Carousel Nursery

Carousel Nursery - Morden

Inspection report for early years provision

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Carousel Nursery - Morden

Unique Reference Number EY315313 Inspection date 19 April 2006 Inspector John Edwin Warren

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Carousel Nursery - Morden

Setting Address Aragon Primary School, Aragon Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 4QU

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E-mail

Registered person Carousel Nursery London Limited Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Full day 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory. At the time of the inspection there were no children in receipt of nursery education. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide nursery education.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Carousel Nursery has been registered since September 2005. They are registered to receive 35 children under 5 years, of these only 19 may be under 2 years and of these only 10 may be under 1 year at any one time. The group is open all year round from 08:00 to 18:00. However, they are closed for 1 week in August and 1 week at

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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 Christmas. The nursery has recently completed the Investors in People Effective Early Learning self evaluation scheme. Carousel is a purpose built day nursery on the grounds of Aragon primary school. There are 3 rooms available to the children. A baby unit for under 1, a toddler room for children up to the age of 3 and a pre-school room for children from 3 to 5 years. Children also have access to secure outside play facilities. There are currently 9 staff employed, 6 have a level 3 childcare qualification, 1 a level 2 and 2 are unqualified. There are currently 20 children on the roll. The nursery receives support from local authority and is used as lead setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have a good understanding of the importance of their own personal hygiene. Children wash their hands independently after using the bathroom. Children receive good support from the staff who praise them and develop their knowledge in this area. Staff set a good role model for the children, for example, washing their hands before preparing the snacks. Children benefit from a staff team who have an up-to-date knowledge in first aid procedures. Children's health is protected by the implementation of a clear sickness procedure. If children become unwell whilst at the nursery they are well cared for until the parents earliest arrival. Contact with other children is kept to a minimum to prevent the spread of infection. The administration of medication is carefully recorded by staff ensuring children are always given the correct dosage. Children are well supported at mealtimes, enabling them to develop their

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Helping children to be healthy

independence. Children are involved in setting the tables and serving the meals. Meals provided for the children carefully meet their individual dietary needs. Older children are pouring their drinks with confidence. Children are provided with healthy choices, for example, at snack times they are provided with a variety of fruit. Children have an understanding that these foods are good for them. Children benefit from daily outdoor activities. Children are able to experience the variety of weather conditions because staff ensure they are always appropriately clothed when playing outside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play freely in a safe and well maintained, stimulating environment. All equipment provided for the children is checked for safety on a regular basis. Children have a good understanding of their own personal safety. Staff remind the children of the outcome of their actions, for example, children playing with long ribbons were informed how to play with them carefully so they did not cause a hazard. Children who need to sleep are well supervised by a vigilant staff team. Children remain safe on outings because of the implementation of a clear procedure. Children understand what is expected of them when outside the nursery, for example, always holding

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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 hands and waiting at roads. Risk assessments are made in all areas of the nursery. If an accident does occur the most effective course of action is always taken. The nursery will then make a further risk assessment to ensure that the chances of a reoccurrence is kept to a minimum. Children are kept secure whilst in the nursery by a staff team that ensure a good level of security is maintained. For example, identification of any visitors to the nursery is checked carefully and verified. Children are protected from harm by others by a very knowledgeable staff team. They have a good knowledge of the child protection procedures and how to implement them should the need arise. Staff are sent on regular training sessions to ensure that their knowledge remains up-to-date.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children make good use of the warm and welcoming environment. All children, who are mobile access their own play and learning experiences with confidence. Therefore ensuring that many activities are child interest led. Young children enjoy the one to one interaction with an established and consistent keyworker. Older children enjoy being together in small groups where they can sit and share books. Staff have created comfortable areas to ensure this is possible. Young children benefit from staff who respond to their babbles. Older children enjoy the discovery of new words, for example, whilst looking through a story book with staff they come across an item they do not know the name of. When they are told they share their findings with their friends. Children are starting to make connections and an understanding of the world around them. For example, sorting animals into groups by

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

how many limbs they have. When playing outside they comment on the effect the wind has on ball as it blows around the playground. Children have opportunity to play imaginatively in all rooms. Young children are provided with treasure baskets which they can freely explore with all their senses. Older children enjoy themed imaginative areas. For example, children take on individual roles when playing shops developing simple storylines. Children enjoy experimenting and mark making with a range of materials. When playing with shaving foam they make marks in it as they play explaining to staff what their mark represents. Children are provided with opportunities to see that others may use marks differently. For example, areas of play are labelled in at least three different languages. Children play confidently in the outside area with wheeled toys, balls and obstacle challenges. However, children are not fully challenged with large physical activities. Children enjoy an excellent range of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

creative play experiences. They dance to music, waving ribbons as they play and making patterns in the air. Children listen carefully to the songs and moving according to the slow or rapid beat. Staff have a good understanding of the value of the journey of each activity and not the end product. For example, children make "non stick" pictures they create their own designs with a variety of materials. Staff have a very good knowledge of where children are developmentally. Plans provided for the children's activities reflect this, however observations made on the children's progress are infrequent. Nursery Education

