Hampton Nursery

Hampton Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Hampton Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY282455 Inspection date 23 June 2005 Inspector Diane Ashplant

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Hampton Nursery

Setting Address 26a Browns Lane, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands, B93 9BE

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E-mail

Registered person Isabelle Howes 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Hampton Nursery opened in 2004 and is one of two in the organisation. It is situated in a small row of business premises on a corner plot in Bentley Heath. The nursery operates on the ground floor and consists of baby sleep room, main playroom, small kitchen, messy play area and toilets. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The nursery serves the children from the local and surrounding areas. The nursery is registered for 18 children aged 0 to 5 years and there are currently 32 children up to the age of 2 years on roll. The nursery is open all year round except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 08.00 to 18:00 hours.

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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 There are eight permanent staff who work with the children. Half the staff hold an appropriate early years qualification and most of the remaining staff are working towards an appropriate qualification. The owner, who is a registered midwife, takes an active part at the nursery. There are also regular cover staff.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have regular opportunities to play outside which helps them develop physical skills and healthy bodies. They enjoy playing in a secure garden where they can try out new play experiences in the open air. Children's health is well protected outside by staff's awareness in areas such as the importance of sun protection and inside by consistent nappy changing routines. Children are beginning to learn the importance of hygiene practices such as hand washing which encourages them to maintain their health. Many of the regular staff hold a current first aid certificate and some have long experience of caring for babies and young children which means they can confidently manage children who are unwell or have an accident. Children's individual dietary needs and routines are respected and they are leaning to enjoy healthy eating by having regular fruit. Baby routines are clearly understood and

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Helping children to be healthy

followed by staff so they are able to rest or be active as they choose and so feel more content. Children's food from home is supplemented by the recent introduction of nursery breakfast and tea. However, the procedures for storing and preparing food are not ideal and some meal times are disorganised and fail to provide a suitably relaxed social environment for the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in newly converted premises which were specifically designed to meet the needs of babies and young children. Babies are able to sleep and play in a comfortable environment due to the very recent installation of efficient systems of temperature control. Children can crawl around freely and have access to a good range of age appropriate toys which are carefully checked to ensure suitability and safety. Although there is some further building development to take place the space both inside and out is organised at most times to provide the children with a range of different opportunities which meets their needs. Children are cared for in a safe environment where most hazards have been attended to. There are clear systems for arrival and departure so that children are protected and they have regular outside play in a secure garden. However the fire drills need to be regularly carried out and documented so that all staff clearly know

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

how to protect children in the event of a fire. Children's welfare is further protected by the policies and procedures of the nursery and the staff's understanding of their role in Child Protection.

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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 satisfactory. Children settle well into this nursery where they are cared for according to their individual needs. Babies receive lots of cuddles and attention so they feel secure and re-assured in their surroundings. This enables them to gain confidence to crawl around freely, to explore and try out new things. Staff respond positively to the babies' attempts to make early sounds and play with them on the floor encouraging them to reach for and hold toys. Children make good relationships with most staff and share in activities such as singing and water play. They are beginning to make choices and initiate their own play. Although the overall planning is limited and does not include many structured or creative sessions the children have access to a range of appropriate resources which encourage their interest and help them progress. Children engage happily in different play sessions both inside and out and interact

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

well with the staff which helps their development of social and language skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed here and some staff have previous experience in supporting and caring for those with special needs. Children's individual needs are respected and staff work closely with parents to ensure their home routines are understood and followed so that they settle well. Children generally get on well together as they are encouraged to take turns, to wait and to share. They also learn to understand the needs of others, like their youngest companions. However, there are few resources or opportunities to extend the children's general awareness of the wider world. Children are learning to understand how to behave by the clear guidance they receive from the staff. Babies and children are given regular praise and encouragement so they feel more confident to make progress and try new things. Suitable behaviour management strategies are used so children begin to learn what

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Helping children make a positive contribution

is not acceptable. Children benefit from the close liaison between parents and staff which enables open, daily conversation and the sharing of important information. Children are helped to settle and feel secure and parents are given time to discuss concerns and so feel well supported. This helps maintain a consistency of approach so that the best interests of the child are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel welcomed and comfortable at this nursery which means they settle well, take part in the opportunities provided and are beginning to initiate their own play choices. Children are happy and making progress due to the commitment of the staff

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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 team, some of whom are very experienced and work well together. Children have a varied daily routine and their time spent here is generally organised to meet their needs appropriately although more thought needs to be given to the management of space for the older ones, particularly around meal times. The owner is often on site and the support of experienced cover staff enables the daily routine to work efficiently during such times as staff breaks. However, the systems for ensuring Ofsted are kept informed of new staff do not always work effectively. Most of the documentation for the management of the nursery is in place although attention is needed to ensure certain records are developed and more effectively maintained. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • improve the procedures for the organisation of children's mealtimes and the storage of food. • extend the range of resources and opportunities which increase children's knowledge of the wider world. • improve procedures for informing Ofsted of changes of staff and the confirmation of their suitability. Ensure unchecked staff are suitably supervised. • conduct regular fire drills which are appropriately recorded.

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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 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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