Zone 4 Kids

Zone 4 Kids

Inspection report for early years provision

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Zone 4 Kids

Unique Reference Number EY277713 Inspection date 20 June 2006 Inspector Hilary, Jane Purvis

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Zone 4 Kids

Setting Address Whitley Lodge First School, Woodburn Drive, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, NE26 3HW Telephone number 0191 2581662 E-mail sm@tynemouthnursery.com Registered person Tynemouth Nursery Group Ltd Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day care

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Zone 4 Kids

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?

Zone 4 Kids is a childcare provision run by Tynemouth Nursery Group Ltd. It was registered in 2004 and operates from a purpose built building in the grounds of Whitley Lodge Middle School, Whitley Bay. A maximum of 51 children can be cared for at any one time. The provision is open each weekday from 7.45 to 18.00 both term time and holiday time. All children have access to two fully enclosed outdoor play areas. There are currently approximately 290 children on roll. There are three permanent members of staff, all of whom have relevant childcare qualifications. Children come

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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 from mainly within the local area, many of whom attend the adjacent school. The provision currently supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. Additional staff transfer from other provisions within the Tynemouth Nursery Group to provide cover or to provide additional staff when the number of children cared for increases.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from staff having a suitable understanding of child health and putting in place suitable procedures to ensure that the risk of infection to children is reduced, for example, by ensuring that children consistently wash their hands at appropriate times. Children's independence is well supported through them having easy access to the toilet facilities. They are provided with suitable opportunities to undertake their own personal hygiene tasks with a little staff intervention, where appropriate. Children's individual health requirements are effectively met through the detailed recording of information provided by parents. All staff have attended first aid training, however, the duration of the training undertaken is insufficient to meet the National Standards. A sick child policy is in place which promotes the environment as a healthy one, however, parents do not have easy access to the policy which outlines

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Helping children to be healthy

why sick children can not be cared for and an indication of exclusion times. Children are very well protected from sun damage through staff consistently and thoroughly applying sun cream and hats. The staff have a good understanding of providing a healthy balanced diet. Children are provided with the opportunity to partake in breakfast, lunch and tea. Lunch is provided via the school meals service within the adjacent first school. A menu of suitable meals is available from which the nursery selects a healthy option. Meal times are promoted by the provision as a happy positive experience with children sitting at appropriate furniture and enjoying each other's company. Children are not involved in the organising of mealtimes as staff set the tables, serve all meals in the kitchen and serve all drinks. Parents are provided with the opportunity to send packed lunches for their children which are cold stored. Children are provided with

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Helping children to be healthy

healthy drinks to accompany meals, however, they do not have free access to drinking water during the rest of the day. Children's physical development is well supported by the provision. They are given daily opportunities to develop their gross motor skills through regular use of the outdoor area, which gives them the opportunity to run jump and develop a sense of balance. Throwing and catching games encourage children's hand and eye coordination. Fine motor skills are supported through the provision of craft activities, puzzles and various construction opportunities.

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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 The environment is well maintained being warm and welcoming to both parents and children. The premises is effectively kept secure with staff carefully monitoring the entrance to the provision via viewing panels and an external CCTV camera. There are appropriate hand over procedures in place which ensure that children leave with a suitable carer. There are two main childcare areas available as well as a messy area, toilets and a kitchen. Children have access to two outdoor play areas which are regularly used and fully enclosed, however, within one of these areas there is an incomplete flower bed which poses a danger to children. They can easily climb over the low surrounding wall and fall into it, currently staff provide supervision to prevent children from having access to it.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a wide range of toys and equipment that are suitable for the ages and abilities of the children cared for. They are stored in an organised and safe manner. The regular cleaning of all equipment ensures that they remain hygienic for children to use. After each use toys and equipment are checked by staff, which enables broken or incomplete items to be removed preventing them from becoming a danger to children. Staff provide suitable, gentle reminders to increase children's understanding why some behaviour is inappropriate or dangerous, such as, pushing when lining up or running indoors. Children are encouraged to be aware of their own behaviour and the effect that it may have on others. Children learn effectively about road safety when undertaking outings that involve them walking near or crossing roads. Additional projects on road safety have been undertaken by the provision to further consolidate

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children's knowledge and understanding. Children are well protected from the risk of fire through there being in place clear and suitable policies. The fire prevention officer has provided information on fire prevention which the provision has implemented. There is a lost child policy in place outlining the procedure to be followed should a child become lost. Children are well protected through the staff having a good understanding of child protection and having undertaken additional training to ensure that their knowledge is accurate and up to date. All information gained both verbal and written is dealt with in a confidential manner.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The environment provided by staff is warm and caring where all children are settled and happy. Strong positive relationships have been developed between both staff and children which enhances their feeling of belonging. A key worker system is not in place; parents liaise with any of the three full time members of staff rather than with one member of staff who has a specific responsibility for their child. Staff show a great interest in each child as an individual, responding positively to their contribution. Children receive constant warm and affectionate contact with staff, they display confidence in their relationship and approach staff without hesitation for cuddles and hugs. Staff present children with good role models and deal with each other and with all children in a kind, caring and respectful manner. Staff gently remind children, for

