Montagu Community Nursery

Montagu Community Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Montagu Community Nursery

EY284370 Unique Reference Number 20 October 2006 Inspection date Jim Bostock Inspector

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Montagu Community Nursery

Houghton Avenue, Cowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 3UT Setting Address

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E-mail

Newcastle Upon Tyne LEA Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care Type of 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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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?

Montagu Community Nursery was registered in April 2004, and accommodates a maximum of 26 children aged from birth to under five years. At the time of inspection there were 35 children on the register. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, from 08.00 to 18.00 hours, 51 weeks of the year.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

It shares the site with other organisations, including a nursery school, though the community nursery is self-contained. There are two main play rooms, with separate kitchen, laundry and office facilities. It is situated in the west of Newcastle upon Tyne and serves families from the local and surrounding communities. The nursery supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are 12 members of staff, 10 of whom work directly with the children at all times. The manager and the deputy are supernumerary, and there are additional staff who provide domestic skills support. All staff hold appropriate qualifications.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit because they receive a balanced and healthy diet. The staff have a good understanding of the nutritional needs of children as they fully consult with parents. For instance, when weaning babies they discuss the process with parents so that there is consistency between home and nursery. Meal times are social occasions for children with lots of discussion about daily events. Staff help babies and toddlers develop their independence very well, for example, one year old children are encouraged to hold their spoon and feed themselves. Older children help serve the food and learn good manners while they sit at the table. Children have easy and constant access to drinking water within the playrooms.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and hygiene is well promoted as there are good procedures to ensure the environment and resources are regularly cleaned. There are very good procedures for nappy changing which protect children from cross infection. All staff have current first aid training to protect children. Accidents and medicine are recorded appropriately, but not all records are signed by parents to show they have been informed. This does not fully protect children's health and safety.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is promoted through regular use of the outdoor area where they delight in riding trikes and pushing scooters. They thoroughly enjoy outdoor activities where they can explore for minibeasts and learn about change and nature by growing sunflowers. Children can access the outdoor area in all weathers as there are wet weather clothes for them. Indoors they enjoy music and movement and soft play.

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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 welcoming environment which is well maintained and well organised for safety and play. There are good toys and resources for children to use and play with. The service promotes child safety within the building by encouraging children to be aware of danger and keeping themselves safe, as well as taking good precautions to reduce the risk to children. For example, while children play outside staff talk to them about using wheeled toys safely so that they do not have accidents. Although staff have a good understanding of safety issues and there are risk assessments in place, staff are not fully conversant with them. Close supervision of children is used by the staff to help prevent accidents and keep children safe. There are good fire safety procedures but emergency evacuations are not practiced regularly to help both staff and children stay safe in the event of a fire. There are activities for children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

about safety and visitors to the setting, such as the fire safety officer, help children learn about staying safe. The collection of children is well planned and keeps them safe by the effective implementation of good written procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded from abuse because staff have a good awareness of the issues involved in protecting children and have undertaken regular child protection training. There are good policies and procedures in place to contribute to protecting children.

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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

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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 have warm and caring relationships with the staff. For example, staff cuddle babies and are very affectionate, gentle, patient and responsive with all children. Children are confident with staff who show a detailed understanding of their individual needs. They are encouraged to be independent with support and guidance in selecting and using the toys and equipment effectively. Expressive and enthusiastic language is used by the staff when interacting with the children, who respond with enthusiasm and interest in the activities. Children's abilities and confidence are developed through effective use of the wide selection of resources available. Staff have a good understanding of the development of children putting into practice skills and methods gained from experience and relevant training. Children's self esteem is developed through the staff valuing each child's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

contribution. For instance, a child excitedly and proudly showed staff a worm. Staff asked good open questions to extend the experience and learning. Other children joined in the discussion about how the worm feels, where it lives and how they should care for it.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a planned activity programme which encourages their interest and progress. Staff plan activities using the "Birth to three matters" framework and the "curriculum guidance for the foundation stage". Parents are fully involved in their children's experiences with the regular updates from key workers and easy access to the informative files of children's achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for as individuals with differences being acknowledged and enjoyed. Children gain a good understanding of the wider world and their local community through activities. They learn to be respectful and interact positively as staff are good role models and treat children with kindness, understanding and affection. Children develop self confidence very well because they receive lots of praise and encouragement. They are eager to participate in activities and respond very well to the staff. They learn to share, relate well to each other and behave very well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are promoted and developed very well. Parents are kept informed of their child's progress and details of their physical care on a daily basis both verbally and from individual files. Parents are fully consulted about all aspects of the care provided with the staff incorporating parents requests into the service. They provide written information for the service about their children and also provide written permissions so that children can be cared for in accordance with parents' wishes. Parents comments about the service are very positive. They feel they receive good information, relate well to staff and their children thoroughly enjoy attending sessions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are many activities, toys and resources related to multicultural play which helps children develop positive attitudes to difference. Children with English as an additional language are very well supported. Staff are knowledgeable about learning difficulties and disabilities to ensure children are fully involved and included in the setting.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The service provides clear routines and organised activities give children confidence in the setting. Children benefit from the relevant training attended by the staff which is reflected in the good standard of care provided. All the staff are qualified to National Vocational Qualification level three and they have access to very good ongoing training which helps them to effectively meet the needs of children. The well planned daily routine, and well resourced setting allows children to experience a wide variety of stimulating and interesting activities.

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Organisation

The documentation kept enhances the care provided by being relevant and well organised apart from the complaints procedure which is not up to date. The records are stored securely to ensure confidentiality. All required policies and procedures are in place. The service has current public liability insurance cover so that children are well protected. The certificate is displayed on the wall as is required. Staff undertake appropriate checks to ensure they are suitable to work with children.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provision was asked to continue to develop the outdoor play area. This has been developed very well and children have access to interest areas and play equipment to promote their enjoyment of outdoor play.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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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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): • parents should countersign records of accidents and medicine administered

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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 • improve safety arrangements by practising emergency evacuations regularly and ensuring staff are fully conversant with the written risk assessments • update the complaints procedure in accordance with the Addendum to the National Standards of October 2005.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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