The Co-operative Childcare Southampton

Buffer Bear Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Buffer Bear Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY297219 Inspection date 14 July 2005 Inspector Amanda Shedden

p.1

Buffer Bear Nursery

Setting Address Shirley Warren Action Church, Warren Crescent, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6AY Telephone number 02380 777207 E-mail southampton@bufferbear.co.uk Registered person Buffer Bear Ltd Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day care

p.1

Buffer Bear Nursery

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Buffer Bear Day Nursery has been is registered since November 2004 for full day care. They are part of the Buffer Bear nursery chain. This provision is located in the Shirley Warren area of Southampton in Hampshire. The registration is for 100 children aged from 3 months to 5 years. Children may attend on a full or part-time basis. At present 8 children attend for various sessions. The provision operates from a purpose built building with an enclosed outside play area. It opens Monday - Friday, 08:00 to 18:00 all year.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are very well cared for in the nursery as the staff work closely with the parents to ensure all children receive unique care packages to meet their individual needs. Children benefit from a well-balanced diet reflected in the five week menu and the staff's positive interaction with the children at meal times encouraging children to be independent. They enjoy an extensive and varied range of fresh fruit and vegetables as part of their daily diet. Children benefit from very good opportunities to promote their physical skills. The nursery organises purposeful play activities that support young children well. They are encouraged to develop their independence and practice their large and fine motor skills. Children enjoy play on large apparatus including a large walk through mirrored triangle and have fun climbing, balancing, and playing on bikes.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children feel safe and are extremely settled because of the high levels of support and supervision provided by the staff. There are very effective systems in place to ensure the safety and security of children being cared for. Risk assessments and checks are undertaken regularly both inside and outside the nursery to ensure children are cared for in a safe environment. Each room have additional equipment that is taken with the children during fire drills to ensure that their needs continue to be met including nappies, drinks and first aid kits. The fire evacuations are carefully monitored, recorded and reviewed to ensure children's continuing safety. Staff have an understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. This allows children to learn some sense of danger and knowledge of how to protect themselves from harm. Information is communicated and shared with parents well to keep them informed

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and up to date of health and safety policies, procedures and practice, to support children's arrangements for care. The staff are clearly aware of their responsibilities to ensure children are secure and protected. All staff have a sound knowledge of their responsibilities and duties to keep children safe. The child protection policy statement is shared with parents to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from the nurseries stimulating range of play and learning activities which support their developmental needs. The staff have an extensive understanding of children's developmental needs and they participate fully during activities, encouraging children to join in. Children have many opportunities to develop a range of skills and they progress in all areas in the stimulating and interesting environment. Good quality conversation flows freely from the staff to children, developing the children's communication and social skills effectively. Children are confident in self-selecting from a range of good quality resources that are appropriate for their age and stage of development, for instance the water play and sandpits are at a height which enables very young children to play with them. Staff make eye contact and respond quickly and appropriately to the children, making

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

them feel important and part of the group. Children benefit from the staff's strong support, they are affectionate and consistent, routines are in place to ensure all children have the opportunity for one-to-one and group activities. Children enjoy their time at the nursery.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs are fully met because the staff have time to get to know each child and their families. Children respond well to the staff's positive praise and encouragement, their understanding of the needs of the children ensure children are treated according to their stage of ability. Children benefit greatly from the nurseries purposeful partnership with parents. Children are happy, settle quickly and feel valued because their individual needs are discussed during arrival and collection, the home diaries are used effectively to ensure parents are fully aware of the experiences their children are having.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are fully occupied and engaged with ample play opportunities during their time at the setting. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom they provide. Children's health, safety and well-being is promoted effectively because all the legally required documentation is comprehensive, detailed, accurate, up-to-date and shared with parents. Children benefit from an extremely well-organised, safe, secure and stimulating environment, where they are protected by solid procedures which are implemented effectively by the staff. Children enjoy their time at the nursery because resources and activities are planned well, provide

p.4

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 sufficient challenge and the days are full and run smoothly. The staff have a clear understanding of the requirements of the registration and the inspection process, keeping children safe.

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5