Tower House School

Next Step Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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113612 Unique Reference Number 07 March 2007 Inspection date Elaine Simmons Inspector

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Church Street, Cuckfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 5JZ Setting Address

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01444 455233 Telephone number janetbeales@csma-netlinki.co.uk E-mail Janet Beales Registered person Integrated 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 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 satisfactory. 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 outstanding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Next Step Nursery was established in 1990 and opened in its current location in 1993. It operates from self-contained premises within the former village school in the centre of Cuckfield, West Sussex and serves the village and surrounding area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children start at the nursery in the term in which they reach three years of age. There are currently 50 children on roll. This includes 45 funded three and four year olds. The nursery is experienced in supporting children with special educational needs. There are currently seven funded children present, who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery opens Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 09:15 to 12:15 and 12:25 to 15:30. All day sessions are from 09:15 to 15:30. Children may attend either full time or part time sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A team of six qualified early years practitioners work with the children. Staff qualifications include BA Early Years Education, NNEB, NVQ Level 3 Early Years Care and Education and BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies. All staff have valid first aid certificates and have access to further training. A further two qualified early years staff provide emergency cover for staff

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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 absence. The nursery also has Early Years Professional Status which was awarded in February 2007.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Staff adopt traditional early years teaching methods, with particular emphasis placed on learning through play and exploration. Full use is made of the local environment and the nursery allotment and orchard. Children participate in nature walks, gardening and environmental activities on a daily basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from the staff's thorough hygiene procedures. They ensure tables are thoroughly cleaned before children sit down to eat or drink. They generally ensure children wash their hands before eating and supervise them washing their hands after toileting. Children are given good opportunities to learn about being healthy through themes and projects they undertake arranged by the staff as part of the curriculum.

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Helping children to be healthy

The nursery has a good sickness policy and procedures for recording accidents; and the administration of medication. However, not all parents sign records to acknowledge accidents or medication administered and this means children's well-being is not fully safeguarded.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff provide good opportunities to enable children to use their physical skills. They are taken for regular walks to the orchard and nursery allotment. The children also benefit from using the climbing frame in the nursery and from opportunities to bring their bikes to nursery for 'Bike Week'. They have regular musical movement sessions and play team ball games with staff support. As a consequence children's physical health is extremely well supported.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered healthy and nutritious snacks and drinks. They are able to access drinks independently from a jug of water with suitable beakers that are available in the nursery. The children also help to grow soft fruits and vegetables on the nursery allotment and bring them back into the setting to taste, this helps to promote healthy eating. Parents provide children with packed lunches and the nursery provide very clear guide lines as to what parents should provide to ensure children with allergies to certain foods are suitably protected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff give children stickers to reward them when they eat the fruit parents have provided and as a consequence this encourages children to eat healthily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The staff provide a welcoming environment, where children feel secure and happy. The hall is very well maintained and displays of the children's colourful art work helps to make it bright and cheerful. The children have access to an ample range of interesting toys and extremely good, well thought out resources that they can independently access themselves. The toys and resources are stored in shelved units that are placed around the room. The individual units store equipment that covers particular areas of learning and provide children with challenge and enjoyment; and also helps to promote their learning in all areas. Staff make sure all the equipment is clean and safe for the children to use.

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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 Good procedures are in place for the quick evacuation of the building. The staff ensure children have regular opportunities to undertake fire drills and this helps to maintain their safety. Children are also kept safe by the clear security procedures adopted by the staff. Doors are kept locked and staff monitor visitors to the nursery appropriately. Children are taken for regular walks with staff, who use a walking rope, which children hold onto. The staff place themselves at strategic points to enable them to supervise the children successfully they are vigilant, and continually count the children to make sure they are all accounted for. The staff further protect the children by their clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and their knowledge and understanding of all child protection requirements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children really enjoy the activities the staff plan and arrange for them. The younger children benefit from having a designated area, within the main hall; where they can stay and play with close staff supervision until they feel confident to move into the main area. They have good opportunities to use their creative skills taking part in painting activities and cutting out shapes from play dough using rolling pins and various cutters. They use their imagination when playing with puppets and small world play resources. The children with staff support join in the story time and music and movement sessions with the older children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children respond extremely well to staff going to them for hugs, cuddles and reassurance. Children enjoy outings and walks within the immediate local area of the nursery. Where they can observe natural things and discuss them as they walk with the staff. They have lots of varied opportunities to learn through play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. All staff are qualified and are experienced early years practitioners. They thoroughly plan the days activities to ensure they will meet the early learning goals for the Foundation Stage. A daily diary is kept where they evaluate the activities undertaken and record the children's reactions. Staff have an extremely good understanding of how children develop and learn. Clear and concise observations made by staff help them to plan future activities that will support children's learning successfully; and provide them with interesting experiences that offer them challenge. As a consequence children are happy and confident, they cooperate with each other and willingly help each other to complete tasks. They are encouraged to become independent as they dress themselves and go to the toilet alone.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children really enjoy listening to stories, poems and rhymes individually, or in small and large groups. They respond appropriately and with interest as staff help them to learn letters sounds through songs and actions. The children have lots of opportunities to choose the songs and say the rhymes they prefer. Staff reinforce stories by asking children questions about what they have heard. The children have very good opportunities to write and draw in a well resourced writing area. They have a lower case alphabet sheet to assist them to write their names. Staff sit and support children helping them to hold the pencil correctly and giving them praise and encouragement when they are able to find the letters in their name and form them correctly. The nursery has lots of bright and cheerful posters around the room that are suitably labelled. Staff show how they value the children's creative work as it is beautifully displayed around the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

room with their names put prominently next to their own artistic creation. This enables children to see the written word used effectively.

