St Crispin's School

Woodlands Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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120326 Unique Reference Number 07 March 2007 Inspection date Julia Lynn Freemantle Inspector

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Portsmouth Road, Frimley, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 7UJ Setting Address

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E-mail

Frimley Park Hospital NHS Trust 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?

Woodlands Day Nursery was founded in 1991. It operates from purpose-built accommodation in the grounds of Frimley Park Hospital. It provides a childcare service to the employees of Frimley Park Hospital NHS Trust and the Ministry of Defence. The children are separated into age appropriate groups and there is a self-contained baby unit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 172 children on roll. This includes 38 funded children three and four-year-olds. The nursery supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who have English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery opens five days a week from 06:45-18:30.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery have 22 staff full and part-time staff. There are four members of staff work who work directly with the funded children; of these, one holds a relevant qualifications in teaching and early years. The nursery is in receipt of nursery education funding. The nursery receives support from the Early Years Partnership.

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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 learn about the importance of personal hygiene as staff follow good routines and encourage the children to be independent. For example, the children are reminded to wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day. Staff have good nappy changing routines and encourage the children to become independent in this area, they liaise with parents to decide when it is the best time for children to be toilet trained. Nappy changing areas currently allow children access to a roll of plastic aprons.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the procedures in place to deal with and record accidents. Staff inform the parents about what action has been taken. Most staff have first aid training.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise to help keep their bodies healthy. For example, all the children have times in the garden, older children enjoy running with their friends, using wheeled toys, climbing frames and playing games with the staff. Babies and younger children are taken outside and encouraged to develop their co-ordination and skills at an appropriate level for their stage of development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Older children recognise when they are thirsty and help themselves to water throughout the day, younger children and babies are offered and encouraged to drink at regular times. All children benefit from the snacks and meals provided daily, some snacks are provided by the parents. Individual children’s dietary needs are considered and alternative options are provided. Younger children are provided with meals that are suitable for their stage of weaning. Babies sleep and are fed in line with their parents' wishes. Most of the time babies are fed their bottles appropriately as a good procedure is followed, however on occasions not all are held or closely supervised while having their bottle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in an environment that is safe and secure. Staff remain vigilant at all times, unfamiliar visitors are approached and their identity is checked, visitors are asked to sign in and out of the premises. Staff have a good awareness of safety issues and work together to identify potential hazards. Staff are aware of the potential safety issues in the garden due to the vast flooding that regularly occurs when there is heavy rain fall. Staff and children work together to ensure that risk is minimised. For example, older children are able to talk about the danger of the flood water and that they must not go near it. Staff and parents are working together to ensure that this area can be made safe and to prevent it from reoccurring.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good fire procedure and all rooms have an emergency evacuation bag that is taken out during evacuation practices and daily when the children go out to play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children move freely in each area of the nursery, each room is organised effectively to allow the children to develop confidence and independence. They use the space well and have opportunities to be active and occupied.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a good range of age appropriate toys and resources that are regularly checked and cleaned. Some of the activities and toys are set up at the start of a session others

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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 are changed throughout the session to ensure that the children have sufficient challenge and learning opportunities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Older children would benefit from more opportunities to independently access writing and craft materials throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as the staff have a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children and child protection issues. The required documentation is in place and staff know the procedure to follow if they have concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the nursery; they enjoy what they do throughout the day. They settle quickly on arrival and those that are unhappy about leaving their parent or carer are supported and comforted by a member of staff. Staff are patient and understanding to the children’s needs and slowly encourage the children to join in with an activity or play with a favourite toy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show care towards each other and are secure in their relationships with the staff. This enables the children to have a sense of belonging and builds on their self esteem; staff regularly praise the children for what they have done and build on this to develop the children’s learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the relationship their parents have with the staff at the nursery, each child’s “key worker” completes a “hand over” time on arrival and departure to ensure that the children’s needs are fully met and to ensure that the parents are kept informed of their children’s day and progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play happily alone, in small groups and in larger groups. They actively occupy themselves and are fully engrossed in what they do. For example, older children “paint” with water on the outdoor playhouse, they are totally absorbed in what they do and look up, step back and admire their work. Indoors they play with bottles filled with water, different colours and textures, use shaving foam to make patterns and feel the “soil” play dough and make miniature gardens.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from staff monitoring and recording their progress, this helps them plan for the children’s next step of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children make progress as staff plan well to provide a good mix of adult led and child initiated activities. Staff adapt their questioning according to the children’s stage of development and change activities to suit their needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and independent in the nursery; staff provide a consistent routine and provide praise and encouragement. They are given time to ask questions and time to explore. They are confident speakers and join in with the story time well. However children show little use of the book area throughout their day and would benefit from this area being more welcoming. They understand that print carries meaning and have access to a range of resources that show print in different ways. For example, the children enjoy looking through holiday brochures with their friends. However the children would benefit from improved labelling on toy storage to encourage them to recognise words and become more independent in their

