The Oaks Day Nursery

The Oaks Day Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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The Oaks Day Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY286105 Inspection date 26 October 2005 Inspector Paula Hunt

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The Oaks Day Nursery

Setting Address The University of Birmingham, Bristol Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, West Midlands, B29 6SL Telephone number 0121 4147999

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E-mail

Registered person University of Birmingham 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?

The Oaks Day Nursery opened in 2004. It operates from newly refurbished building within the grounds of Selly Oak College Campus in Selly Oak. The nursery serves the local area. A maximum of eighty children may attend at any one time. There are currently 74 children aged 0 - 5 years on roll. This includes funded three- and four- year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The group opens five days a week all year round. Sessions are from are from 07:55

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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 until 18:20. There are thirteen members of staff working with the children. Ten staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 3. The setting receives support from a teacher mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted effectively by the routines within the nursery. Children know that they should wash their hands after visiting the toilet to prevent them from getting germs and are reminded of how to dispose of tissues hygienically. As a result children learn the importance of good hygiene and older children are beginning to take responsibility for keeping themselves healthy. Cleaning routines are well established and most cleaning takes place when children are not present enabling all areas of the building to be cleaned thoroughly. Sufficient staff are qualified in paediatric first aid to ensure that accidents can be dealt with appropriately. The setting have a clear policy of not admitting children who are suffering from infectious illnesses and this helps to protect children and minimise the risks of cross infection. Staff make good use of the 'Birth to three matters' guidance to provide a broad range

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Helping children to be healthy

of activities, which effectively promote children's health, both emotionally and physically. These children develop warm relationships with staff where they learn to express themselves and make choices. Staff closely follow children's home routines for sleeping, eating, and nappy changing, meeting their needs well. For example, some children enjoy being tickled as they are changed, others enjoy looking at a book. Staff have a secure knowledge of the children and give them good support as they learn what they can do with their bodies. Children have daily opportunities to access equipment to help them develop their physical skills and are taught the value of healthy living through topic work and discussions with staff. Older children enjoy regular opportunities where they gain and develop physical skills such as running, jumping, and balancing. They show good co-ordination, moving confidently and safely. They have fun exploring different ways

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Helping children to be healthy

of moving using their bodies. Their fine motor skills develop well as they use a wide variety of tools and equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children arrive happily and settle well. There are informative posters, mobiles and bright displays of children’s work that make the nursery very welcoming for children and adults. Each room has soft furnishings providing good opportunities for children to relax or read in comfort. Children can move around and play safely. They choose

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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 freely from a wide range of good quality toys and resources. These are appropriate for the children’s age and stage of development. There is enough safe and suitable furniture to allow children to play, work and eat in groups. Sufficient cots and sleep mats allow children to rest and sleep in comfort and safety. Staff monitor sleeping children to ensure their safety and well-being. Daily premises checks enable staff to identify and minimise any potential hazards although, a written risk assessment of the premises is not in place. Staff check the safety of the outdoor area before children play and the large play equipment is secure and well maintained ensuring it is suitable for children’s use. Security cameras and an effective entry system ensure only adults who should be on the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

premises have access to areas used by the children. This keeps children safe from unwanted visitors. Staff have a sound understanding of the procedures to follow if they have any child protection concerns about a child in their care. This promotes and safeguards children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children arrive happy and settle quickly. They enjoy their time in the setting and are interested in the activities available. Children choose from a good range of stimulating toys and resources. They have opportunities to take part in quiet and active games. They spend time concentrating on self chosen activities and are well motivated. Children enjoy group activities and join in enthusiastically. Overall, they achieve well because staff are experienced and have a sound knowledge of early years childcare, which they put into practice effectively. Children relate well to staff and to each other. They confidently approach staff for support, building good trusting relationships. Staff talk to children about what they are doing and respond to their interests. Staff know the children well and use varying strategies to support individuals to enable them to make progress. Children aged under three benefit from the good use of 'Birth to three matters'

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

framework. Staff use it to ensure they plan and provide a wide range of experiences, which enables babies and young children to make good progress. These younger children are developing well due to good staff support and individual attention. They develop their creativity as they enjoy different sensory experiences such as opportunities to make sounds with different instruments and toys. They explore their world as they play with different textures such as pasta, jelly, sand, and paints. Babies develop their communication skills as they respond to their key carer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Staff respect and value children as individuals, meeting their needs well. Children

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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 develop self-esteem and confidence as they make choices, assisted by the positive relationships with staff. The staff ensure that children have access to resources that represent the wider community. These resources and planned activities help children develop a positive attitude to themselves and others. Attention given to following home routines, particularly for the very young, helps provide consistent care for children. Children have ready access to their own comforters from home and this helps them feel secure and settle well. Great care taken when obtaining detail about children’s individual needs ensures all staff are fully informed, enabling them to care for the children appropriately. Staff manage children’s behaviour well using appropriate strategies and approaches.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

As a result, children begin to understand about acceptable behaviour. Staff are good role models, helping children to learn how to co-operate and show concern for others. Most children play well together and are generally happy to share the toys. All children benefit from lots of praise, encouragement and support from staff. There is a very good partnership with parents and carers. They are welcomed into the nursery, with their views actively sought and valued. They receive good detail about the procedures and policies that support the running of the nursery. Daily sheets are completed and shared verbally with parents as children are collected. This gives them good detail about their child’s day. As well as accessing their child’s development records, parents are able to contribute to them.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Staff organise space well to ensure children gain fully from all activities. Staff deployment is effective and ensures good supervision at all times. Generally, children play and work in groups according to their age. Staff also take account of children’s individual developmental needs before moving them to the next group. There are effective recruitment procedures in place. All staff can attend further relevant childcare training. This means that suitable, experienced and qualified persons look after children. Clear aims reflect a commitment to improving the quality of care and education. Comprehensive policies are consistently applied by staff which contributes to the smooth running of the setting. However, the content of some policies has not yet been reviewed or updated and as a result contain out of date information. Regular appraisals identify training needs and staff are encouraged to enrol on relevant

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Organisation

courses. This supports staff in their role and ensures they have the latest and most relevant information available. All mandatory records are well maintained to ensure the safe and effective management of the setting in order to promote children's welfare. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first inspection.

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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): • develop a risk assessment of the premises and ensure an action plan with timescales identifies action to be taken to minimise identified risks • update policies in line with the national standards for special educational needs and for complaints.

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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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