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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 example, if they are talking over each other, to listen and wait for their turn. Children are provided with suitable opportunities to develop an understanding of right and wrong. They receive specific praise which enhances their feeling of self confidence and belonging. Children are provided with a clear daily routine which they are confident in. They are able to indicate events that happen each day including activity time, outdoor play and lunch time. A selection of activities are provided during each day. Children are able to experience role play, small worlds, construction and messy play. They are organised during each session into groups to take part in certain activities, for example messy play. Children are encouraged to partake in an activity area, such as table top toys,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

floor activities or messy play rather than moving freely between activities depending on their individual preference. The organisation of some of the activities provided, such as, creative play is very structured. Children are shown an example of an item to be created, for example, a picture of a house made out of coloured shapes. Staff discuss the colour, shape and size of the pieces available but do not encourage children to experiment or create an alternative to the example provided. Children showed limited enjoyment of this activity, simply following staff guidance on where the pieces should be stuck on their sheet. During the daily routine there are occasions, such as when clearing up after lunch, that children are not provided with suitable activities to stimulate and interest them. Children are required to sit and watch a DVD altogether and without choice, many children clearly indicate through

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their actions that they are not interested, shuffling and chatting. Staff remind children on a regular basis that they must sit still and not make too much noise to allow others to hear and see. Regular use of the outdoor area provides children with good opportunities to run, jump and have fun. The area is well equipped and provides a wide variety of experiences for all children to run, jump, develop a sense of balance and have fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and their contribution praised and enjoyed by staff. Children's individual needs are well recorded and incorporated into the care provided. Staff encourage parents to keep them updated of their child's experiences and home situation to enable them to meet their needs effectively. Children learn about the community they live in well. Outings to local facilities are undertaken, this allows children to develop a good understanding of the different aspects of their community. The provision invites visitors in to the provision including a dietician and magician to provide information and entertainment. Suitable opportunities are provided for children to develop an understanding of other cultures and religions. Multi-cultural festivals are celebrated, such as Chinese New Year. There is a selection of resources, such as puzzles and books, that provide children with positive images of other cultures and religions. In addition to these there

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are resources, such as a wheel chair in the dolls house, that support children's understanding of the diversity in society, including disability.

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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 Children's individual and additional needs are well documented and effectively incorporated into the care provided. At present the provision cares for children with learning difficulties. The care provided is of a very high standard and the children's needs are effectively met. A good understanding of the individual needs and care required is fully understood by staff. This enables the children to feel happy, settled and confident in the environment and in the staff. Staff have not undertaken additional training on the care of children with learning difficulties or disabilities. Children's behaviour is well managed. Staff provide positive care incorporating good use of praise and encouragement. Children are provided with clear indications of why some behaviour is inappropriate or dangerous allowing them to develop a greater

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Helping children make a positive contribution

understanding of suitable behaviour. Effective, positive relationships have been developed with parents. The daily exchange of information allows both parents and staff to be fully aware of each child's development and well being. Parents give a positive view to the care their children receive, however, they are unsure of how to make a complaint or where to go should a complaint made not be satisfactorily be dealt with by the provision. The provision makes a copy of the inspection report available to all parents. There is a written contract in place between the provision and the parents of each child cared for.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The provision is appropriately managed. The required policies and procedures are in place which support the care of children. The records retained are accurate and up to date, they include children's individual details and a suitable register. The organisation of the premises is suitable. Staff have created an environment that allows a variety of activities to be provided successfully. Staff training is effectively incorporated into the organisation of the provision, with all staff having access to relevant and beneficial training. There is a suitable recruitment system in place and this includes aspects such as, advertising, interviewing, qualification requirement, CRB clearance and a health declaration. The system in place protects children and promotes their well being. There is a strong routine in place which incorporates a selection of activities and experiences for children on a daily basis. Children are confident in the daily routine

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Organisation

and are able to develop an understanding of and a confidence in the pattern of the day. Adequate time is given to each aspect of the day allowing children to participate without feeling rushed or frustrated. All required documentation is in place. Confidentiality is well incorporated with both written and verbal information being maintained in a confidential manner. Children's individual details are accurately maintained and up to date contact numbers retained. There is a suitable selection of policies and procedures in place, which reflect the running of the provision. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it

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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 provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provision has endeavoured to continue to develop the care provided through various means, such as staff training, regular purchases of quality equipment and planning a varied daily routine. The implementation of these aspects further develops the childcare practise in place.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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 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): • ensure that all staff attend a first aid course which is of a suitable duration • ensure that children have easy access to fresh drinking water • ensure that the flower bed within the outdoor area is made safe • further develop the daily routine to ensure that children are provided with suitable activities that stimulate and challenge them • ensure parents are aware of the complaints policy in place.

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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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