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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 choice. Children have opportunities to count and use number throughout their day. For example, they count the children and decide how many plates and cups they need for lunch.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn about outdoor life and the natural world through planned topic work and unplanned activities. For example, playing in the snow and talking about the photographs of the day it snowed. Children talk about the weather of the day and decide if it will snow today. Visitors to the nursery help the children to develop a greater understanding of the people who help us. For example, a visiting nurse provided the children with a role model for their play at being doctors and nurses. Children use the computer confidently and pretend to take photographs of their friends with old cameras.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff use a good range of teaching methods, they work with children independently and in small groups, children’s input is valued and built on to help them progress. Staff have realistic expectations of the children and support the children well to help them reach their individual potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and play a full part in the nursery as staff value each child as an individual who has individual needs. Children know what is expected of them due to the routine that is followed, babies benefit from following their routine from home to help them feel settled and secure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents feel valued by the staff and praise the amount of information the nursery provide about their children’s day and progress. Children are well behaved as there are clear boundaries and nursery rules. Children are encouraged to show care and consideration for others, to take turns and to say please and thank you.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s social, moral, spiritual and cultural development is fostered. They watch in wonder and amazement as a member of staff blows bubbles into the air while playing in the garden. They show joy and happiness when they talk about activities they have done in the past. Staff use discussions and activities to help them understand the similarities and differences between them and their peers. For example, they acknowledge festivals throughout the year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is good. Staff and parents work together for the good of the children, they benefit from settling in visits and a transition time when they move from room to room. Parents feel well informed about their child and the nursery and are happy with the care and education the nursery provides. They receive regular information about activities for the children and fund raising events both verbally and via notice boards and newsletters.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children settle well and are happy at the nursery, children’s care and learning is valued and enhanced by the effective organisation of the rooms, the deployment of staff and the good leadership and management of the nursery group. Staff are knowledgeable in the Foundation Stage, Birth to three matters and the outcomes for children.

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Organisation

The leadership and management is good. There is an appropriate procedure in place for the vetting and recruitment of staff to ensure that they have the qualifications, skills and experience

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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 to care for children. High importance is placed on appraisal and training to ensure that all members of staff feel fully valued and part of the nursery.

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Organisation

A good range of detailed policies and procedures are available and are implemented in the nursery to ensure that children’s health, safety and welfare is paramount at all times. There is a good complaints procedure in place, however it requires review to ensure that it is in line with changes made in October 2005.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the nursery were asked to provide opportunities to introduce letters and phonic sounds in everyday activities, and for children to be able to read familiar words. Include information in the planning of children's activities, to show how these may be adapted for children with special needs or extended for older or more able children and allow additional staff involvement in the planning and assessment within the setting. They were also asked to increase their knowledge of the Foundation Stage. Management and staff have addressed all of the recommendations to ensure that children remain safe, protected and receive appropriate care and education.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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): • ensure that all young children are held or closely supervised when having bottles of milk • ensure that the area of garden that is prone to flooding is safe for children • ensure that children do not have access to plastic aprons in the changing area

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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 • review complaints procedure to ensure that it is line with changes made by Ofsted in October 2005

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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): • review the book area to make it more welcoming to children • provide more opportunities for children to independently access a writing area throughout the day • improve the area for children to independently access craft materials • improve labelling on toy storage to encourage children to be independent

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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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