Kendray & Worsbrough Sure Start

Sunnybank Children's Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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Sunnybank Children's Centre

Unique Reference Number EY310670 Inspection date 27 April 2006 Inspector Hilary Mary Mckenning

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Sunnybank Children's Centre

Setting Address Sunnybank Children's Centre, Overdale Avenue, Worsbrough, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 4BD Telephone number 01226 294604

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E-mail

Registered person Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council 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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Sunnybank Children's Centre opened in 2005. The nursery is a Sure Start Neighbourhood Nursery and is managed by a committee. The nursery operates from a purpose built nursery room within a community building in Worsborough, Barnsley. The centre is open from 08.00 until 18.00, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. There are 29 children on register and three children are in receipt of nursery education funding. Children attend a variety of sessions. The centre supports

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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 children with learning difficulties and who speak English as an additional language. There are two members of staff who work directly with the children. All have early years qualifications. The setting receives support from the Local Authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene that is promoted by the staff through following hygiene processes and consistent routines. Effective procedures, such as staff consistently wearing disposable gloves and aprons for nappy changing maintain levels of hygiene and help prevent the spread of infection. Children are aware of the need to wash hands after using the toilet and before eating. For example, children freely go and wash their hands before having a snack without prompting by staff. This helps to minimise the risk of infections. Children enjoy a good range of healthy snacks and drinks, which take into account children's dietary needs and parents' wishes. This contributes significantly to children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle. Snack times are an opportunity for children to enjoy their food and are a social time for children and staff to converse with each other. Children are offered drinks throughout the day and enjoy a variety of

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Helping children to be healthy

snacks and meals that are well presented and nutritious. These comply with all special dietary requirements to ensure children remain healthy. The staff uses the Birth to three matters framework to provide a good range of physical experiences for babies and children under three. This includes regular outings and walks. Children are able to rest according to their needs and following home routines. Children enjoy a wide variety of physical activities. They learn about the importance of activity in a healthy lifestyle as they join in free-play and organised activities, for example, there is a mark making area, construction area and paint easel set up outside. They successfully negotiate obstacles and move around the environment safely. Vigorous indoor and outdoor physical play is part of the daily routine, promoting the development of a positive attitude to exercise and children’s physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Potential hazards are sufficiently well addressed in order to maintain a secure and safe environment both indoors and out. For example, the use of socket covers, smoke alarms and a fully enclosed outdoor play area means children can move around freely and safely. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised as risk assessments are completed. However, the outside play area is not consistently checked. Appropriate fire precautions are in place, for example, fire exits are clear of

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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 obstructions and fire evacuation plans clearly displayed. Good quality resources are easily accessed allowing children to make choices in a safe manner. The children's toys and equipment are very carefully monitored to make sure they remain safe and appropriate for the children's ages and stages of development. The staff have an acceptable understanding of child protection procedures and recognise the signs and indicators of child abuse. However, there is no procedure in place should an allegation be made against a member of staff. Children are generally well protected as the staff have a reasonable understanding of their role and responsibilities with regards to child protection matters.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time at the setting. They arrive happy and eager to participate. New children are helped to settle by sensitive and caring staff. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help to develop children's self-esteem. Children show a strong sense of belonging and make their own choices about their play from a wide range of good quality resources and activities. Children feel comfortable and secure in their surroundings and they move around freely accessing activities that interest them. Staff are making effective use of the Birth to three matters framework to ensure activities for children under three years are stimulating and interesting. All children enjoy a balanced range of developmentally appropriate activities and experiences. Nursery education. The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. This ensures children make

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

steady progress in all areas of learning. Children are sufficiently confident and assured to work and play independently or in groups. They show interest in an acceptable range of resources, however, the activities available do not always provide sufficient challenge to sustain their interest. Children show acceptable levels of independence, curiosity, imagination and concentration. Children are becoming good communicators and use language to make their own needs known. For example, at snack time children voice their likes and dislikes and ask confidently to go to the toilet. Children are developing good relationships and behaviour is generally good. They play cooperatively with the play dough. Children benefit from individual support to help them count up to 10, to recognise shapes, colours and sizes. For example, children use comparative size and positional language independently when putting a jigsaw together. However, staff do not maximise opportunities in every day

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities to consolidate children's mathematical awareness. Staff gain an acceptable understanding of children's interests as they are beginning to make their own observations when children play. They interact appropriately with children to stimulate curiosity, reinforcing and consolidating learning appropriately. Assessments of progress are being developed. Staff observe children's daily

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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 achievements but do not use this information to plan for the next steps in learning. Therefore the links between assessment, planning and stepping stones needs to be improved. Staff make appropriate use of early year's guidance, such as Birth to three matters framework and Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage, to provide satisfactory care and education. Overall children make satisfactory progress in all areas of learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and content and are showing a strong sense of belonging. They are familiar with daily routines and form good relationships with each other and staff. This results in children being independent and feeling safe and secure, through which they develop self-confidence and a healthy self-esteem. Children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds are warmly welcomed into the nursery. Children are treated with equal concern and their individual needs are met appropriately. Children's awareness of equal opportunities is fostered appropriately. Staff ensure that the resources and activities positively reflect the wider community, helping children to develop a positive attitude to others. They are beginning to learn about cultures and beliefs through discussion and the celebration of festivals. This approach fosters children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well, responding to the expectations and sensitive support from staff. Staff follow a clear and consistent approach, and as a result, children are aware of what is expected of them and are learning right from wrong in a warm and caring environment. Partnership with parents is satisfactory. Priority is given to getting to know children and their families well. However, all the information available is in English, which hinders effective communication. All children settle well because staff work with the parents to ensure home routines are followed. This ensures children are cared for in an environment that is sensitive to their individual needs. Parents support and involvement with their child's learning is encouraged. Staff share daily information about their child’s day.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The centre is well resourced and the organisation of the different play areas encourages children to develop independence and initiative. The indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. Children benefit from a staff team who are committed to self-evaluation and improvement of their practice. All policies and procedures are used to promote the welfare, care and learning of children which contributes to their well-being. The manager is developing an appraisal system that will ensure the policies and procedures are consistently applied and staff training needs identified.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Leadership and management of the nursery is satisfactory. The manager leads a staff team who have a regard for children's welfare. She acts as a good role model as she frequently works alongside staff. Children benefit as staff access further training. For example, staff recently attended the Birth to three matters framework training. This commitment to improvement ensures the continuing development of the educational provision. The staff team are enthusiastic and committed to self-evaluation and improvement of their practice. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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 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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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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 clear procedures for action if an allegation is made against a member of staff • provide parents with access to appropriate information for children and families, where English as an additional language

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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):

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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 • plan and provide activities and experiences for children that promote development in all areas of learning and opportunities for children to increase their knowledge, ensuring they are satisfactorily challenged • improve the links between children’s assessments, planning and the stepping stones towards early learning goals. Use this information to inform the teaching for the whole group and for individuals.

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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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