Little AngelsOfsted inspection, 8 Feb 2007

Little Angels

Inspection report for early years provision

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Little Angels

EY338333 Unique Reference Number 08 February 2007 Inspection date Teresa Colburn Inspector

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Little Angels

18 Whitethorn Drive, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 5LH Setting Address

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Little Angels

01273 380067 Telephone number info@littleangelssussex.co.uk E-mail Sara Toussi Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care Type of care

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Little Angels

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?

Little Angels Nursery is a privately owned provision. It opened in 2006 and operates from three rooms in a converted premises, in a residential area in Brighton, East Sussex. A maximum of 12 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08.00 to 18.00 for 51 weeks of the year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently seven children aged from six months to under five years on roll. Children attend from a wide catchment area. The nursery is able to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities as well as children who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery employs five members of staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications and two are working towards a qualification.

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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 routinely wash their hands before eating and automatically after independently using the toilet, which helps them understand the importance of good hygiene. Nappies are changed appropriately and disposed of hygienically. Staff ensure changing mats and tables are cleaned with antibacterial spray to protect children's good health. Staff routinely wear aprons and disposable gloves when changing children's nappies and serving meals. Children, staff and parents remove their outdoor shoes on arrival, this ensures the children's play environment remains clean at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy social snack and lunchtimes. Children have their health and dietary needs met because staff keep individual records and work closely with parents. Children are provided with a range of healthy options for breakfast, mid-morning snack and afternoon high tea. For example, various cereals and toast for breakfast, fruit and vegetable crudités for snack and sandwiches, yoghurt and fruit for tea. Children are able to make choices and become independent during snack time. For example, they help lay the table, assist in cutting fruit and can request additional fruit as an alternative to the fruit provided. Children are offered freshly cooked meals, prepared by an outside catering company at lunchtime. Staff ensure the meals are varied, nutritious and cater for the children's individual dietary requirements. Menus are displayed keeping parents informed about what their children are eating. Fresh drinking water is available

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Helping children to be healthy

to all children at all times near to where they play. Staff ensure babies are fed according to their routines and have good clear procedures in place for storage and preparation of formula milk. Babies are held appropriately whilst being bottle fed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities that develop their physical skills. The outdoor play area is well-designed to ensure children have space to freely run around and room to ride bicycles. Children respond and move enthusiastically whilst listening to staff singing, and singing to musical tapes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a spacious well-organised environment which allows them to move around and play safely. Staff welcome families into the nursery; child's height coat pegs and self-registration system gives children a sense of belonging. The environment is stimulating with a good variety of child size equipment and resources; displays and photographs of children and their work help them to feel valued and at home. Children have free access to an exciting and stimulating range of toys and resources appropriate to their age and stage of development. Separate areas for different play opportunities within the nursery provide children with a range of activities and experiences. Staff have clear and effective routines in place regarding the cleaning and maintenance of the equipment and this ensures it is suitable for children's use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A visual risk assessment of the premises and outdoor play area is completed every day by staff and any dangerous hazard is made safe before children attend. The fire evacuation procedure

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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 is clearly displayed and staff have a good understanding of what to do in an emergency to protect children. All necessary precautions are in place to reduce potential hazards. For example, socket covers protect electrical points, access to the unsuitable areas is blocked by stair gates and all internal doors have been fitted with finger protectors. The premises are very secure and there are effective procedures in place to prevent unwanted visitors gaining access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff supervise children very well at all times. They have a sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, and an understanding of the procedures to follow if they had concerns about a child in their care. Parents are informed of their role and responsibility, ensuring children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Babies' care is consistent as staff follow their home routines and liaise with parents to ensure continuity of care. Babies enjoy cuddles, babbling and interactive play with consistent staff. For example, staff interact very well with newly mobile babies. They are provided with numerous resources to engage their enjoyment and interest, staff encourage babies to walk around the nursery holding staff hands, to aid their mobility. Staff recognise when upset babies are tired, they hold them appropriately whilst feeding them, rocking them and use soothing words to help them sleep. Birth to three matters is being implemented and staff use the framework to plan a range of first hand experiences. For example, children enjoy playing with natural resources, water play and feeling various textures. Babies and toddlers have free access to a varied stimulating range of resources and equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settle quickly into the nursery through good reassurance and support from staff. Regular routines and free access to a wide range of play provision and resources encourage children to make independent and free choices in their play. Staff have a good knowledge of the individual needs of children attending and offer high levels of care to promote children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are occupied and engaged in a range of free choice and adult-led activities. Staff constantly talk to children throughout the day promoting the children's language development well. For example, children ask to make a snowman outside, staff explain there may not be enough snow to make a big snowman, but they could make a small snowman. Children laugh as they touch the cold snow and attempt to make small balls with staff. Children remember under a thin layer of snow are some herbs they have planted, they carefully use garden forks to remove the snow, finding their herb plants looking sad. Children are keen to participate in a range of activities provided and enjoy good staff interaction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals and respected for who they are. Staff gather relevant information about children in order to provide appropriate care. Children are beginning to speak some everyday words in French and Spanish, as staff speak both these languages informally

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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 to children whilst playing. Labels throughout the nursery in English, French, Spanish, Italian and German aid children's recognition of letters. Children have equal access to resources and are beginning to learn about the wider world through planned topic work and have some resources that show diversity. However, the nursery is continuing to increase the resources which provide children with positive images of diversity in their daily play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The nursery has systems in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Two designated special educational needs co-ordinators have attended appropriate training and fully understand their role and responsibility. Staff work with parents and outside agencies, to help ensure the needs of the child are being met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved. They benefit from lots of praise and encouragement and from some basic ground rules which are consistent. Children are confident, keen to learn and staff encourage, praise and support children to have self-esteem and a sense of pride in their work.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive suitable information about the nursery before children start and complete suitable registration forms to ensure the staff are aware of individual needs. Parents are informed about their child's day through informal daily feedback and informative two-way written care diaries. Parents have access to information regarding the children's charter, staff, activity plans and daily menus. Parents receive informative newsletters, informing them of forthcoming themes, activities and staff training. This ensures parents are fully informed and good relationships are maintained.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a well-organised environment where they receive good adult support to help them feel secure and confident. Positive interaction with children allows for good relationships to be built and for children to settle quickly into the setting. Staff are well deployed which helps ensure all children are well supervised and safe at all times.

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Organisation

Clear recruitment and vetting procedures are in place and used to appoint and check new staff. Good team work ensures staff work well together to promote children's welfare. Staff have attended relevant training to ensure they are fully up to date with all current legislation, guidance and good practice. Staff attend regular staff meetings ensuring continuity of care. Staff are friendly, approachable and welcoming.

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Organisation

All policies and procedures are in place to promote children's wellbeing Documentation is up to date, well organised, confidential and stored appropriately. Most relevant consents are obtained prior to children commencing, however parental written consent to seek any necessary emergency advice or treatment is not fully in place, and therefore poses a slight risk to children. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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

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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

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): • continue to ensure children have access to a broad range of resources and activities which reflect diversity • ensure all parental written consents are in place, in respect of permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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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