Dinnington Pre-School

Dinnington Pre School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Dinnington Pre School

EY216729 Unique Reference Number 02 November 2006 Inspection date Angela Howard Inspector

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Dinnington Pre School

Dinnington Resource Centre, Laughton Road, Dinnington, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S25 2PP

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E-mail

Dinnington Pre School Registered person Integrated Type of inspection Sessional 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Dinnington Pre School opened in 1965. It operates from within Dinnington Resource Centre in the village of Dinnington in the borough of Rotherham. The pre-school serves the local and wider communities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting is registered to provide sessional day care for a maximum of 26 children aged three to five years at any one time. There are currently 70 children on roll; of these, 54 receive funded nursery education. The setting supports three children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The pre school opens for 10 sessions a week for 39 weeks a year. They are open from 09.15 to 11.45 and 12.30 to 15.00 each day. There are seven members of staff working directly with the children who have relevant qualifications and experience. The setting receives support from an outreach teacher employed by the local authority.

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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 stay healthy because they are cared for in very clean and well maintained premises. Staff follow good hygiene procedures and encourage children to learn simple personal hygiene practice through daily routines. For example, children know they wash hands after using the toilet and before eating. They explain to the inspector that germs can make them ill. Good adult support helps children to gain a positive understanding of hygiene and helps to develop their independence in personal care. Appropriate documentation is in place for administering medication and managing accidents and there are clear procedures regarding the care and exclusion of children who are ill. However, the medication records do not contain sufficient detail and parents are not asked for permission to allow staff to seek emergency treatment. This compromises children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thoroughly enjoy a very wide range of healthy snacks, which take into account children's dietary needs and parents' wishes. This results in children being well nourished as they develop an understanding of the importance of healthy eating. Snack times are an opportunity for children to enjoy their food, try new food, for example pumpkin soup, and a social time for staff and children to converse.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children access fresh air and exercise daily. They enjoy energetic games like riding bikes and scooters, climbing, throwing and catching balls and bean bags. They delight in digging in the sand, balancing on crates and playing 'ring-a-ring-a-roses'. Older children rise to the challenge of catching balls with Velcro bats. This results in children gaining good control of their bodies and improves their physical skills.

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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 very safe environment where identified risks have been addressed. Positive steps have been taken to ensure children access a safe and secure environment, such as the use of socket covers, cleaning materials are kept out of reach and double handles and locks are fitted on internal doors to ensure children cannot leave the premises. Staff complete thorough risk assessments regularly to ensure the premises remain safe and secure. The entrance to the premises is kept secure and a fully enclosed outdoor play area ensures children can play safely, freely and independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a visually attractive learning environment which is enhanced with posters and children's art work. Resources are of good quality, age appropriate and presented in an appealing and interesting manner. For example, foliage and twigs are used with the dinosaur small world activity. Resources are checked on a regular basis to ensure they remain safe and conform to safety standards. This gives children the opportunity to self-select equipment and enjoy a wide variety of different play experiences safely.

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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 Children are very well protected as staff have a very good understanding of their role and responsibilities with regards to child protection matters. They have a clear understanding of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and recognise the signs and symptoms of possible abuse. This ensures that the welfare and safety of children is always a priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children arrive at the setting happy and relaxed. They receive a very warm welcome and are eager to play. They are cared for by extremely warm, caring and friendly staff who offer very good levels of support to make the transition from home to the setting successful. Very good procedures ensure children settle at their own pace and any distress is minimal. Close and caring relationships have successfully increased children's sense of trust. This helps them to develop their confidence and self-esteem to enable them to build meaningful relationships.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff have a secure knowledge of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and use this to plan a rich and vibrant programme of activities. Children show a strong sense of belonging and make choices about their play, selecting activities and resources from the interesting and varied range available. For example, children decide to make patterns with combs and cards in dry sand, build cars and diggers with construction bricks, catch sea creatures with small nets in the water tray or snuggle with a member of staff for a story. Therefore, children spend their time purposefully and thoroughly enjoy playing with the toys provided.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children demonstrate a great deal of enjoyment during their play, they squeal with delight as they all fall down when playing ring games and show wonder as they explore the texture of the inside of a pumpkin. This ensures children make good progress in their learning, are self-assured in their play and are confident to try out new experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. This is due to staff having a good knowledge of the Foundation Stage and stepping stones guidance. Planning focuses on the children's assessment records, to ensure appropriate challenge and progression in all areas of learning is achieved successfully. Staff use a good range of teaching methods including adult directed activities, such as one to one number games and exploring the inside of a pumpkin. This results in children being interested and enables them to enjoy their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are eager to learn, be self assured and confident to try out new experiences, such as tasting home made pumpkin soup. As a result children are highly motivated. Children eagerly explore a good range of media and materials, including dry sand making patterns with combs, wet sand filling buckets and beakers, play dough to roll and cut, water to measure and pour and a vast range of junk modelling material in the self select workshop. Children respond excitedly as they explore the texture of a pumpkin, describing it as 'slimy, stringy and smelly'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's counting and mathematical skills are fostered very well by staff who make good use of daily routines to promote mathematical ideas. For example, children count the number of

