YMCA Woodlands Nursery

YMCA Woodlands Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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YMCA Woodlands Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY319646 Inspection date 19 June 2006 Inspector Gill Ogden

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YMCA Woodlands Nursery

Setting Address Woodlands Infant & Nursery School, Whitethorn Grove, Off Regent Street,, Birchwood, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 0PF Telephone number 01522 685499

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E-mail

Registered person Lincolnshire YMCA 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?

YMCA Woodlands Nursery was registered in 2005 and is part of Birchwood Sure Start Children's Centre. It is managed by Lincolnshire YMCA and operates from purpose-adapted premises comprising three play rooms, a secure outdoor area and associated facilities, attached to Woodland Nursery and Infant School, Lincoln. It is open all year round from 08:00 until 18:00. The nursery is registered to care for a maximum of 32 children, aged from birth to five years, at any one time. There are currently 25 children on roll. All three staff members hold a relevant early years qualification.

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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 The nursery is in the process of becoming registered to take nursery education grant and taking out membership to the Pre-school Learning Alliance. They are involved in a local pilot project using the High Scope approach across the whole age range of children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for by staff who have a solid understanding of how to keep them healthy and ensure that parents are kept well-informed of the policies and procedures that are in place to maintain children's good health. Staff follow strict hygiene procedures when, for example, they change children's nappies. Children gradually learn from seeing staff using gloves and disposing of their nappies hygienically that good personal hygiene habits are important when toileting. As they get older they competently flush the toilet themselves and go straight to wash their hands, knowing how to turn on the taps, use the soap dispenser and the hot air dryers. Parents are well aware that children who have contagious illnesses cannot be cared for because that would be detrimental to others. Regular cleaning routines ensure that the premises are kept suitably hygienic. Staff are alert to children's rest

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Helping children to be healthy

needs and recognise signs in individual children, especially the babies, that they are becoming tired. They have effective, comforting settling to sleep and waking up routines. Children enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise in the outdoor play area, using equipment such as a climbing frame and slide to develop their strength and coordination. All ages of children are encouraged and challenged to develop and improve their mobility appropriately, both indoors and outdoors, where they have plenty of space to move around safely. Children are provided with good quality meals and snacks. The nursery is gradually building up a varied menu through testing out different meals to identify what children prefer and ensure they get a balanced diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, each day. Children have individually marked bottles of water which are accessible to them at all times and staff are vigilant in encouraging them to drink more in hot weather to

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Helping children to be healthy

keep them sufficiently hydrated. Parents are kept well-informed about what their children have eaten and drunk, and especially so when children have special dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Risks of accidental injury to children are gradually being minimised because staff use accident records effectively to help them maintain a safe environment and help children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they regularly note that children need to be reminded about the potential hazards around them and how they need to behave so as not to have an accident. Children also take part in regular fire drills so they learn how to quickly vacate the premises if necessary. Security of 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 premises is very good with all the doors leading off the entrance hall to the care rooms, as well as the main access to the premises, having a coded entry system. Passwords are recorded and used so that if named, known carers cannot pick children up then staff can be sure that they leave with a suitable adult. All the necessary safety equipment is in place and checked regularly. Toys and play resources are of good quality and well-maintained. Children are further protected because staff are fully aware of their child protection responsibilities and procedural flow-charts from national guidance are clearly displayed in each room. However, the nursery policy has some missing elements and does not relate closely enough to current local procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the nursery because they receive plenty off staff attention and planned activities and experiences are appropriate to their needs. Staff encourage children from an early age to make decisions and think for themselves throughout the day. For example, even the youngest children are encouraged to choose between a pear and raisins for dessert and then if they choose the pear, say whether they want it cut up or whole. Through choosing toys and activities they are interested in and staff supporting them sensitively, especially babies, to explore using all their senses, children begin to learn about and make sense of the world around them. They are encouraged to be creative, for example, using glue and a variety of materials to create collages and foot printing by standing in paint and walking on paper. Babies enjoy exploring natural items such as wicker balls, chewing them and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

poking their fingers through the holes to find out all they can about them. Older children enjoy pretend play and are able to recall, when asked, what they did and where they went, such as to the supermarket to buy an apple. Strong relationships between children and staff are demonstrated when children say that they want to play with an adult rather than a toy or activity. In this way children show that they feel secure and are confident that they will have fun with the adults who look after them. Staff use the 'Birth to three matters' framework effectively to review the experiences they provide for children and ensure that they are growing and developing appropriately. Older children are supported well to make the transition to the foundation stage curriculum, armed with good communication skills and an urge to take part in activities and show what they can do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and enabled to play a full part in the nursery because staff respect the individuality and family background of each child. Children's self-esteem is promoted through, for example, their work being displayed and photographs of them being put regularly into their 'special books' that show their involvement in the setting. They use some resources as part of their everyday play that help them learn

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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 to respect and learn about all members of society and the wider world. Behaviour is good because staff focus on giving children attention for desirable behaviour and encouraging them to begin to understand and resolve conflicts for themselves. Staff act as good role models, demonstrating good manners and respect for one another. Parents express their satisfaction of the nursery, the staff and the progress their children are making. They receive useful written information about the provision generally but the complaints procedure includes some information that is out of date. Daily diaries give parents good information about their children's day. They are also encouraged to use the diaries to share information from home with the staff. Parents have plenty of time to talk to staff when they drop children off and pick them up and

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are comfortable with the way the environment is organised and are beginning to understand and follow routines. Staff work as a team and manage a mixed age group of children effectively, meeting their individual needs well. They are making the most of the time they have, whilst numbers of children attending are still relatively low, to develop and practise systems and increase their knowledge and understanding of early years care and education to provide the best experiences they can for the children. To this end they are working closely with their part-time teacher and local authority advisors towards becoming registered to accept a nursery grant. They are also excited to be working with an experienced High Scope practitioner and trainer in order to implement this approach in the nursery. Solid induction procedures are in place and informal supervision is ongoing. The manager is working towards

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Organisation

implementing more formal appraisal systems for each staff member. Only one main room and the outdoor play space is being used currently but staff are thinking about and preparing the other rooms so that children can eventually be looked after in separate baby, toddler and pre-school rooms. The room is well set up to display clear learning areas and is safe for younger children to move around because they are very well supervised. All the required records and most of the other necessary documents are in place, stored appropriately and kept accurately. Overall, the needs of children are met.

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

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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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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 child protection procedure complies with that of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and includes a procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff • ensure the complaints procedure includes the regulator's correct contact details.

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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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