South Acton Childrens Centre

South Acton Early Excellence Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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South Acton Early Excellence Centre

Unique Reference Number EY296597 Inspection date 18 May 2006 Inspector Shan Gwendoline Jones

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South Acton Early Excellence Centre

Setting Address Castle Close, Acton, London, W3 8RX

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South Acton Early Excellence Centre

Telephone number 0208 992 0724 E-mail head@southactoneec.com Registered person London Borough of Ealing Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day care, Out of School care

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South Acton Early Excellence Centre

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?

South Acton Early Excellence Centre opened in 2002 and became a Children’s Centre in 2004. The centre is part of the inclusive educational provision of the London Borough of Ealing. The centre comprises a nursery, which is open each weekday for 51 weeks of the year from 08.00 to 18.00; a department for education maintained nursery school; out of school provision, comprising of breakfast club; after school club and holiday playscheme. The Acton sure start programme is also part of the centre and offers a variety of courses and drop-in support groups for parents, carers and their families.

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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 All services are housed in a purpose-built building with outdoor play areas for the children. A maximum of 89 may attend the day care provision at any one time and a maximum of 40 children may attend the out of school provision. There are currently 160 children aged six months to under eight years on roll. Children come from the local community. The centre supports a number of children with learning difficulties and disabilities. The centre also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. A board of governors is responsible for the nursery school. There is an overall head of centre and she is supported by a management team which includes the manager of the under three’s and children in need, and deputy head teacher who oversees the nursery school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The centre employs 37 staff; 31 of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications. Three staff are working towards a qualification. The setting receives the support from the local authority and there is a part-time teacher who is based in the centre.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted as the premises are maintained to a good standard of cleanliness. Babies crawl on carpeting that is dirt-free, which helps to prevent infection. The risk of cross-infection between children is further reduced because staff follow robust procedures when changing nappies. Children enjoy a variety of nutritious cooked meals and snacks that take account of their individual dietary needs, for example cheese pasta and salad. A dietician visits and contributes to ensure the menus are balanced, and also offers suggestions of healthy contents for a packed lunch box and what should be avoided. Staff promote healthy eating, and consequently children learn that eating well is linked to staying well. Children sit together around tables at meals times and talk to each other and staff. This creates a relaxed and social atmosphere in which social skills and good manners are promoted. Those responsible for the preparation and handling of food

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Helping children to be healthy

maintain good hygiene standards in the kitchen, however their food and hygiene certificates have expired. Children experience a healthy lifestyle whilst in the provision. They have frequent opportunities for fresh air and exercise within the provision's well resourced, enclosed outdoor play areas. Children move freely, confidently and safely, whilst demonstrating good spatial awareness. They take part in planned and spontaneous outdoor activities, such as organised races, children waited with great anticipation for the word 'go', before they sprinted up and down the hill and around the climbing apparatus. Children gain extremely good small muscle control and co-ordination through interesting activities such as woodwork. The children are proficient and were

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 highly absorbed as they hammered the nails into the wood to create an elaborate structure with support from the visiting artist.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment. They benefit greatly from the extensive range of equipment and resources used daily in the centre. Resources are stored at a low-level and are easily accessible to the children, developing their independence and freedom of choice. All areas of the nursery are vibrant and stimulating with a substantial range of posters and photographs on show. Children’s work is displayed brightly, and useful information to support children, parents and staff is all around the walls. Literature and some of the main policies are in dual languages making visitors and families feel welcome. All areas of the centre are very clean and well maintained. Children are well protected because staff have attended child protection training and have a detailed understanding of child protection procedures. Links are maintained

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

with other agencies and any issues or concerns are acted upon promptly, protecting children. However the management team is less secure on their legal responsibilities in relation to National Standards and have not fully complied with Ofsted's processes. Admission to the building is monitored, ensuring no unauthorised people have access to the children. All visitors are greeted by the receptionist and are required to sign in and out of the building. A complete record of everyone on the premises is maintained at all times, helping to protect the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are interested and engaged in their play and enjoy their time at the setting. They are able to make choices from a wide range of well-organised and stimulating resources which enhance their development. Babies and young children are able to explore various materials because these are easily accessible to them. Positive relationships with staff and other children develop children's confidence and self-esteem. All children can join in with the comprehensive range of activities because staff promote an inclusive environment. For example, staff use signs and symbols in everyday situations to aid communication. They ask open ended questions and effectively extend children's learning, for example, whilst children played in the imaginative home corner, a member of staff asked 'who are you speaking to on the telephone', a child replied 'a friend', this conversation was further extended by staff to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encourage children's thinking and listening skills. Children make progress because staff plan a range of valuable activities and opportunities. Staff have a good

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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 knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework and are keen to develop planning further in order to track children's progress more effectively. There are very good opportunities for children to learn about their local and wider community. For example a photographic display depicted a child looking from a block of flats at the London Eye through binoculars. Children's comments were included as part of the project, for example; ‘We went high up we looked at London’

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are full of confidence and self-esteem. They show delight in receiving lots of praise and encouragement from staff as they achieve new tasks. Staff and children have mutual respect for each other. Children learn about the diverse world around them. They experience the value of their own culture through posters, books and by participating in topics about it. Children's sense of security is fostered by the systems in place to promote healthy partnerships with parents. However, the complaints procedure does not include the current contact details for the regulator (Ofsted). Children use high quality equipment and resources appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children with learning difficulties and disabilities are safe and fully included because of the sensitive adult support and well planned adaptation of resources and activities. For example; the multi sensory room offers a range of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

equipment to stimulate their senses and give children tactile experiences. A range of health professionals such as speech therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists come into the centre once or twice a week to further support children. Partnership with parents is a strength and is central to the work of the centre. Before the children start attending, two staff including the keyworker carry out home visits to meet parents and children in their familiar surroundings. The settling in process is flexible with clear guidance for parents to ensure children settle well, this helps to ensure there is a smooth transition from home into the centre. Very good systems are in place to ensure parents are involved in their children's progress and development. They are encouraged to help with curriculum activities such as cooking, woodwork, gardening and reading stories to children in their home language. There are excellent

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Helping children make a positive contribution

support networks and resources within the centre to provide a range of services to families attending the centre and for families in the local Acton Sure Start programme. Comments received from parents on the day of the inspection included 'the centre is excellent and offers such wonderful opportunities for the children'.

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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 Children's experience at the nursery is greatly enhanced by the clear direction provided for staff by the effective management team. Continuous improvements are made to the centre, and there are clear systems in place to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of change. However, a significant event was not reported to Ofsted in line with the National Standards. The management team are very keen to develop staff's knowledge and skills to benefit the children by accessing training courses offered, for example Foundation Stage and Birth to three matters. The provider and staff work very well together as a team, consequently this is reflected in the children being happy and contented in the centre. Most of the records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and

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Organisation

safe management of the provision and for children’s wellbeing are in place. The provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are 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 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): • ensure those responsible for the preparation and handling of food are fully aware of, and comply with regulations relating to food safety and hygiene. • amend the complaints procedure to include the current address and telephone number of the regulator (Ofsted). • ensure effective systems are in place to inform Ofsted of any significant

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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 events as soon as possible and no later than 14 days after the event.

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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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