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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 Everyday activities provide children with fruitful opportunities to use mathematical calculations for a purpose. For example, children count the number of names under the drinks chart and put the number value next to it. They then add up the number of drinks required and check it is correct by counting the number of children attending. When the sums do not add up and one name too many is on the drinks chart the children help to solve the problem. A computer is available for the children to use independently or with staff support. They have a special keyboard with large letters and numbers on it and a child sized mouse to move the cursor around the screen. The children use the computer to play suitable educational games that provide good opportunities to develop their understanding of numbers and to recognise and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The nursery has an allotment and orchard. The children are taken regularly to help dig the soil and plant flowers and vegetables. They really enjoy looking at worms and ants they find as they dig excitedly and with enthusiasm. The staff discuss with them how plants grow and help them understand about the natural world around them. This supports children's understanding of how to value and care for everyday living things; provides them with first hand knowledge of growing things and as a consequence promotes a healthy lifestyle. Children also benefit from hearing about their own and other cultures and religious festivals, as the staff plan activities and celebrate these throughout the school year.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff use a clapping rhythm to gain children's attention, they use music after lunch to encourage children to listen, relax and have a period of quiet. Planned musical movement sessions provide children with good opportunities to use their bodies to move in time to music imaginatively. Their physical development is further promoted as they use the climbing frame in the nursery; and as they walk to and from the orchard and allotment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. The staff have a innovative understanding of providing equality of opportunity for the children. They have a comprehensive range of toys and books that reflect the diversity of the modern world around them. Activities are also planned by staff to ensure children have lots of opportunities to learn about other life styles and beliefs. The staff currently support children who have English as an additional language and children with disabilities. The staff work closely with parents and other professionals. They also ensure activities are accessible to all children and meet children's individual needs very effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. Staff give children clear explanations and clearly give the reasons for any request they may make, ensuring the children understand why certain behaviour is not acceptable. They encourage children to say sorry when they have upset or hurt another child which actively helps them understand right from wrong. Staff use lots of positive behaviour management techniques and give children constant praise and encouragement at all times.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is outstanding. Parents are given substantial information. For example, parent receive an informative prospectus that clearly states nursery policies and procedures; most parents receive updated information via E mail, and through newsletters and displays on the nursery notice board. There are regular opportunities for parents to talk to staff on an informal basis at coffee mornings and at regular open evenings when the Foundation Stage of education is explained. Staff build friendly professional relationships with parents and

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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 exchange information about the children at the start and end of the sessions to ensure children receive appropriate care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The nursery is very well organised, staff form a committed and cohesive team. This contributes towards the children being happy, safe and secure. Staff are well deployed and provide excellent supervision. They interact with the children continuously, offering support as required and enabling the children to enjoy their time at nursery; to learn and develop gainfully in a warm and friendly environment.

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Organisation

There are ample policies and procedures in place and generally all documentation is well organised. However, one policy and procedure requires expanding to meet current regulations. Although, staff clearly know and understand what to do if a child is lost, there is no written procedure for them to follow. As a consequence, the children's welfare is not fully safeguarded. Daily attendance registers are well maintained and show which children and staff are attending. Staff ensure the adult to child ratios are met at all times to successfully maintain children's safety.

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Organisation

Leadership and management is outstanding. Excellent recruitment and vetting procedures contribute towards the children's safety and protection. Staff have regular appraisals and this enables them to plan any future training needs successfully. They have regular meetings to discuss the planning of the curriculum and any concerns they may have about the children. The policies and procedures are updated to meet current needs. Staff are encouraged by the provider to attend seminars that interest them and to cascade information back to the staff team; the setting subscribes to several child care publications, which are available for all staff to read; and this actively enables them to keep up to date with current child care practice; and to support the care and learning of the children. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous Child Care inspection the nursery agreed to; ensure children's records include up-to-date information on children's immunisation record.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The registration form now shows up-to-date information on children's immunisation and this enables the staff to protect children's well-being satisfactorily.

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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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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 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 satisfactory. 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 outstanding.

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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 children always wash their hands before eating; and ensure parents sign records to acknowledge accidents and medication administered. • expand the policy 'Safety Precautions for Outside Excursions' to include a clear procedure in case a child is lost.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of nursery education are outstanding.

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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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