Skip to content

Help us get it right

Sign in (free) to send feedback, so we can tell you when it's fixed.

Early years · Report card

Anerley Day Nursery

Inspected 15 Sept 2026 · URN 2845878

Help us get it right

Sign in (free) to send feedback, so we can tell you when it's fixed.

Original PDF ↗

Summary

No overall grade in this frameworkSafeguarding met

Helen Craig

What we read, and from where

Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.

  • Achievement verified

    Expected standard

  • Behaviour, attitudes and routines verified

    Expected standard

  • Children's welfare and wellbeing verified

    Expected standard

  • Curriculum and teaching verified

    Expected standard

  • Inclusion verified

    Expected standard

  • Leadership and governance verified

    Expected standard

  • Framework verified

    Report card

  • Group verified

    Dicky Birds Pre School Nurseries Limited

  • Inspection datesingle source

    15 Sept 2026

  • Inspectors verified

    Helen Craig

  • Postcode verified

    SE20 8BD

  • Name on report verified

    Anerley Day Nursery

  • Safeguarding verified

    Met

  • URN verified

    2845878

Page 1 of 8
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

Join free to get a short, plain-English summary of any report.

Grade profile

Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.

  • AchievementExpected
  • Behaviour, attitudes and routinesExpected
  • Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected
  • InclusionExpected
  • Leadership and governanceExpected

Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

+54Positivemore positive than 24% of reports of this type

In line with other reports of this type.

Praisehigh expectationsfeel safeambitiouspositiveenjoytrusting relationshipshigh qualitystrong
Criticismconcernsinconsistencieslimitedcompromisegaps

How the report reads, start to finish

Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.

FindingsSafeguardingAbout the inspectionLeadershipWhat needs to improve positive critical
  • Findings1529w+58
  • Leadership239w+52
  • Safeguarding51w−11
  • What needs to improve20w0

Strengths

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

Concerns

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

No strong criticism found.

Next steps

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

What the report dwells on

Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.

Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
8
Words of findings
1,839
about usual (typical 1698)
Reading level
Hard
Flesch 48, typical 43
Average sentence
17 words
Next steps
1
typical 3
Hedged sentences
2%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 68%Leadership 11%Safeguarding 2%What needs to improve 1%About the inspection 19%

Full report text

Anerley Day Nursery

Unique reference number (URN): 2845878 Address: Crystal Early Years Centre, The Schoolkeepers House, Anerley Road, London, SE20 8BD Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registered with Ofsted: 07/07/2025 Registers: EYR Registered person: Dicky Birds Pre School Nurseries Limited

p.1

Safeguarding standards met

The safeguarding standards are met. This means that leaders and/or those responsible for governance and oversight fulfil their specific responsibilities and have established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed. As a result, children are made safer and feel safe.

p.1

How we evaluate safeguarding

When we inspect settings for safeguarding, they can have the following outcomes:

p.1

How we evaluate safeguarding

Met: The setting has an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not met: The setting has not created an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not all legal requirements are met.

p.1

Achievement Expected standard

All children including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who may face barriers to their learning make steady progress from their starting points. They develop the skills they need to prepare them for their next stage of learning and subsequent move to school.

p.2

Achievement Expected standard

Children show positive attitudes to their learning and concentrate well on tasks. For example, older children show perseverance as they work together to complete puzzles. They test different pieces, checking if they fit and enjoy receiving praise when they finish. Children develop their fine motor skills as they use scissors to cut out different shapes and tools to roll and cut dough. Babies increase their mobility as they crawl and chase bubbles and explore musical instruments during singing sessions.

p.2

Achievement Expected standard

Children increase their confidence and build their social and communication skills. For example, they ask staff for resources when needed and share their views. Older children talk about their families and experiences and share things they bring in from home for show and tell.

p.2

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Leaders set high expectations for all children's behaviour. Staff have created a positive environment which supports children to manage their behaviour well. They provide regular praise and encouragement and role model expected behaviour. This encourages children to know what is expected of them and understand the nursery rules. Children are encouraged to use good manners, share resources and be kind to their peers. Staff typically give gentle reminders when needed and regularly talk to children about their emotions. They encourage children age appropriately to manage minor conflicts. For example, four children enter the tent outside but understand the rule is only three children. Staff discuss the rules and support them to negotiate and reach a compromise being aware of their own and other feelings. This enables children to develop social skills and work together with their peers.

