Wingate Community Childcare Ltd

Wingate Community Childcare LTD

Inspection report for early years provision

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Wingate Community Childcare LTD

EY336563 Unique Reference Number 26 February 2007 Inspection date Andrea, Jane Lockyer Inspector

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Wingate Community Childcare LTD

Wingate & Station Town Family Centre, Partridge Terrace, Wingate, County Durham, TS28 5BD

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E-mail

Wingate Community Childcare LTD Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care, Out of School 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

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?

Wingate Community Childcare Ltd is a full day care facility and has been registered since August 2006. The provider is a company limited by guarantee. The provision is located within Wingate Children's Centre which has been purpose built. Public transport systems and local amenities are within walking distance. Children are based in two core rooms and share a piazza between both. Both core rooms have their own adjacent outdoor play space. Children may also access the nursery, other associated facilities within the family centre and the nursery garden. It serves the needs of children from the local community and surrounding areas. The facility provides full day care for a maximum of 30 children, aged under five years. There are currently 72 children on roll who attend either full or part time. There are no children who speak English as an additional language or who have learning difficulties or disabilities. The setting is open each

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

weekday between 08.00 and 18.00 for 50 weeks of the year. There are nine members of staff who work directly with the children, eight of whom are qualified from NVQ Level 2 to NVQ Level 4. The setting receives support from a link teacher and from the Early Years Development and Childcare 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. High standards of hygiene are consistently maintained throughout the premises. Staff effectively implement a comprehensive range of policies and procedures, which protect children from cross infection and illness and ensure that their individual health needs are met. Children are developing a good understanding of the importance of hygiene and personal care. Older children independently manage their own personal health care and hygiene very well, for example, as they wash their hands after visiting the toilet, before handling food, after art and craft activities and take a rest after physical activity. Younger children are supported well by staff who help them towards independence by giving just sufficient help, such as encouraging them to wash and dry their own hands. Activities, such as helping to clean the floor, wipe tables, wash toys and discussions about the need to wear hats and coats in cold weather increase children's

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Helping children to be healthy

awareness of how to maintain their own health needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are thoroughly discussed with parents. Any special requirements are fully recorded and observed by staff. Children are able to make independent choices from the wide variety of healthy well balanced meals and snacks available, all of which are made using fresh produce, which helps them to learn about healthy eating principles and encourages them to try a variety of different tastes and textures. Children enjoy taking part in interesting activities which help them to develop a good understanding of the benefits of a healthy diet, such as making fresh fruit smoothies, buying fresh produce and ingredients from local shops, helping to make their own snacks, making choices about which fruit they would like, and recently selecting their own fillings for pancakes. In-depth discussions with parents and comprehensive records ensure that babies are provided with the appropriate feeds according

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of well planned and spontaneous activities, which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor and indoor activities which help them to develop increasing control of their bodies and enjoy being active, such as constructing their own bridge from crates and planks to balance on, climbing up and down ladders on the wooden play house, using the water pump to catch water in buckets, planting flowers, throwing and catching different sized balls, playing in the water and sand and joining in with action rhymes and games. Strong emphasis is placed on learning in the outdoor environment and all children are able to experience a wide variety of activities outside which they have independent access to. All children are able to rest according to their individual needs. Babies and younger children's sleep routines are discussed with parents and observed by staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Children's indoor and outdoor play areas are designed imaginatively and creatively using neutral colour schemes and natural materials creating a relaxing, stimulating and calming learning environment. Space is organised

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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 exceptionally well allowing all children to have independent access to a comprehensive range of good quality toys. equipment and furniture both in and out of the premises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safety procedures and risk assessments are effectively carried out by staff, within the provision and on outings. These ensure that children are able to move around freely, safely and independently. Staff give high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe both in and out of the premises, and effectively achieve a good balance between freedom and setting safe limits, for example, they give children gentle reminders why they must not throw sand, how to use outdoor climbing equipment safely and to be aware of their own and others space. Children are developing a good awareness of danger and are becoming knowledgeable about how to protect themselves from harm. For example, they take part in fire drills, learn to cross roads safely when on outings, sweep up sand and help to tidy away toys so as not to fall over. Activities and discussions, such as dressing up as fire-fighters and talking

