Lawnswood Childcare - Castle Bromwich Nursery

Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY319443 Inspection date 14 September 2006 Inspector Janet Ashcroft

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Nursery

Setting Address Bosworth Wood Junior & Infant School, Auckland Drive, Birmingham, West Midlands, B36 0DD Telephone number temp 0121 7333 550

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E-mail

Registered person Lawnswood Childcare Ltd 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?

Bosworth Wood Neighbourhood Nursery was registered in 2006 and is part of the Lawnswood Childcare Group. It operates from a purpose built building situated within the grounds of Bosworth Wood Junior and Infant School, Solihull, West Midlands. The children have access to a secure outdoor play area. The setting opens for 51 weeks of the year, Monday to Friday from 07.30 until 18.00. The setting is registered to care for 50 children at any one time. There are currently 24 children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports children with learning difficulties.

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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 8 staff who work with the children and 7 are qualified to level 3; the remaining staff member is qualified to level 2 and is currently working towards level 3. The setting receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are actively learning about good hygiene through the staff's good example and practice, for example, hand washing before eating and after toileting. Older children are learning to manage their own personal hygiene through effective staff support and encouragement and through the provision of a good range of equipment to enable them to become self-reliant and independent. The bathroom is warm and brightly decorated, encouraging the children to spend time on their personal hygiene routines. Children are given frequent opportunities to exercise outdoors and full use is made of the garden, where the children are able to access a well-balanced range of equipment to develop and practise a wide range of physical skills. Nutritious meals are planned in advance and prepared daily on the premises from fresh ingredients; fruit and vegetables are offered on a daily basis and the children

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Helping children to be healthy

are actively learning about healthy eating through topic work and practical activities. Mealtimes are a relaxed and social occasion where good manners and socially acceptable eating skills are promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move independently around the setting which is creatively organised to meet their needs for stimulation, play and relaxation. Their sense of belonging is fostered as they are warmly welcomed into the setting by displays of their creative work and photographs of themselves engaged in activities. Independence skills are promoted as they freely access an extensive range of stimulating toys and equipment, which is well-balanced and promotes learning in all areas. Children are able to play, eat and sleep in very safe and healthy premises; staff are aware of risks to children's safety and have taken steps to remove hazards in the setting. Children are actively learning how to keep themselves safe by participating in road crossing exercises and fire evacuation routines. Children’s protection from abuse and neglect is promoted through the staff’s knowledge and understanding of child protection policies and procedures.

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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 able to engage in a broad and well-balanced range of stimulating activities and experiences planned to help them make progress in all areas of development. Full use is made of the central play plaza, where children of all ages are able to interact and play together and the children benefit from frequent play and learning opportunities outside the setting, with full use made of the local park and library. Children are given frequent opportunities to make decisions, for example, with regard to activity choice and selecting books for story time. Their language skills are promoted throughout the day as they are given frequent opportunities to discuss, negotiate and respond to questions asked of them by the staff. The staff listen carefully to the children's comments, enhancing their confidence and self-esteem. The staff have received some training in the 'Birth to three matters' framework and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are beginning to implement this in the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are warmly welcomed into the setting and staff value and respect the individuality and family context of each child. The children have many opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through topic work and through everyday routines such as caring for the nursery pets. The staff demonstrated a proactive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties. Behaviour is good and children are supported in sharing and turn taking; they respond well to gentle reminders to care for their environment, nursery resources and each other. A strong partnership with parents contributes to the children's well-being in the setting. Staff seek the parents' views about their children's needs and interests before they attend the setting and on a regular basis throughout their time there. Staff ensure that parents are given regular information about most aspects of the nursery,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

however, information about the children's individual key workers is not readily available. Parents are kept fully informed about current trends in child care practice, including information on the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Foundation Stage. Opportunities offered to parents to participate in such projects as tea parties, suggestion schemes and open days promotes strong consistency of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The environment is well-organised, with cheerful décor and child-centred posters creating a warm welcome for all children. The effective and consistent adult support

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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 and the familiar daily routine foster the children's sense of security. Staff enhance the children's care by good quality record keeping; policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and contribute to the children's health, safety and well-being. Children benefit from the good practice of the well-qualified staff team, however, staff deployment at nappy changing time does not always contribute to their welfare and safety. The setting's commitment to continuous improvement ensures that staff are kept fully informed of current trends in child care practice. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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): • ensure that information given to parents includes details of children's key workers • organise staff deployment to ensure the children's welfare and safety, especially at nappy changing time.

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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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