Roundabout Nursery

Roundabout Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Roundabout Nursery

EY334821 Unique Reference Number 19 January 2007 Inspection date Fler Wright Inspector

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Roundabout Nursery

Whitehawk Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 5FL Setting Address

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E-mail

Brighton and Hove City Council, EYDCP Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day 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

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?

Roundabout Nursery was registered in 2006 although were previously established as part of Whitehawk Primary School. They now operate as part of a Children's Centre in the Whitehawk area of Brighton, East Sussex. The nursery is funded by the local council. The nursery is in a separate building next to the Children's Centre, and children have sole use of three dedicated play rooms. There is also a family room and one to one room for use as required. There are a number of secure outdoor areas available next to each play space. A maximum of 71 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open from 0800-1800, five days a week, for 51 weeks of the year.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 89 children aged from eight months to under five years on roll. The nursery currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language.

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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 The nursery employs 16 members of staff, 13 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. Two members of staff are working towards a qualification.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Additional services available at the Children's Centre include midwives, health visitors, a soft play area, mother and toddler group and a speech and language therapist.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. There are generally effective procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection. The environment is clean and tidy and children all wash their hands before lunch. Staff try their best to monitor hand washing during free flow snack although some children are missed and forget to wash their hands before they eat, slightly increasing the risk of cross contamination. Despite this, they know to 'pull their sleeves up and use the soap and bubbles' before eating or after using the toilet. The way the environment is set up allows children to access the toilets and basins as they please, encouraging their independence and their understanding of keeping healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

There is an appropriate sick child policy in place that is made available to parents, and children who are infectious do not attend thus preventing the spread of contagious ailments. Staff are aware of the need to record all accidents that require treatment, and these injuries are well documented. However, not all incidents are recorded, for example children bumping heads but not requiring any treatment, and although staff are usually efficient in passing this information onto parents, they intend to improve the systems in place in order to further promote children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to nutritious snacks such as fruit, and those that stay for breakfast, lunch or tea are provided with healthy meals that meet their dietary needs. All staff have a qualification in food hygiene. Drinks are available to all children at all times, encouraging them to decide for themselves when they are thirsty. Free flow snack for the older children helps to promote their independence as they are able to choose when they would like to eat. If they are too engrossed in what they are doing to think about having a snack, they are gently reminded by staff during their play that food is available for them if they would like it.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children of all ages have access to a wealth of equipment that promotes their physical development. Babies are encouraged to use resources such as an age appropriate slide with steps, and are able to cruise, walk or roll around their dedicated environment safely. Older children have access to a variety of equipment such as ride on toys and climbing apparatus and enjoy daily singing sessions, eagerly participating with the actions of songs. Each room has an adjacent outdoor play space that children are able to access freely, enabling them to extend their learning outside, and benefit from regular fresh air.

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Helping children to be healthy

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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to extremely warm and welcoming play areas that are well organised, and are set up to enable them to explore and move around freely. The babies, toddlers and older children each have their own dedicated rooms, all housing an excellent range of age appropriate furniture and equipment, helping to create a stimulating learning environment for all children. The resources are easily accessible to all, helping to increase children's independence and freedom of choice. Each room contains an appropriately equipped quiet area where children are able to sit and read, or relax and play quietly should they wish to do so.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are secure and there are effective procedures in place to prevent unwanted visitors gaining access to the setting. Staff have successfully minimised any potential hazards around the nursery, resulting in a very safe environment for the children. Any areas not deemed safe by staff, such as the grassed area outside, are made totally inaccessible to children, helping to ensure their safety. Staff deployment is effective and helps to ensure children are safe and well supervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have lots of experience in dealing with child protection concerns and consequently have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. They understand the importance of discussing existing injuries with parents although these are not always recorded. Due to their experience in this area, the impact this has upon the children is minimal, as they are very aware of the type of symptoms that arouse suspicion, and comprehensive forms are completed as soon as any cause for concern becomes apparent. This helps to ensure children are appropriately safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, relaxed and confident and enjoy the time they spend at the setting. They relate well to staff and to each other. They confidently approach staff for support indicating trusting relationships are built. Children have access to a wealth of good quality, stimulating toys that provide both balance and challenge. The learning environment is very well resourced, and is entirely free-flow ensuring children are able to access resources and all of their dedicated areas, including outside space as they please, increasing their enjoyment and potential.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very independent and enjoy their play immensely. They confidently approach areas as they please, and settle themselves quickly into activities such as pouring water, reading stories to each other, using their imaginations in the role play area, getting their own coats and going outside, using the computer and choosing when to have their snack. Experiences include physical play, creative play and interesting visitors such as museum representatives, that bring exciting specimens for children to see and touch. Carpet time at the end of the morning in the older children's room is a particularly enjoyable experience. Children eagerly tidy up so it can begin, and listen attentively to stories and eagerly join in with action songs showing they are well stimulated.

