Puddle Ducks Pre-School

Puddleducks Pre-School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Puddleducks Pre-School

EY318294 Unique Reference Number 28 November 2006 Inspection date Beverly Kemp-Russell Inspector

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Puddleducks Pre-School

Abbey Farm, Church Lane, Alvingham, Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 0QD Setting Address

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E-mail

The Playroom/Puddle Ducks Pre School Registered person Integrated 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 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?

Puddleducks Pre-School and the Playroom opened in 2006 and is privately owned. It operates from a converted barn in a rural area close to Louth. The setting serves the local community and the surrounding areas.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 54 children from two to eight years of age on roll. This includes 13 funded three and four-year-olds. The setting can support children with special educational needs and there are no children who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group opens five days a week, 50 weeks a year. Sessions are from 07:30 to 18:30 hours.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Two part time staff and four full time staff work with the children. Three staff hold a relevant qualification and one is working towards a qualification. The setting receives support from the

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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 Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Staff follow clear procedures for maintaining hygiene which ensures that the children are cared for in a clean and healthy environment, for example, tables are wiped with anti-bacterial spray prior to being used for food. Children are encouraged to become independent in promoting their own good health such as, routine hand washing before food and children show confidence in using this ability. Children's health is promoted by health and medication records. Staff hold current first aid certificates which helps maintain children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a choice of snacks which include a variety of fruit such as apples, grapes and raisins to ensure healthy eating choices are promoted. Children have access to drinks throughout the session and a water machine is provided to ensure they are well hydrated. Parents provide packed lunches for children who attend full days and healthy eating is promoted by the setting having a detailed policy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular opportunities for physical activities and are skilled at using a range of equipment to promote coordination skills. The enthusiastic staff team provide innovative outdoor activities which contribute to children's health and provide optimal challenge. Children make use of the outdoor area to exercise in the fresh air on a daily basis promoting very good outcomes for children. There is a rich, varied and imaginative programme for children to use equipment and experience activities such as, the climbing wall, slide and football to develop their large body skills. Staff ensure children are making good physical progress. They discuss how fresh air and exercise are good for you and link to healthy lifestyles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to rest according to their needs and the wishes of their parents. Staff provide a carpeted area for children to rest and relax but the area is not completely developed to ensure children's needs are fully met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment which is well maintained, safe and secure. The premises provide well planned space in a superb location and offer access to outstanding facilities which promote children's all round development. The mangers and all staff ensure regular meticulous risk assessments are completed to help minimise hazards which may harm children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use an inspiring range of developmentally appropriate resources which are regularly checked for safety. Staff use clear explanations so that children are able to take responsibility for keeping themselves safe. Furniture, equipment and toys are provided which are robust and create a wealth of opportunities and an exceptional, stimulating environment. Staff consider

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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 supervision of children paramount to the extent of using a walking rope to get the children to the outdoor play area which is very close by.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff give the utmost priority to keeping children safe and the settings meticulous policies and procedures significantly ensures positive steps are taken to prevent accidents. Staff consider children's safety is paramount at all times. Staff are highly motivated and fully aware of children's constantly developing abilities and ensure superior safety measures are applied at all times to avoid dangerous situations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because staff have a clear understanding of their role in protecting children and are able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. Children are protected by staff's awareness of child protection guidelines and strong procedures support the managers in protecting children from abuse. Some staff have attended child protection training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The care and play experiences for children in the setting are good. Children are content and settled and enjoy close relationships with their carers. Staff provide activities and resources in order to give children a mix of active and quiet times. They plan and provide a good range of learning opportunities for children which include both adult directed and free play activities such as, programmable toys and baking bread. Staff's interactions with children are carefully balanced to ensure children are able to initiate their own activities and explore freely but are given time for activities which need more support and direction. Staff find out about children's skills, interests and needs and build on this information effectively to help children achieve and develop further with activities such as, making kites and dough modelling. They provide some challenge for children whilst their enthusiasm encourages children to be extremely

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

confident and self-assured in their participation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Regular discussions with parents ensure that young children benefit from and experience familiar home routines for eating and resting, helping them to feel safe and secure. Children show interest in what they do such as, making soup and Christmas decorations. They are beginning to experiment with sticking activities and like to dress up using a very good range of outfits in the home corner. They have a wealth of opportunities to access activities to develop their creativity. Children make choices from a good range of resources provided each day and they are absorbed throughout the session. Staff provide worthwhile activities to ensure children are learning and developing new skills. The youngest children achieve well because staff are developing their use of early years guidance, such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework. However, this is not fully effective.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning for three and four-year-olds is good. Most staff have a good understanding of the Foundation Stage curriculum. They offer support to children and are enthusiastic in their role. However, there are some missed opportunities to extend children's thinking and provide sufficient challenge for more able children in some areas of learning. All staff have attended short courses and have experience of caring for children, they gently guide children and use questioning techniques which extends their language and thinking. Staff meet

