North Islington Nursery School and Childrens Centre

North Islington Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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North Islington Nursery School

Unique Reference Number EY317201 Inspection date 25 July 2006 Inspector Moreen Johnson

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North Islington Nursery School

Setting Address 110/112 Tollington Park, London, N4 3RB

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E-mail

Registered person North Islington Nursery School Type of inspection Childcare 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

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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

North Islington Nursery School-Childcare is a maintained nursery school managed by a governing body. The provision was first opened in the 1930s. Changes to legislation required registration, this took place in February 2006. The nursery operates from four rooms, a parent room, kitchen, staff room and offices. Children have access to secure enclosed outside play areas. A maximum of 95 children under five years may attend at any one time. The nursery is open each week day between 08.00 to 17.30 for 48 weeks per year. There are currently 106 children on roll between five months to five years old.

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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 However, only a maximum of 95 children attend at any one time. The nursery supports a number of children with learning difficulties and disabilities and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery receives funding for three and four year olds. There are 30 staff members who work with the children. Most staff, including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications, five staff members are unqualified, two of whom are currently working towards the level three qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well-planned daily routines. They know to wash their hands before eating their lunch. There are effective hygiene procedures in place and staff adhere to good practice when implementing cleaning procedures and when preparing and serving food. There is also an effective medication procedure in place and staff ensure that the systems for keeping records meets with requirement. Children will be appropriately treated in the event of an emergency, because most staff members are qualified in first aid. Children benefit from a healthy diet. Staff promote healthy eating well by offering children healthy balanced, varied snacks and meals. Children are offered drinks at regular intervals throughout the day. Babies are given milk and water in accordance with their home routines. Children's individual dietary needs are met well, because

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Helping children to be healthy

staff are fully aware of each child's dietary requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a bright, clean and welcoming environment. They move around freely and independently access a wide range of resources. Staff use the space effectively, to meet the needs of the children. There are suitable arrangements made for children to sleep; when children are asleep they are monitored appropriately by staff. Children are cared for in a safe environment, they are protected from intruders by the use of an effective intercom system. Children are kept safe whilst moving around the nursery, because staff supervise effectively and are well deployed. Staff ensure that risk assessments are effective so that children are protected from potential hazards. For example, the area to the side of the building is inaccessible to children whilst building work is being carried out. Staff meets children's personal safety needs well. For example, staff applied sun cream to the children's bodies prior to them going into

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the garden. Children are well protected by staff, who have a clear understanding of how to implement the setting's child protection policies, which are in line with the London

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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 Child Protection Procedure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a bright, clean and welcoming environment. They move around freely and independently and access a wide range of resources. Staff use the space effectively, to meet the needs of the children. There are suitable arrangements made for children to sleep; when children are asleep they are monitored appropriately by staff. Under threes receive good care and are well settled. They have good relationships with staff, who attend to their needs well. Children enjoy playing with a wide range of stimulating activities. Staff have a good understanding of Birth to three matters and incorporate it well into planning activities. There are good systems in place for carrying out observations and assessments, which clearly identify children's progress and identify how children move to the next stage of their learning. Staff are always on hand to provide the babies with a lot of reassurance if they become unsettled. This

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

makes them feel secure and increases their sense of wellbeing. Children's communication skills are effectively encouraged by staff. Children enjoy engaging in conversations at the dinner table and they readily share their experiences. Staff have meaningful conversations with children and encourage them to talk about the foods that they like. Children are encouraged to develop an appreciation of books and during story time they enjoyed listening to stories. They actively participated in talking about the different animals that they saw and re-telling stories. Children have good opportunities to use books independently, from well resourced reading areas. Children are encouraged to develop their language skills. For example, whilst the over threes participate well when playing a computer game about the seaside, staff encourage the children to develop an understanding of the meaning of a range of words relating to the seaside.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good relationships with each other, whilst playing on the swing in the garden they took turns. A child waited patiently for his turn on the bike by using the egg timer. Children are well settled and are confident and independent. They have good opportunities to initiate their play, because staff are skilled at striking a balance between adult and child led activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from good interaction with staff, who promote children's self-esteem and confidence well. Staff value children's contribution and praise them for

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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 achievement. Children behave well and work harmoniously with each other, they play well together and show care and regard for each other. Children have sufficient opportunities to use a wide range of resources that reflect diversity. Children are developing an understanding of right and wrong, because staff have high expectations of them. Children respond positively when staff intervene to challenge inappropriate behaviour. The partnership with parents and carers is good. This ensures that children settle well. Children experience consistent care due to good communication systems between parents and staff. At the beginning of children's placement, parents and staff meet to share information about children's starting point. Staff use this information to plan how to help children progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. There are good recruitment procedures in place which ensure that staff are appropriately vetted. Most staff hold appropriate early years qualifications and two staff members are currently undertaking NVQ level three. Most policies and procedures are in place with the exception of a lost children's policy, children's attendance does record arrival and departure times and accident records are not always signed by staff. Records on children and staff are securely locked away.

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Organisation

Staff work well together as a team and are deployed appropriately, to ensure that children are not at risk. Overall, the setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom they provide care.

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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

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 good. The registered person meets the

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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 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 that the daily attendance register records details of arrival and departure times, that there is a lost children policy, that fire drill records are kept updated and that staff sign accident records.

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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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