The Haven

Inspection of The Haven The Salvation Army, Lake Road, Portsmouth PO1 4HA

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children settle in swiftly, eager to explore what staff provide for them to play with. Children show they feel confident and secure in the staff's warm and attentive care. For instance, babies snuggle in to familiar adults as they look at books together and laugh freely as they play. Staff help older children to follow rules and boundaries. For example, they teach children about using 'walking feet' indoors to keep themselves safe. Children listen attentively to what staff say. They show positive attitudes, such as by helping to tidy away resources before it is time to go outdoors to play. Staff offer children plenty of praise and encouragement. They support children's emotional well-being effectively.

p.2

The provision is good

Leaders and managers have a clear curriculum in place for children. They have high aspirations for all children to achieve in their time at the nursery. For instance, leaders and managers encourage children to be curious and eager to learn. They want children to be confident communicators and provide effective support for them. Children also benefit from a wide range of experiences beyond the nursery that enrich their learning. Visits to the farm help them discover and talk about animals, while trips to the seafront spark conversations about the natural world and keeping safe near water. Visits in the local community give children real-life opportunities to practise their social skills. These experiences broaden children's horizons and help prepare them well for their next stage in education.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff know the children they care for well. They understand how they like to learn and what interests them. Staff use this knowledge effectively to build on what children know and can do. For instance, children enjoy playing with water. Staff extend this interest by encouraging older children to explore and discuss which objects sink and float. This approach keeps children motivated, engaged and eager to play and learn. n Staff provide effective support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, (SEND). They readily identify where children have gaps in their learning and put individualised plans in place to help close these gaps. Leaders and managers make good use of additional funding to benefit children and to make the best possible impact on their learning. This helps to ensure children with SEND make progress in their learning. n Leaders and managers identify where staff are best deployed to support

p.2

need to do better?

children's needs. For example, they add in additional staff when new children start in the room. This helps to ensure all children's needs are met. n Staff support children's communication well. For instance, staff sing with babies and teach them conversation skills. Staff teach older children new words, such as when they talk about 'really, really small seashells' before adding in the word

p.2

need to do better?

22 September 2025 'tiny'. Children join in enthusiastically with familiar stories. At times, staff ask children questions to develop their understanding further. However, they do not consistently give children time to think and reply. This does not fully support children to build their developing communication skills further. n Children benefit from a good range of resources and opportunities that staff provide to support their learning. Staff focus on supporting children's social and emotional development. Staff are positive role models who clearly explain new ideas and concepts to children. For instance, they help children to identify what being cross may feel like. Children have good support from staff to help them understand what their feelings are and how to manage them. n Staff promote children's independence well. For example, babies are encouraged to wash their own faces after eating, while older children confidently pour their

p.2

need to do better?

own drinks and sort food waste from rubbish after lunch. At times, however, staff intervene too quickly and complete tasks for children before they have had the chance to think through their own solutions. They do not fully support children to explore their own ideas further. n Leaders and managers have good systems in place to support their staff team. They recognise the importance of positive staff well-being. Staff comment on how they feel valued and appreciated. Staff have access to regular training and development. They say this helps them to feel confident and capable in their roles. n Staff work effectively with parents and external professionals involved with children. This supports good levels of continuity for children's care and learning. Parents comment very favourably about the care and support that staff offer for their children and their families.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n extend opportunities for children to think about the questions staff ask and give them time to reply so that their developing communication skills are more effectively supported n support staff to develop their interactions with children to encourage them to explore their own thoughts and ideas.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY487010 Local authority Portsmouth Inspection number 10407890 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 56 Number of children on roll 47 Name of registered person Salvation Army Trustee Company (The)

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 02392003252 Date of previous inspection 21 January 2020

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Haven registered in 2015. The provision operates from a Salvation Army community centre in Portsmouth, Hampshire. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 8am until 5.30pm, throughout the year. There are 11 members of staff working with the children. Nine members of staff are qualified to level 3. The provision receives funding for early years education for children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they intend for the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector and manager completed a joint observation. n The inspector talked to the staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n A meeting was held between the inspector and manager. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and saw evidence of the suitability of staff. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

22 September 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6