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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 Staff are enthusiastic and support children well during their play, helping to contribute to their learning. Staff plan experiences based on children's interests, and use the Birth to three matters and Foundation Stage frameworks to ensure that children's developmental progress is encouraged. Experiences are planned according to the individual needs and ages of the children in each room. Staff are highly qualified and use their skills and experience effectively to ensure children get the most out of their time at the nursery. Staff in the toddler and baby rooms have put together key worker books that display photos and observations made of each child. This makes it an important record for parents to keep, as it shows how each child is progressing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and are made to feel good about themselves. Children have their own pegs that are labelled with their names and photos, helping them to develop an important sense of belonging. The environment is decorated with children's work, showing that staff value their contributions. Staff have an understanding of equal opportunities, and the named person responsible for this area is attending training soon, in order to further benefit the children at the nursery. Children have access to a range of resources that help them to learn about individuality, different cultures, and the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff have lots of experience in caring for children with special needs, and provision is strong in this area. The designated special educational needs co-ordinator has a good knowledge and understanding of her role and works closely with parents and outside agencies to help ensure children's individual needs are met. She has put together individual education plans for many children attending the nursery with a variety of additional needs, and uses her base room as an effective opportunity for small group work, helping children to build on their skills appropriately. Staff use consistent and positive strategies for managing behaviour, helping children learn to understand right from wrong and play together harmoniously.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff encourage a communicative relationship with parents, who are very happy with the care provided. Parents benefit from 'play days' where they are able to come and experience what their children do whilst at nursery, these along with parent consultations and home visits help them to feel fully involved in their child's learning. A family room is available for parents to use if they want to have a cup of tea, read the policies or sit somewhere whilst their child settles in, helping them to feel comfortable and involved in the environment. Daily exchanges of information, both verbally and on the white boards in each of the rooms, help to ensure information is shared whilst encouraging effective communication links between staff and parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. There are a large number of policies and procedures that all help to ensure the safe and effective management of the setting in order to promote children's welfare. All of the required records are in place, are confidential and generally well maintained. However, some of the paperwork in relation to accidents and incidents is basic, and not all existing injuries are recorded. The

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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 registers contain the required information although the format makes it unclear when rooms are merged, or which staff are looking after the children at any one time.

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Organisation

Children benefit from a well-organised environment where they receive good adult support to help them feel secure and confident. The nursery have a large number of highly qualified staff on duty meaning that children are able to benefit appropriately from their skills and experience. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities, and the management team support each other well. Children are well grouped and staff are appropriately deployed within the areas helping to ensure children are well supervised and safe. For example, a member of staff monitors the door at arrival and departure times whilst other staff help to settle children in, or prepare them to leave. The various rooms are well resourced, and staff organise the equipment well, extending play as appropriate. They have successfully created a stimulating learning environment for children of all ages. Overall, staff meet the needs of the range of children for whom they

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Organisation

There are a variety of additional services available at the Children's Centre that include midwives, health visitors, a soft play area, mother and toddler group and a speech and language therapist. They are all situated in a separate building adjacent to the nursery, so staff and children do not have many connections with the facilities. The manager of the nursery takes an active role in deciding on the services available to the community from the Centre. All of the additional services offered are free, making the Centre a valuable resource for families in the area.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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

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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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

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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): • improve record keeping with regards to accidents, incidents and existing injuries • ensure registers clearly show the children in attendance in each room and the staff looking after them at any one time

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The quality and standards of the care

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 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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