p.2

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Clear and established routines are in place and 'now' and 'next' boards are used to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to understand the daily timetable. Snack and mealtime routines work well. Staff provide a rolling set up which allows some children to continue playing while others eat. This limits the time children wait to wash their hands and continue with their learning. Routines to support settling in and transitions between rooms are managed effectively. Key persons hand over information which supports children to settle, feel content and continue to engage in their learning. Leaders work with parents to value the importance of punctuality and attendance, ensuring children benefit from their time at nursery and laying the foundations for their future education.

p.2

Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Leaders and staff place a high priority on children's wellbeing including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities from the beginning of their journey at the nursery. An established key person system is in place which enables children to build trusting relationships and feel safe and secure which supports their emotional wellbeing. This also supports ongoing communication with parents and carers enabling them to keep staff updated on their children's changing needs. Staff typically work in partnership with parents to establish individual needs such as feeding and sleeping routines.

p.3

Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Staff typically understand the importance of promoting children's physical skills and experiences outdoors. Children benefit from activities in the garden and trips in the local community to enhance their balance and coordination. Staff support children to learn about healthy food habits as they eat nutritional meals and try new foods. Children develop their self-help skills as they serve food, pour water to drink and wash their hands before eating. Staff have completed additional training to support children with allergies and ensure correct procedures are followed at all times.

p.3

Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Staff show respect to babies and children during personal care routines. They engage in conversations, name body parts and encourage children to increase their independence. Children begin to develop an understanding of their personal safety as they are supported to manage risks when using resources like knives and scissors and climbing equipment as staff model safe choices.

p.3

Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

Leaders have high expectations for all children and plan an ambitious curriculum to enable children to benefit from their time at nursery. Staff plan a range of activities, building on children's fascinations and incorporate children's next steps. Staff use observations and ongoing assessments to track children's progress.

p.3

Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

Generally, staff understand the curriculum and how to implement it. However, there are inconsistencies with interactions and staff teaching across all age groups. For example, at some activities for preschool, children outside and during breakfast time for older babies, staff interaction is limited. This does not support children to engage in conversations to help extend their language skills further. Overall, staff typically engage well, they share stories and sing with children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff position themselves so children can hear and help with pronunciation of words and sounds. Staff babble with younger babies and encourage back and forth interactions. Staff ask meaningful questions giving children time to think and respond. New vocabulary is introduced as children play together and learn about plastic pollution. They sort plastic and

p.3

Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

rubbish in the water tray to help the sea creatures.

p.3

Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

Staff support children to develop their understanding of mathematics through play. Babies become familiar hearing numbers as staff sing and count with them. Staff support toddlers to learn about weights and positional language as they build with bricks and move trains in different directions. Older children name shapes, learn concepts of capacity and play games of lotto to extend their counting and recognition of numbers.

p.3

Inclusion Expected standard

Leaders and staff have embedded a culture of inclusion and diversity across the nursery. This supports all children including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who may face barriers to their learning to feel supported, valued and included. Leaders and staff work in partnerships with parents. They gather a wealth of information when children first start which helps them to gain an understanding of children's individual needs. Observations and ongoing assessments enable leaders and staff to identify any gaps in children's learning or development in a timely manner. This ensures staff can support children with SEND, following the cycle of assess, plan, do and review. Leaders and key staff make referrals when needed and work with a number of additional professionals and the local authority to ensure all children continue to make progress.

p.4

Inclusion Expected standard

Key staff have completed training to assist children who have a range of additional needs. This includes supporting children with their speech and language development, those living with hearing loss and safely meeting the needs of children needing additional support with their feeding. Leaders proactively use additional funding to provide resources and extra staff to meet children's needs.

p.4

Inclusion Expected standard

Staff support children to gain a deeper understanding of the diverse community in which they live. The diverse staff team reflects a range of cultures. Children who have English as an additional language are supported to learn English alongside valuing their home languages and heritage. This increases children's understanding of what makes them unique and learn to value and respect others.

