Dalesplay

Dalesplay

Inspection report for early years provision

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Dalesplay

Unique Reference Number EY330700 Inspection date 25 August 2006 Inspector Diane Roberts

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Dalesplay

Setting Address Town Head, Hawes, North Yorkshire, DL8 3RQ

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E-mail

Registered person Upper Dales Childcare Partnership Ltd Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day care, Out of School 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?

Dalesplay is run by a Board of Directors. It opened in 2006 and operates from three rooms in a purpose-built building. It is situated within Hawes Primary School grounds in the town of Hawes, North Yorkshire. A maximum of 35 children may attend the setting at any one time. Dalesplay is open each weekday from 08.00 to 18.00 for 50 weeks of the year. All children share access to an enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 46 children aged from birth to under seven years on roll. Dalesplay currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties and disabilities and also supports a number of children who speak English as an

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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 additional language. Dalesplay employs eight staff. Three of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications. The setting is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are highly cared for in a warm, clean environment. They learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They have a clear understanding of washing their hands before they eat and after playing outdoors. Staff set high standards by being strong positive role models. Children are sensitively encouraged to wash their hands often and are skilfully shown how to wash and dry them effectively. Staff make it a fun experience, praising extensively. Children are protected when they are ill with the setting taking appropriate measures. These include, staff offering comfort to a child and making contact with parents immediately. Children have their health and dietary needs met because the setting works very well with parents. For example, records show comprehensive information on each child and staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of children's individual needs. Children rest and sleep according to their daily routines and the setting works very

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Helping children to be healthy

closely with parents to ensure continuity of care. Children enjoy a wide range of inspiring activities that contributes to their good health. Indoor and outdoor activities are consistently provided to strongly encourage physical development. For example, children derive challenge, enjoyment and movement competence through dance and moving to music. During a Circus Skills workshop organised by a Performance Skills Initiator, children create their own dance movements by listening to a variety of sounds. They have fun learning to balance a cone on their head whilst carefully walking on a floor-chalked tightrope. Other activities for stimulating physical development include playing with skipping ropes, Frisbees and a variety of different sized balls. Team sports such as cricket are encouraged with plenty of praise given for new skills learnt. Children are happy and contented in their play. Children are provided with regular healthy drinks and nourishing food in adequate

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Helping children to be healthy

quantities for their needs. However, access to fresh drinking water is not actively promoted. Children attending for the whole day bring their own lunch to the setting. Lunches are stored appropriately and are attractively presented to the children on colourful plates. Snacks are well prepared, nutritious and comply with dietary and religious requirements. Children's dietary needs are competently met as they are discussed in fine detail with parents. Through the provision of healthy breakfast, tea and snack options, children develop a secure knowledge of foods that are good for them. Children benefit from a warm, relaxed and social atmosphere at meal and snack times. All children enjoy sitting together, sharing their experiences. Older children aged six and seven years help the younger children of two years. Staff sit

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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 with the children at all times and are on hand to offer support should a child need it. Children are encouraged to eat at their own pace. Their early self-help skills are strongly encouraged as they help to feed themselves with their fingers or the appropriate cutlery where necessary.

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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 warm and welcoming environment with space sensitively organised and used to best promote children's development. Children's safety is a the greatest priority and an awareness of children's constantly developing abilities helps to make sure appropriate safety measures are applied at all times. Hazards are clearly identified and minimised, allowing children to move around safely and independently. Children have the freedom of movement with ample space available where they can relax in comfort or safely take part in more energetic play. Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe through discussion and the advantage of positive role models. They are able to make choices about their play through the provision of a safe and very well maintained range of equipment and toys that meets their varying needs. They confidently and safely move between the rooms

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

helping themselves to the extensive, inspiring and challenging selection of resources and activities available. These are age and developmentally appropriate. Children of varying ages are kept safe and secure on the premises by the effective procedures in place. For instance, sleeping babies are regularly checked and staff consistently carry out risk assessments and minimise identified risks. Children attending the Out of School facility are kept safe as they are escorted from the school to the setting by staff. Children learn about safety practices by clear explanations from staff. For instance, children learn about what they would do in the event of fire. However, although emergency evacuations have been practised, they have not been in line with children starting at the setting. Consequently, not all children know what to do in the event of a fire. Children are protected by the staff recognising their

