planned adult to staff ratios are met 20/08/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure that all children are appropriately supervised at all times to ensure their safety 20/08/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure staff reinforce the setting's rules to support children to understand expected behaviour and learn how to stay safe. 20/08/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure staff work well together to devise and implement a range of activities and interact positively with the children to stimulate and sustain their interest in play. 20/08/2025

p.5

Setting details

Unique reference number 2550373 Local authority Camden Inspection number 10414928 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.6

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Out-of-school day care

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inspection

Total number of places 70 Number of children on roll 532 Name of registered person Play Adventures & Community Enrichment

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reference number

Telephone number 02071835120 Date of previous inspection 31 May 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Camden Square Playcentre registered in 2019. It is located in the London Borough of Camden. The centre operates from 3.30pm to 6pm, during term time, and from 8am to 6pm during school holidays. Thirteen staff work directly with the children. Of these, eight have appropriate early years qualifications.

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Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises with the managers. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and the children. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

28 July 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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