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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 children present at register time and count how many children can sit at the snack table, paint at the easel and play in the water tray at any one time. Number activities include one to one sessions where children are beginning to calculate using visual aids, such as ten bears in a bed and one fell out. The environment is very rich in print with alphabet posters and labels on equipment which develop children's understanding that print has meaning. The prompt cards alongside the construction and small world play promote problem solving skills very well. Children access a very wide variety of mark making materials freely. They write on clip boards sounding letters as they make marks to represent words. However, although children have good opportunities to develop pencil control they do not often write for a purpose, for example,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children speak confidently using a wide range of vocabulary, that is extended by the skilful interactions of staff as they talk to children during their play introducing new words. For example, when children make drinks in the home corner staff ask for 'cappuccinos'. Children repeat the word as they give staff their drink ' this is your cappuccino'. Children show interest in simple information and communication technology. They confidently use telephones and calculators and are adept in using the mouse to complete basic computer programs. Well established observations by key workers help to identify areas for improvement and monitor how well children are progressing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show a very strong sense of belonging and feel very much at ease in the setting as they are warmly welcomed by friendly, familiar staff. Staff meet their individual needs successfully as they are valued and respected as individuals. This is due to staff taking time to get to know the children and working with parents prior to placements commencing to ensure they can meet their individual needs. Children are confident, play happily and are confident to approach staff for help. This results in children feeling safe and secure, through which they develop their self confidence, a strong belief in themselves and a healthy self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good and reflects the high expectations of staff, who provide them with clear and consistent boundaries and explanations. As a result, children are aware of what is expected of them and are learning right from wrong in a warm and caring environment. Staff ensure that the resources and activities positively reflect the wider community, helping children to develop a positive attitude towards others. This positive approach ensures children’s social, moral, spiritual and cultural development is fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is good. Good relationships are evident which helps children to feel safe and secure. Parents and carers receive a warm welcome and are encouraged to be part of the child's day, for example, they come in to bake with children. Parents receive good information in a variety of ways; informal discussions with staff, policies and procedures, planning documentation and access to children's observation and assessment files. The parent notice board displays an abundance of information for parents to enable them to extend their child's learning at home, such as the letter of the week, rhymes to sing and the topic for the term. Children are clearly benefiting from the positive partnership and are settled in response to this.

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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. Comprehensive and robust recruitment procedures are in place. This ensures children are cared for by suitable staff who are appropriately vetted. The deployment of caring, sensitive staff increase children's feelings of safety and security because it ensures children are cared for by a key person who builds trusting relationships with the children and their families.

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Organisation

All staff are committed to continuous improvement and development. They regularly reflect, monitor and improve the quality of care. Staff have attended a vast amount of training, such as first aid, multi cultural awareness, child protection, managing children's behaviour, communication language and literacy, outdoor play and nutrition workshops. Children's experiences are enhanced as the staff use training opportunities to improve their practice. Very good team work makes sure all staff work together in a highly effective manner to promote children's health, enjoyment and welfare.

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Organisation

The premises are very well organised and space is used to its full potential to maximise children's play opportunities. Children are protected by the staff's clear understanding of the setting's policies and procedures. All required documentation, which contributes to promoting outcomes for children, is effectively implemented. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

The leadership and management of the setting is good. The person in charge plays an active role in the day to day operation of the setting. Children benefit from knowledgeable staff who are confident with their roles and responsibilities. All staff are involved in the development of the setting to ensure the aims for children's care and education are reflected in their day to day practice. Children are provided with an environment that is inclusive, interesting, appealing and simulating. Regular staff meetings ensure that the quality of teaching and learning is continually monitored and evaluated.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection five recommendations where made; two of which where in relation to documentation and three in relation to staff roles. The two recommendations in relation to documentation were regarding the risk assessments prior to outings and the records of children's arrival and departure times. These have been reviewed and now meet regulatory requirements. Therefore, children remain safe. Three recommendations where made in relation to ensuring that there is a designated member of staff to manage behaviour issues and any child protection incidents and that a named deputy is identified. There is now a named deputy who is fully aware of her role and responsibilities and two members of staff have taken on the role of designated person for any child protection or behaviour management issues. Therefore, children remain safe and well cared for.

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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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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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 documentation on administration of medication • seek permission from parents for emergency medical treatment.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • extend opportunities to encourage children to ascribe meanings to marks.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 nursery education

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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