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

about the dangers of fireworks help children to gain an understanding about how to keep themselves safe throughout their daily lives.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective policies and procedures implemented by staff ensure that children are well protected from possible abuse and neglect. All staff have a good understanding of the procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board's guidelines and are aware of their roles and responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the childcare provision. They enjoy affectionate, sensitive and caring relationships with staff who know them well and inspire them with their own enthusiasm. This means that children are developing high levels of self-esteem, confidence and trust. They engage eagerly in a wide range of stimulating and enjoyable activities, such as exploring natural objects in treasure baskets, creating collages and designs using a variety of different textured materials, painting on fixed boards outside using a mixture of paint and sand, and exploring their senses by tasting, touching and smelling ingredients when making cakes and biscuits.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities and themes are planned in advance and are well thought out and take account of children's special interests. They are purposeful and provide all children with good levels of challenge, appropriate to their age and stage of development. Activities cover all areas of learning and are linked to the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Detailed records of children's progress are used in conjunction with planning, to plan the next steps in individual children's learning. This means, that children are involved in a broad range of interesting experiences that promote and enhance their individual development and learning skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's independence and confidence are promoted very well through a variety of opportunities. They are able to move around freely, taking part in planned activities or activities of their own choosing. They select freely from very well organised resources and are skilfully guided by staff to extend their own learning.

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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 good. Children access a good range of activities and resources which increase their awareness of diversity, for example, celebrating Chinese New Year and having daily access to toys that reflect positive images of race, culture and gender. However, there are limited resources that increase children's awareness of people with learning difficulties and disabilities. Children have good opportunities to learn about their local community and environment through well planned outings to places of interest, such as the local greengrocers, café, parks, pet shop, and allotments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff have realistic expectations of children's behaviour. They implement a range of very good strategies to promote positive behaviour that help children to understand right from wrong. Children respond positively to meaningful praise and sensitive encouragement, which contributes to their social skills, confidence and self-esteem. They willingly help clean up, share activities and games, and help one another with activities and personal care, for example, older children happily help younger children to put on hats, coats and shoes. They show care and concern for each other and behave extremely well. Children are actively encouraged to share their views and opinions and make their own choices. This helps them take responsibility for themselves and others and promotes a strong sense of self and belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from positive relationships between staff and parents. Good verbal and written communication ensures that children's individual ongoing needs are met extremely well. Policies, procedures, newsletters, welcome pack, care plans, daily diaries, progress files and a notice-board ensure that parents are kept well-informed of all aspects of the childcare practice, and about the care, welfare and progress of their children. However, children's individual progress files are not stored appropriately to maintain confidentiality. Staff actively seek the views of parents and provide them with questionnaires regarding their thoughts on the provision and the care of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The exceptionally well-organised environment and good daily routines ensure that children are extremely happy and self-assured. Excellent opportunities are made for all children to be involved in free play, social interaction, eating, resting, physical activity and outings. This means that children are very confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning.

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Organisation

Staff work extremely well together; good organisation, planning and communication between all ensures that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, which contributes to the smooth running of the provision and provides children with stability and a sense of security. Robust procedures for the recruitment, induction, appraisal and ongoing training of staff ensure that they are skilled, knowledgeable and qualified. Staff are committed, enthusiastic and highly motivated, they continually evaluate their practice, which enhances the care and development of all children.

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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 A range of comprehensive policies and procedures are in place. They are implemented effectively, to promote the care, welfare and learning of children, and underpin the good quality childcare. Regular reviews are held to update all policies and procedures which ensure that staff and parents are kept informed of new legislation. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the 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 children's individual progress files are stored appropriately to maintain confidentiality • provide a range of resources that increase children's awareness of people with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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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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