Oak Hill Community Nursery

Oak Hill Community Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339760 Unique Reference Number 30 May 2007 Inspection date Christine Lynne Hodge Inspector

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29 Wallbutton Road, London, SE4 2NX Setting Address

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07758 124 282 Telephone number jeffsmith@megevrine.com E-mail Oak Hill Community Nursery Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care Type of care

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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?

Oak Hill Community Nursery has been registered since October 2006. The nursery operates from a purpose built building and is part of the Hatcham Oak Children's Centre services and includes a baby room with separate sleep rooms, milk kitchen and changing room and two group rooms for children aged two to three years and three to five years. It is located in the Brockley area of the London Borough of Lewisham.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery is open 51 weeks of the year from 08.00 to 18.00, Monday to Friday and serves families from the local community and surrounding areas. A maximum of 55 children may attend the nursery at any one time. There are currently 44 children on roll. The staff team of 17 is comprised of a manager and deputy both of whom hold a level 3 qualification, six level 3 room staff, two level 2 room staff and seven trainees studying for their level 2 or 3 qualification in childcare. The nursery supports children who have special educational needs and those who speak English as an additional language. The nursery receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and Sure Start but does not currently receive funding to provide nursery education.

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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's health is well promoted throughout the nursery. A comprehensive health and safety policy ensures that staff are familiar with and comply with good practice to prevent the spread of infection. For example, anti-bacterial spray is used for cleaning table, chairs and surfaces. Different coloured clothes are provided for specific areas to prevent cross contamination. Staff implement effective nappy changing routines by using disposable gloves and aprons and ensuring the nappy changing mat is cleaned after each nappy change. Children are learning about good personal hygiene through daily routines such as washing their hands before mealtimes and after using the toilet and cleaning their teeth after meal times. The premises are clean and well maintained, although the carpet area in the baby room is looking rather grubby. Until the carpet can be cleaned, staff are placing rugs and throws on the floor for

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Helping children to be healthy

babies to sit and lay on, to protect them from germs. The effective sick child policy ensures that children who are unwell are cared for at home in order to prevent cross infection. Suitable medication and accident procedures and records are in place. A high number of staff hold a first aid qualification ensuring that children can be given appropriate care in the event of an accident occurring.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies' emotional development is supported by caring staff. Younger babies follow their individual routines for sleeping, eating and playing. A large wooden activity gym in the baby room provides good opportunities for babies to develop their physical skills. Children benefit from daily fresh air and exercise in the well equipped garden where they promote their large motor skills by running around, riding on bikes and scooters and throwing and catching balls, well supported by staff. Children have access to a good range of resources such as scissors, pencils, paintbrushes, puzzles and various construction activities to help develop their fine motor skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables which are purchased from the local green grocer. They enjoy varied, well presented, nutritious meals, freshly prepared and cooked by the nursery chef. A vegetarian option is available and meals comply with all special dietary requirements which are well documented to ensure that children remain healthy. Menus are displayed for parents and include a separate menu for babies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children can play and relax in a safe, warm and welcoming environment. The risk of accidental injury is minimised due to the well designed, newly built premises and outdoor play area. Group rooms are well organised and allow children to move around freely and safely. The setting has good security systems in place to prevent uninvited visitors from entering the premises without permission and to prevent children from leaving the premises unsupervised. Attendance registers are appropriately recorded with children's times of arrival and departure. Regular risk assessments and fire drills contribute to the safety and welfare of the children. The nursery has good procedures in place to ensure children are kept safe whilst sleeping.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have safe and easy access to an excellent range of good quality play resources which are well organised in child height furniture to encourage their independence. Tables, chairs and furniture in all group rooms meet the needs of the children. However, in the baby room