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

responsibilities towards them with regard to child protection. All staff have a secure understanding of child protection in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's development is skilfully promoted through the great range of play and learning activities appropriate to their individual needs. Children build positive relationships and develop self esteem through kindness and affection. Children happily, confidently and independently play with self-chosen activities. Children are able to concentrate well on their chosen activity and engage fully with each other and adults. They have fair and consistent boundaries and are encouraged by example to be respectful and considerate of others. Children's time is carefully and individually balanced to allow them to play and learn independently as well as giving them activities that need more support and encouragement. Children are encouraged to be

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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 curious and ask questions by the staff being skilful linguistic role models. Children's efforts are always acknowledged, valued and respected, encouraging their independence and supporting their emotional well being. Children are able to express themselves through a variety of media and thereby develop their creative and imaginative skills. For instance, they enjoy creating a sequence of movements to a collection of sounds. Children’s needs of varying ages are met well with the provision of an environment which is conducive to effective learning. For example, children are able to freely access a good collection of musical instruments including maracas and a glockenspiel. A two year old confidently brings cymbals held in each hand, together to make a loud clash. Laughing, he eagerly

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

looks around as others applaud. All children have plenty of opportunity to enjoy dressing up and pretend play. They can choose from a wide collection of outfits representing professions such as fire fighters, police and surgeons. Following on from their recent theme of the story of Peter Pan, they can dress up as Peter Pan or Tinkerbelle and take a trip on a self-assembled pirate ship. Children are inspired to dress themselves as the clothes are simple to put on. Children gain pleasure and satisfaction through their enjoyment of an extensive range of books, helping to develop their powers of observation and their ability to listen. The book corner is attractively arranged with the addition of small world resources to encourage children to spend time looking at books and exercising their imagination. Children's in-built creativity, understanding and expression of art is positively influenced by the sensitive encouragement of the staff. Children's creations are valued and proudly

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

displayed both in the play rooms and on the walls of the home corner. Children make positive relationships with peers. A six year old child enthusiastically encourages a two year old on his first steps in toilet training as visits the bathroom, closely supported by staff. Children are happy and settled with staff providing them with excellent levels of care and attention. For instance, a two year old is able to select a picture of a potty from a collection of photographs at child-height when he requires the bathroom. Thereby independence is actively encouraged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and free from discrimination as staff actively promote equality of opportunity. Each child is valued individually and their parents listened to, with their experiences and contributions greatly welcomed. Children develop a good sense of belonging and self-assurance since they form familiar, trusting, safe and secure relationships with the staff. Children benefit from a consistent approach to behaviour management. They gain in confidence and self-esteem as staff reward achievement through positive praise and sensitive encouragement. Staff obtain relevant information about children’s specific needs and work closely with parents. Children benefit from the positive working relationships developed with parents. Their general welfare is very well promoted since staff consult closely with parents on any issues or concerns and the required documentation is clearly in place

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and well organised. Children are looked after according to the wishes of the parents

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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 as individual sleep routines and daily routines are followed precisely. Parents are fully informed daily about their child's routine and play activities; this enables staff to best meet each child's individual needs and provide continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care, learning and play are excellently supported by the setting as they receive highly effective individual attention. Children are happy and are greatly at ease in the bright, welcoming, well-organised, child-friendly environment. They are confidently inspired to initiate and extend their own play and learning and gain independence. Children's developmental needs are considerably well met as they are provided with an extensive range of toys, resources and stimulating activities throughout each day. Children have plenty of opportunity to socialise with children of different ages. Children benefit from the staff's considerable experience and knowledge of child development. Their general well being is effectively promoted by the use of relevant documentation and from the sound procedures in place. A high level of information is shared daily with parents to keep them fully informed about the service, their child's

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Organisation

routine and activities. This contributes greatly to continuity in each child's care. 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. 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 National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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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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): • make fresh drinking water more readily available to children in a variety of ways • make sure when conducting fire drills the patterns of attendance of children and staff are taken into account.

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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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