Tom Thumb NurseryOfsted inspection, 11 Apr 2006

Tom Thumb Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Tom Thumb Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY312715 Inspection date 11 April 2006 Inspector Chris Mackinnon

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Tom Thumb Nursery

Setting Address 12 The Avenue, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3YA

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E-mail

Registered person Claire Louise Townsend Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day care, Out of School care

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E-mail

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Tom Thumb Nursery was registered by new owners in 2005. It operates on 3 floors of a converted house in Eastbourne, East Sussex. A maximum of 63 children may attend at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08:00 to 18:00 throughout the year. Children have access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 70 children aged from 1 to under 8 years on roll. Of these 58 receive funding for nursery education. The Nursery supports children with special educational needs and children who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The nursery employs 12 staff. Of these, 10 staff members hold appropriate early years qualifications and 2 are training.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept healthy through staff following appropriate procedures and practices which meet the children’s health and nutritional needs. Staff tidy after activities, but inconsistent cleaning has reduced hygiene in some of the soft-play and floor areas used by children. Sufficient adult support and guidance helps children gain a clear understanding of hygiene and a desire to maintain independence in their personal care. Children are active and move easily around the setting. Staff have a sound understanding of children’s development needs and provide enough challenges to promote children's manual skills and use of tools. Younger children are given close support and encouragement to explore resources and develop healthily, within an organised play environment. Children enjoy physical exercise and have fun during expressive games and activities; such as balancing and climbing, lively music and

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Helping children to be healthy

movement sessions and outdoor games with staff. Children have healthy snacks and a variety of fresh fruits. The quality of the food and drinks provided is monitored by staff, who also give consideration to children's individual dietary needs. Children take part in food preparation activities, which supports their learning about healthy eating. The overall sound quality of the games and activities and appropriate level of staff involvement, contributes positively to children’s physical development and continued health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their play and learning in a welcoming and stimulating environment. The setting organises space and facilities appropriately to provide a range of opportunities for children to develop and learn new skills. Children are protected from accidents and harm through close staff supervision. All appropriate safety procedures are followed in the nursery, but the lack of regular risk assessment has resulted in some safety features not being fully in place. Staff have a consistent understanding of the need for safety outdoors and organise physical play activities that are appropriately supervised. Staff involve older children in learning about safe outdoor play and road safety. Children use play materials and equipment appropriate to their ages and level of development. Staff are guided to regularly check the condition of all play items and outdoor equipment. An organised range of resources is available for children over a

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

wide age range to be imaginative and enjoy their activities. Messy-play, art-crafts and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 technology items are all featured and younger children have access to appropriate early play and development materials. A range of security measures are in place to keep children safe and secure during play sessions. Clear staff guidance and parental consents contribute to children’s safety on outings. Children are suitably protected by trained staff who have a clear understanding of child protection procedures and give priority to children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children achieve easily and explore resources confidently. Children become involved in the play and learning environment enjoying a wide range of challenging games and activities. Children have many positive adult-child learning interactions that develop good language and communication skills. Children join-in eagerly and are delighted by inventive and expressive activities. For example, exciting physical group games and lively music activities exploring sounds. Children's play and learning activities are well organised to meet their developing needs. Staff key-workers work closely with children to expand their range of skills in writing and recognising words. Children explore a wide range of materials in interesting art-craft and creative projects. Children learn numbers and sizes and use a wide range of assembly and making materials to represent their ideas. Children are imaginative and create their own games and adapt resources, during free-play

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

sessions and role-play. Children use a wide range of outdoor play equipment well, using resources for climbing, jumping and learning balance. Children respond enthusiastically to the many opportunities provided to extend their physical confidence. Staff plan activities to help children learn about nature, growing and the seasons. Other culture celebrations and learning topics support children's knowledge of the wider world. Staff develop children's interactive skills in well organised mixed group activities. Staff also use questions well to challenge children’s thinking and extend learning. Staff take care to observe and monitor individual children's development effectively and record their progress. Staff are trained and experienced and work well together to help children enjoy their time at the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed and encouraged to join-in and play co-operatively together. The setting encourages children to help and to share, which fosters their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Children's behaviour is well managed and staff take care to develop individual children's social development and confidence. Staff are positive in setting clear boundaries for children, which helps them learn to take responsibility for their own

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 actions. Children respond appropriately to prompts to care for their surroundings, resources and each other. Staff are calm and considerate, taking time to develop children's involvement in the group and encouraging children to contribute fully in the play and learning activities. Children have opportunities to learn about themselves and each other. The setting's learning programme includes a planned range of activities designed to reflect diversity and develop children's awareness of the wider world. Children learn about their local community through planned activities and visits to local shops and places of interest. Staff have sound relationships with parents, which contributes to the children’s positive approach to the setting. Staff keep clear details of individual children's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

achievements and regularly inform parents about their children's progress. Parents also have access to basic information on the early learning programme.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the sound organisation of the setting's play areas and learning environment. Staff are appropriately deployed and support children's development over a wide age range, but there is a lack of clearly planned activities for the older, school-age children who attend. The indoor and outdoor play areas are suitably prepared to encourage physical activities and provide learning opportunities for children. A sufficient quantity and variety of stimulating play resources support children's development and encourage new skills. Children benefit from contact with suitably qualified staff, who are supported by an experienced manager and deputy. Staff are also committed to continuous improvement and follow a programme of further training. The setting is currently taking part in a recognised quality assurance programme. All required record keeping that contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being

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Organisation

is in place and clearly maintained. The setting has clear and detailed documentation, which is easily accessible to staff and parents. Clear policy guidance material is also in place to ensure the efficient management of the setting. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children attending.

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Complaints since the last inspection

No complaints have been received by Ofsted since registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve hygiene routines to ensure children have access to clean soft-play materials and floor areas • renew regular risk assessments to ensure all safety features are fully in place • develop the organisation of play and activities for the children over 5 years who attend

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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