Happitots Day Nursery

Happitots

Inspection report for early years provision

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Happitots

Unique Reference Number EY315851 Inspection date 02 May 2006 Inspector Claudia Padfield

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Happitots

Setting Address 1-3 Winnersh Grove, Reading Road, Winnersh, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 5EQ Telephone number 01189 9770811

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E-mail

Registered person Complete Childcare 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 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 good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Happitots Day Nursery first opened in 1993. It is one of two day nurseries owned by Complete Childcare Limited and has been under the current ownership since 2005. The nursery operates from two houses on the same site in Winnersh. A maximum of 83 children may attend at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08:00 until 18:00. There are fully enclosed outdoor areas available for outside play. There are currently 59 children aged under five years on roll. This includes three and

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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 four year olds in receipt of nursery funding. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery serves the local and surrounding areas. The setting is able to support children with special educational needs and English as an additional language. There are 18 members of staff employed to work directly with the children. Of these 16 hold relevant early years qualifications. A further two staff are working towards a qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy as they are cared for in a clean environment. They learn the importance of personal hygiene through good levels of support, timely discussions and effective daily routines by most members of staff. For example young babies are told when staff are going to clean their faces, wipe their noses and given opportunities to wipe their own hands. Children are well supported by the staff. Children are well nourished and enjoy healthy and nutritionally balanced snacks and meals, which are freshly prepared and successfully contribute to their well-being, healthy growth and development. Older children choose when they have their snack through a flexible cafe arrangement within the school house, although not all staff actively encourage children to wash their hands before snacks missing the opportunity to promote good hygiene routines. Throughout the nursery jugs of water

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Helping children to be healthy

and beakers are available for children to access a drink when required. This works well with the older children and youngest babies but toddlers are unable to freely access drinks when they wish. Children have regular opportunities to take part in physical play and outdoor activities. Children are gaining good co-ordination when they attempt to do their own fastenings on their coats and shoes, encouraged and supported by staff. Older children move skilfully on large equipment jumping, running and climbing. They use ride on toys with ease. However the babies have little opportunity to access the outdoor space on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are secure in the environment and staff follow most procedures effectively to keep children safe. Children have a growing understanding of keeping themselves safe and are clear about the expectations of staff. The children know they must not run indoors and remind each other during play. However risk assessments have not highlighted the lack of smoke alarms in one side of the building leaving staff and children vulnerable. This was addressed immediately with the purchase of several smoke alarms and their installation. The nursery is undergoing complete renovation and the work is carried out when the

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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 building is shut. The rooms that have been decorated are warm and inviting spaces for the children to play. However the situation in other parts of the building are less appealing and some children lack opportunities to self select toys and equipment independently. The garden spaces are currently waiting for renovation but still provide ample room for children to move freely and access large equipment of choice safely. Children are protected from harm because the staff have an appropriate understanding of child protection issues. This is being further developed by training for all staff who know their responsibility with regard to protecting children in their care and written child protection procedures have recently been updated to include all relevant details.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. All children arrive confidently and happily to their group room and display good levels of self-esteem, which is enhanced by staff who know the children well and cater effectively for their needs. Staff act as good role models for children, praise them and listen to what they have to say, valuing their contributions. Children approach staff freely and interactions are warm and caring, therefore children are happy and settled. The staff team are developing the use of Birth to Three Matters framework. However some have a limited understanding which impacts on the planning implementation of suitable levels of challenges that some children receive. Staff are planning a range of child led activities which considers their current interests and development. The children anticipate familiar routines which enables them to feel secure and valued within the setting. Nursery Education

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children make good progress towards the early learning goals because staff are developing an effective system of planning and evaluating activities. Staff adapt and review the day to day development of the children through daily observations which are available for parents to see. These are then moved into their individual files and related to the six areas of learning and used to evaluate the next steps in learning. Staff have a clear understanding of the children's skills, interests and needs, which is expertly transferred by the qualified teacher to ensure learning outcomes are challenged. However the less experienced staff lack the knowledge and experience to fully plan appropriate challenges for all the children. The staff are good at communicating with the children and remain flexible in their approach to incorporate the children's ideas and interests. For example one child expressed an interest in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

making paper aeroplanes and the staff supported the group to find suitable materials and make the planes with opportunities to make them fly within the garden. Children are highly motivated and eagerly participate in activities of their own choosing, such as role play in the home corner and discuss story lines with staff.

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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 Children are confident in their interactions and they talk with enthusiasm about what they are doing and what they are about to do. Children show a great interest about how things work and discuss events they have seen. They work co-operatively to see what happens. During an activity on symmetry one of the more able children show the less experienced children how the activity is done. She then watches closely and supports the child to achieve. They then sit and complete several examples with different patterns, showing the staff and talking about how they achieved the pretty patterns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a sense of belonging in the setting due to the warm welcome they receive from staff and positive interactions are constantly provided. Children show a very good attitude towards one another and interested in their achievements. Staff value and respect their individuality and family circumstances for each child. Staff support and develop the warm relationships that are evident, listening to children and promoting their individuality. Children's behaviour is good and they respond to appropriate expectations of conduct. They have clear and consistently managed boundaries, which are appropriate to their age and stage of development. The older children are learning the importance of sharing and taking turns. Staff use praise and acknowledge good behaviour which ensures the children build an understanding of the nurseries' expectation. Partnership with parents is good. This contributes to the children's confidence and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

continuity of care. Parents are welcome and spend time settling, their children talking with staff members and sharing news and achievements. Planning and the sharing of children's records are being developed by an easy to access observation folder. The records contain samples of the children's work and observations and these are then linked to the Foundation Stage. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are fostered through the role modelling and gentle support that staff give the children. They know the children they care for well and discuss and listen to the children's thoughts and wishes with interest and concern.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are benefiting from the new organisation and planning currently being implemented within the nursery. The new owners and management are gradually implementing change and have started the refurbishment of the buildings. Children receive appropriate care, support and attention from the staff, which ensures they feel secure and settled.

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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 Policies and procedures are currently being revamped and will be shared with parents once complete. Recruitment and vetting procedures ensure children are well protected and cared for by staff with knowledge and understanding about child development. Induction procedures are effective and newly implemented self assessments about the organisation and running of each area ensure staff reflect on their own practise Leadership and management are good. Children benefit because the staff team are developing an evaluative approach to all aspects of the provision. This has identified where and how improvements can be made. The staff make very good use of the children's self chosen play, routines and planned activities to effectively question them, encouraging them to think ideas through and solve their own problems.

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Organisation

Children worked together and are supported by staff. For example they make a selection of successful paper aeroplanes that would fly. Older more able children in the group showed the younger children how to fold the paper, working together cop- operating and listening to each other.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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 good.

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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): • review risk assessments to ensure all areas of the nursery are regularly

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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 monitored. • extend the understanding and use of Birth to Three Matters Framework to enhance outcomes for children

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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): • extend the staff training in the Foundation Stage to enhance the learning outcomes for more able children.

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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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