Camden Square Playcentre

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements There is a strong sense of community and the setting provides a service to meet a wide range of local needs. Staff demonstrate a commitment to working well together in order to make children feel happy and welcome. They strive to promote equal opportunities so that no child feels left out.

Children go on trips to venues, such as the cinema, swimming and ice skating. Children demonstrate that they feel safe. They look forward to seeing each other and making new friends.

There are inviting indoor and outdoor spaces so that children can be creative. For example, staff work with a theatre company which encourages children to m...ake puppets in preparation for the Camden carnival. Children enjoy playing team sports, and they take risks as they use outdoor climbing equipment.

Children are courteous and friendly towards each other. They like to volunteer to help with tasks during lunchtime routines. Children take turns to ring a bell to tidy up, distribute wipes and monitor bins.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

The setting strives to give children a range of experiences, to meet the needs of children and families from disadvantaged backgrounds. The manager works well with the local authority to support a smooth transition for children into the play centre. There is a strong ethos of respect so that children learn how to live in a diverse community.

Staff are nurturing and provide lots of opportunities for children to develop their confidence. For example, there is a games pitch and children are encouraged to participate in outdoor activities, such as dodgeball, skateboarding, roller skating and riding bikes. Children show confidence as they skilfully climb the train bridge on the outdoor equipment.

They are proud as they manoeuvre across the bridge and call out, 'Look at me!' Children learn about art exhibitions and create portraits of themselves. Staff promote 'singing time', which is a weekly drop-in session for parents and children. This helps children to develop their speech and language skills.

There are good links with other professionals to help children learn about nature through initiatives, including forest schools. There are spaces in the outdoor area to learn about planting and growing. Children are curious to explore the garden for nettle leaves.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff encouraged children to make a rainbow display to talk about their feelings. Staff have regular discussions with children about sensitive topics, such as race and inequalities. This helps children to learn to value similarities and differences in society.

Parents are happy with the setting. They say that staff are very inclusive, caring and know how to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff value the feedback and opinions of children, and work together to decide how best to use the space.

For example, the manager uses a polling system in order to help children decide on whether to build a fish pond. There are systems in place to gather feedback from parents. However, on occasion, this feedback is not acted upon so that changes are made to the play centre effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The premises are safe and secure so that unauthorised visitors are unable to access the building. There are regular playground inspections and risk assessments to minimise any hazards in the environment.

The manager has a robust vetting and recruitment procedure in place to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Staff attend regular training and they can follow the setting's safeguarding and child protection procedures. Children wear equipment, such as wristbands and tee shirts with logos, so they can be easily identified when they go on trips.