p.4

Leadership and governance Expected standard

Leaders are enthusiastic and dedicated to their role. They have high expectations to provide high quality care and education for all children. This includes children who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

p.4

Leadership and governance Expected standard

Leaders have established effective partnership working with professionals, parents and carers. They actively encourage parents to be involved in their children's learning. Regular updates regarding children's progress and next steps are shared at parents evenings, through online systems and at collection times. Parents speak highly of the care their children receive from the staff team. Their children have made progress with their confidence, independence and social skills and are well prepared for their next stage of learning.

p.4

Leadership and governance Expected standard

Staff state that leaders are very supportive of their wellbeing and ensure their workloads are manageable. Staff engage in regular supervision which enables them to discuss any concerns, reflect on their practice and set targets to help improve their skills. All staff access regular continued professional development to increase their knowledge.

p.4

Leadership and governance Expected standard

Leaders recognise and celebrate the nurseries strengths. They have identified areas for development and work with the company and staff to ensure policies and procedures are followed. Leaders monitor staff practice and use peer on peer observations to help them reflect and review. However, monitoring needs to be more robust to identify and address the inconsistencies in staff engagement and teaching skills, especially to ensure all children's language is fully promoted during play and routines.

p.4

What it's like to be a child at this setting

All children and families are warmly welcomed into this nurturing and friendly nursery. Children's wellbeing is given a high priority which enables flexibility during settling-in periods. This supports new children to settle smoothly, build strong attachments and feel safe and secure. Babies have their changing needs met by caring and attentive staff who are quick to respond. They provide cuddles, recognise when babies are tired or hungry and provide reassurance. This supports all children to increase their confidence and develop a sense of belonging.

p.5

What it's like to be a child at this setting

Children including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities explore the wide range of activities on offer which are planned to develop their skills across the ambitious curriculum. Children show high levels of confidence. They make choices about where they want to play and select resources. Babies develop their physical skills as they crawl through tunnels, climb on soft play equipment and practise walking unaided. Older children balance along tyres and crates, practise kicking balls with greater accuracy and learn to roll hoops. All children benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise.

p.5

What it's like to be a child at this setting

Children enjoy using their imaginations as they act out characters in familiar stories. They make marks as they write shopping lists and discuss with staff the food they need to buy at the supermarket. This extends their early literacy skills. Children explore with a range of natural resources as they pretend to make tea for a tiger. Children extend their fine motor skills as they scoop and pour sand and water and peel fruit to make smoothies. Children learn about the importance of personal care and oral health as they play with the dolls in the water tray. Children use toothbrushes to clean the dolls teeth, wash them with sponges, dry their bodies with a towel and copy staff demonstrations to put on a nappy.

p.5

What it's like to be a child at this setting

Children attend nursery regularly which ensures they benefit from the learning experiences on offer.

p.5

Next steps

Leaders should strengthen staff's understanding of delivering the curriculum especially to promote ongoing communication and language development for all children.

p.5

Address:

Crystal Early Years Centre The Schoolkeepers House, Anerley Road London SE20 8BD

p.6

Address:

Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.6

Address:

Registered person: Dicky Birds Pre School Nurseries Limited

p.6

Address:

Operating hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 07:30 - 18:30

p.6

Facts and figures used on inspection

This data was available to the inspector at the time of the inspection. Leaders should ensure effective systems are in place to monitor staff practice to ensure all staff are consistent in providing high quality teaching for all children.

p.6

About this inspection

The inspector spoke with leaders, staff, children and parents and carers and read parents reviews during the inspection.

p.6

About this inspection

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. This data is from 15 September 2026

p.6

Exceptional

Practice is exceptional: of the highest standard nationally. Other settings can learn from it.

p.7

Strong standard

The setting reaches a strong standard. Leaders are working above the standard expected of them.

p.7

Expected standard

The setting is fulfilling the expected standard of education and/or care. This means they are following the standard set out in statutory and non ‑ statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them.

p.7

Needs attention

The expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements.

p.7

Urgent improvement

The setting needs to make urgent improvements to provide the expected standard of education and/or care. services providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.

p.7

Urgent improvement

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.8

Urgent improvement

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.8

Urgent improvement

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

p.8

Urgent improvement

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

p.8

Discuss this inspection

Members compare notes on inspectors and inspections here. Join free to read and post.

Join the discussion