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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 there are no adult size nursing chairs to allow staff to sit comfortably to bottle feed and nurse younger babies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected. The manager who is the child protection co-ordinator ensures that policies and procedures are up to date and that staff understand their role and responsibility for safeguarding children. She has completed the Safeguarding Children training which all staff will be attending during the next few months. The nursery has rigorous procedures in place to ensure that staff are appropriately vetted and are suitable to work with children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy confident and thoroughly enjoy their time spent at the nursery. The staff team provide an excellent range of activities and play opportunities to develop children's social, emotional, physical and intellectual capabilities. They have a good understanding of the Birth to three matter framework and the Foundation Stage and use them to plan a broad range of stimulating experiences for children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies settle well because staff work with parents to ensure they follow their home routines and continue to share information about daily routines in daily record books. Babies and toddlers receive lots of attention and cuddles from very caring staff who sit on the floor with them to join in their play. For example, reading stories, building, singing songs and playing in the home corner. They use a very good selection of toys and activities to encourage the development of early communication skills. Toddlers enjoy messy activities such as sand, water and painting and have great fun developing their physical skills using the large wooden activity gym and playing in the garden. Younger babies sleep peacefully in separate sleep rooms away from the hubble and bubble of the play room.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The older children play happily together and are confident in making independent choices from an excellent range of indoor and outdoor resources in a stimulating child centred environment. Both group rooms are set out with designated areas for quiet activities, construction, the computer, creative play and role play. If they wish children have the freedom to move between the two rooms. This is especially helpful when children are preparing to move up in age group. Children have very good opportunities for messy and creative play where they can explore and experiment with resources such as sand, play dough, water and paint. Staff use activities and nursery routines to help children to learn colours, numbers and shapes. Children enjoy very good levels of support and adult interaction but are also given many opportunities to promote their independence and to develop their self help skills. For example, at snack children are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encouraged to butter their own crackers, cut up fruit and wash up their own cups and plates. Older children help to set the table by counting how many knives and forks they need for the amount of children present and dish up their own meals at lunch time which is promoted as a nice social occasion. Small groups of children enjoy time playing in the sensory room. Children relish their time spent in the well equipped garden where they can develop their physical skills by running around and riding on bikes up and down the slopes, playing in the large sandpit or extending their imaginations in the outdoor role play area.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children and families are welcomed into the nursery. There is a very good mix of children and staff from different cultural and ethnic background including a newly appointed male member of staff. Children are learning about the wider world through topics which include the celebration of festivals such as Diwali and the Chinese New Year, posters and pictures displayed around the nursery and positive image play resources which include dolls, books, puzzles and role play resources. Children's individual needs are extremely well met. Parents are asked to complete a comprehensive child information form when children first start at the nursery to ensure staff have sufficient information to meet their individual needs. The nursery has good systems in place to ensure that all staff are aware of children's special dietary requirements including information about the allergy, reaction and action to take. Children with learning

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Helping children make a positive contribution

difficulties and disabilities are well supported within the nursery. The experienced Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) has attended lots of training and works with parents and other agencies to assess children and put into place Individual Educational Plans into place.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour and act as good role models. They are kind and caring and treat children with respect offering lots of praise and encouragement to foster their self esteem. This results in children being confident, polite and well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Excellent relationships with parents contribute to children's care and well-being. The nursery operates an open door policy where by parents can talk to the managers and staff at any time. A very effective settling in policy helps to ensure that children and parents can separate with as little upset as possible. Parents are provided with comprehensive information about the nursery including a full set of policies and procedures. They are kept very well informed about their children's day and progress in daily liaison books and by talking to their child's keyworker. Regular news letters, parent information boards and display boards ensure that parents are kept up-to-date with events, nursery changes, menus, the Birth to three matters framework and the Foundation Stage. Parents are invited to open evenings where they can discuss their child's progress and development and to quarterly parent/carer staff meetings.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The nursery manager and her deputy demonstrate a good understanding of the National Standards and of their ability to meet them by providing good quality childcare and acting as good role models to the staff. Children benefit from an enthusiastic, committed, staff team who continue to attend further training in order to keep their child care knowledge up-to-date. Rigorous recruitment procedures ensure that all adults working in the nursery are suitable to do so.

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Organisation

Staff work well as a team to provide children with a warm, caring and stimulating environment where they can grow and develop to their full potential. Children enjoy good adult support. Play space and resources are well organised so that children can play safely and make independent choices.

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Organisation

A comprehensive operational plan containing a full set of polices and procedures reflects the practice observed and promotes the care and well-being of children. All necessary documentation and records are in place and contribute to the safe management and effective running of the nursery. Records are confidentially maintained and shared with parents as required.

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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 The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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): • ensure that the carpet area in the baby room is maintained in a clean hygienic condition • provide suitable furniture for staff to sit on when feeding and nursing young babies

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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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