Clerkenwell Mount Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are happy and secure as they arrive with their parents and separate with confidence. It is clear that they have made some firm friendships with each other. Mealtimes are sociable occasions where children, including babies, sit on low chairs at the table with staff.

Children show confidence in speaking and listening during this important time. Staff have a good knowledge of the children and plan activities that interest, engage and challenge them. This has a positive impact on the quality of teaching and children's outcomes.

Children benefit from outings to the library where they learn about their community. Ba...bies and toddlers seek comfort from familiar staff. They enjoy looking at books with staff who, for example, use props and sensory resources to keep them stimulated and engaged.

Staff work well as a team and have a good understanding of their responsibilities. They have a shared commitment to providing a quality service for children. A major renovation of the building is under way following close consultation and feedback from staff and parents.

Children have opportunities to be involved in decision making about the activities and resources offered. They behave well and happily share, take turns and involve others in their play.

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

Managers have accurately identified what is working well and some key priorities for development.

They listen to and consider the views of staff, to help identify areas to improve. Managers have accurately evaluated the quality of care and education that children receive. Together with staff they continually reflect on the provision to identify further ways to build on good practice.

The skills and well-being of staff are valued by the managers. Staff have regular supervision meetings where they can discuss key issues. Staff report they feel motivated and supported, and enjoy the benefits of regular training.

Staff promote successful two-way communication with parents to share information about children's development and well-being. Parents spoken to express how much they appreciate the efforts made by the staff and manager. They say their children are happy and enjoy attending.

Staff create a positive environment for children, who respond well to familiar routines. They act as good role models and give children gentle reminders about the plans for the day. Children learn to cooperate and interact positively with their friends, which contributes to the development of their social skills and attitudes.

The group rooms are arranged well and staff promote good personal hygiene habits with children, including regular handwashing. However, some areas of the nursery are not so well maintained, including the communal areas.Staff encourage children to be independent.

For example, children take responsibility at tidy-up time and in preparing for lunch. Staff use everyday routines to increase children's awareness of numbers. For example, children confidently count cups as they share with their friends.

This supports children effectively to develop important skills that help them in their future learning.Children understand what is expected of them. Older children know that they must line up to be counted at the end of outdoor play so that staff know everyone is safe.

Staff make sure children are comforted and monitored when they sleep.Younger children have good opportunities to develop their growing physical skills. The group rooms are organised, for example, so that babies have plenty of space to pull themselves up on furniture and practise their walking skills.

Older children also have plenty of opportunities to develop their physical skills. They enjoy regular time spent outdoors where they can be physically active. However, at times, staff do not provide the same level of opportunity for babies and younger children to practise their physical skills outside.

Staff speak to children about what they are doing, ask questions and encourage them to extend and develop their play. This helps develop children's resilience and problem-solving skills. As a result, children remain focused at their chosen activity for long periods of time.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff make children's safety a priority. They carry out ongoing risk assessments to help reduce any hazards.

They are supported to undertake regular training and are encouraged to strengthen their knowledge of child protection and safeguarding, including the wider issues of safeguarding. They are clear about the procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child's welfare. Robust vetting procedures ensure staff are suitable to work with children.

Staff deploy themselves effectively to supervise children during their play and to provide them with the support they need. Staff maintain information and records for the safe and efficient management of the setting, including, for example, recording changes to children's expected attendance.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: nincrease the opportunities for babies and toddlers to explore and play in the outside area nimprove the presentation, general maintenance and cleaning of the building further, with particular regard to the communal areas.