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. There are currently no children in receipt of 3 and 4 year old funding on roll. However, staff have a good knowledge of the Foundation Stage and how to plan to meet children's needs. They have provided evidence through discussion and documentation how they would use the nursery's resources to develop the curriculum. They are clear on how they could use the current resources for older children when they attend. The layout of the pre-school is favourable for children to access their own play and learning opportunities. There are resources available for children to develop their information communication and technology skills through use of the computer already on site. Activities in the planning show good opportunities for maths, for example, measuring and weighing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children take part in growing activities, discussions with staff show how they could differentiate to ensure these are suitable for older children. Staff have a good knowledge on how to provide creative activities that allow children to express themselves freely. They also understand how children develop their communication, language and literacy skills and the activities that will promote this learning. The outside area is used creatively but through discussion with staff they are aware that there is a weakness in providing activities that challenge their large physical skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's behaviour is exceptional. They show good respect for others and their needs. Children play well in small and large groups even with popular play resources. Children are set a good role model by staff members. For example, when a staff member stood in front of children by mistake as they played, she turned and got down to their level and apologised for obstructing them. Any unacceptable behaviour is dealt with fairly, sensitively and according to the individual needs of each child. Children take part in a variety of activities that inform them about festivals and celebrations that may be different from their own. Children are provided with a range of resources that promote positive images of gender, ethnicity, culture and disability. Children are given equal access to all resources regardless of gender. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. There are currently no children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

with special needs attending the nursery. However, the nursery's special needs co-ordinator has experience in implementing referral procedures and working closely with parents and other professionals. The nursery works closely with the local authority professionals to ensure that they have the most up-to-date knowledge and ensuring they are always prepared to accept children with special needs. Children benefit from a staff team who work closely with the parents ensuring the children's individual needs are met. For example, there is a flexible settling in process allowing the parents to spend as much or a little time as required to settle the children. Parents are able to speak to their child's keyworker on daily and at formal review meetings, held on a regular basis. Parents are well informed through newsletters and parental coffee mornings. Parents have made very favourable comments about the care in the nursery through nursery questionnaires. For example, they have seen

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Helping children make a positive contribution

nothing but high standards of care, education and nurturing. Partnership with parents and carers is satisfactory. The nursery has sound procedures in place for informing all parents about the daily running of the nursery,

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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 including parents of children in receipt of 3 and 4 year old funding. Newsletters are sent out and there are set times for all children to have regular review meetings. The nursery has good links with the local authority early years department who are willing to assist in setting up information meetings for parents regarding the Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced by generally effective organisation. Children who are mobile are self selecting their own play and learning experiences with confidence. The flexibility of routine allows children to pursue their interests without the frustration of an unnecessary interruption. For example, children enjoy interest led messy activities and become engrossed in their play. At these times the provision of a snack is delayed for those children involved. Subsequently children can explore each activity fully. Children benefit from a staff team who understand and fully implement the nursery procedures. New staff are provided with an induction pack and a member of staff who will mentor them through their probationary period. Therefore children are provided with a staff team who are consistent in all areas of their work. The management team ensure that staff have a comprehensive understanding of how the nursery operates

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Organisation

on a daily basis. There is provision in place for parents to make a complaint, however contact details for Ofsted are out of date. Children receive good support from a staff team who organise their day to ensure the majority of their time is spent working face to face with them. The nursery is well led by a strong manager who is very knowledgeable in all areas of her work. She sets a good role model for the staff with a hands on approach. The management team have high expectations of their staff. Through appraisal and training they ensure these high expectations are met. Leadership and Management is satisfactory. The manger has in place provision to evaluate and monitor the staff's work with children in receipt of three and four year old funding. Training has already been provided for staff in who will be working in this area. Ensuring that they have an up to date knowledge of the Foundation Stage and

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Organisation

how to plan for this. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory. At the time of the inspection there were no children in receipt of nursery education. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide nursery education.

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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): • ensure staff make a sufficient amount of observations on the children. • ensure the complaints procedure includes up-to-date contact details for Ofsted.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure children are provided with challenging physical play opportunities. (also for childcare)

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 nursery education

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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