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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 with parents initially to discuss children's starting points and record the information. They share ongoing assessments to ensure they are aware of observing progress and how children are learning and developing. Planning reflects all areas of learning and ensures children are developing new skills and observations link to planning and clearly identify the next steps for children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and keen to get involved in activities. They form good relationships with staff and other children, willingly helping younger ones with tasks such as using the computer. Staff help children develop independence skills by encouraging them to try new activities and by providing challenge which leads to children's personal, social and emotional development being very good. Children are aware of the expectations of staff and behave extremely well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able speakers using complex sentences to explain and recall past events. They listen carefully and talk confidently during circle time. Children enjoy making marks and can form some recognisable images, some can also recognise some letters and their sounds. However, there are limited opportunities for children to write for a variety of purposes. Children enjoy books and participate in story telling. Children count by rote well, with more able children eager to count well beyond 10. They know the names of common shapes and use some size language in their play such as big and little. However, staff miss some opportunities to introduce children to simple methods of problem solving.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to join construction pieces together with some purpose such as, using jigsaw puzzles. They have a growing awareness of other cultures, as they celebrate festivals to help them explore and learn. Resources to support culture, ethnicity and disability are good and support planned activities and themes such as Diwali. Children's knowledge of the natural world is developed through activities such as, baking bread, making soup and observing and discussing the weather. Children enjoy moving in different ways such as climbing, running and jumping and use appropriate resources. Staff provide challenge for children to develop their large body movements. Children know most colours and have the opportunity to create and design for themselves. They know a wide repertoire of songs and rhymes and really enjoy involving others in imaginative games. Children have good access to craft activities to develop their creativity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The partnership with parents and carers is outstanding. Children are cared for by staff who work with parents to meet individual needs and ensure all children are fully included. All children and parents receive a vibrant, warm welcome from staff who are clearly sensitive to each family's circumstances. Each child is known extremely well as an individual and time is spent making sure their needs are fully met and continuity of care is offered. Parents views about their child's needs are actively sought before the child starts at the setting and on a regular basis throughout their time there. Parents receive information about the Foundation Stage and are encouraged to be involved in their children's learning. Staff ask them to contribute ideas to planning and have issued feedback questionnaires to ensure they are highly satisfied with the service provided. Staff ensure that parents know how their child is progressing and developing by regular written

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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 Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour and through acting as positive role models and using appropriate methods, such as, consistent and gentle reinforcement of rules, children's behaviour is excellent. They learn exceptional manners and to care for others actively contributing to harmony within the setting. Children gain a clear understanding of right and wrong through the consistent messages and explanation they receive from dynamic staff. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement from staff, building their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's knowledge of the local community is meticulously promoted through discussion, visitors to the group such as, the mobile library and regular innovative and imaginative outings such as visits to the farm to feed the lambs and to the farm shop to buy fruit for snack. They regularly share news about their own lives and their thoughts during circle time. Children's opinions and achievements are recognised and praised with enthusiasm by everyone in the group. Children's social, moral, cultural and spiritual development is fostered.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The staff team ensures that children's care is enhanced by the staff's understanding of the setting's comprehensive policies and procedures to protect children and promote their well-being. They have developed strong aims and values for the provision and have a clear vision for improving children's care and education. They establish good training opportunities to enhance the quality of care given to children and are committed to further developing their knowledge and understanding.

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Organisation

The organisation within the setting meets the needs of the children well. There is a good balance of indoor and outdoor activities to extend play and learning opportunities for the range of children attending the setting. Staff effectively organise time to allow the children to be cared for in small and mixed age groups, which ensures that they receive suitable levels of care appropriate to their developmental stages. The very good ratios of staff to children ensure that children receive a lot of individual attention which promotes their sense of belonging and self worth. Most required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place and is regularly reviewed.

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Organisation

Leadership and management for nursery education is good. Both manager’s commitment to their roles are bringing about strong improvements in the setting. They are committed to improving staff's knowledge to ensure they have a clear focus for future improvements for children's learning and development. Training needs are identified during appraisals and through observations made in the work place. Staff complete their own self evaluations which are discussed with the managers to maintain standards. Overall the range of children's needs are met.

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Improvements 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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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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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): • consider how rest and sleep areas can be developed • ensure that the 'Birth to three matters' framework is used effectively.

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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): • place more emphasis on how staff are effectively deployed to ensure sufficient challenge for more able children is provided • continue to monitor and evaluate planning to ensure the curriculum is effective and balanced in all areas of learning.

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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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