Bright Stars Nursery

Bright Stars Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Bright Stars Nursery

EY331400 Unique Reference Number 26 January 2007 Inspection date Sharon Greener Inspector

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Bright Stars Nursery

Hudson Road Primary School, Villiers Street South, SUNDERLAND, SR1 2AH

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Setting Address

0191 5537675 Telephone number karen.field@sunderland.schools.gov.uk E-mail Hudson Road Primary School Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care Type of care

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Setting Address

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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Bright Stars Nursery opened in 2006 and is part of the service provided under the Children Centre remit. The nursery is managed by the Hudson Road Primary School governing body. It operates from purpose built premises within the grounds of Hudson Road Primary School. The school is situated in the residential area of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. The nursery is open for 51 weeks of the year, each weekday Monday to Thursday from 07.30 to 18.00 and Friday from 7.30 until 17.30. A maximum of 30 children may attend the nursery at any one time. All children share access to a fully enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 24 children aged from seven months to under five years on roll. The nursery serves the local community and wider area. The nursery currently supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery employs five staff members. All staff hold an early years qualification. One staff member is currently working towards a Level 3 qualification. The setting receives support from the Local Authority.

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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 satisfactory. The premises is very clean and very well maintained to ensure a healthy environment is provided for the children. Two staff are trained in first aid and hold valid certificates. Staff have a satisfactory understanding of the health policies and procedures, such as those relating to the care of a sick child, nappy changing and the administration of medication. Staff implement these procedure well to help to minimise the risk of cross-infection and safeguard children's welfare. Children benefit from regular hygiene routines and the positive role models staff provide. For example, staff keep tables and work surfaces clean and ensure that children hand wash at appropriate times. This helps children to develop an awareness of the need to adopt good hygiene practices, to promote and protect their health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Two staff have completed training in respect of basic food and hygiene. At present, parents provide packed meals for the children and the nursery provides snacks and drinks as required throughout the day. The nursery promotes healthy eating, a typical snack consists of a variety of fresh fruit. Snack menus are displayed for the benefit of parents. Staff discuss children's individual dietary needs with respective parents as part of the admission procedure and relevant information is recorded. Staff work closely with parents to ensure that the dietary needs of children are well met and to ensure that the individual feeding routines of babies are maintained. All parents are given written information each day about what children have eaten and drank. This helps promote and preserve children's well-being. Meal times are social occasions when staff and children sit together. Staff use meal times to promote good table manners and to

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Helping children to be healthy

The children benefit from exercise and physical play opportunities each day. They have access to a suitable selection of activities and resources to help promote and develop their physical skills. The outdoor play area is directly accessible from the playroom. The door leading into the outdoor play area is left ajar, weather permitting to allow children to access the area and resources freely. Part of the outdoor play area is under cover and can be screened off using roller shutters to provide children with a feeling of outdoor space even during adverse weather conditions. Children are well supported and sufficiently challenged by staff and are encouraged to test their physical capabilities within a safe environment. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs. This helps to promote and preserve their welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Staff ensure that the nursery is well secured and that anyone wishing to gain entry is suitably identified before gaining access to the nursery. All visitors must sign the visitors log and are not allowed unsupervised contact with the children. The play areas are well laid out, equipment and resources are very clean and in good order. Children are able to move freely and independently both indoors and outdoors within the constraints of safety whilst under the close supervision of staff. Staff show a satisfactory understanding of safety policies and procedures, such as the action to be taken should the nursery need to be evacuated. Suitable

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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 safety equipment is in place. Staff are well deployed and generally take appropriate steps to minimise or remove risks to the children. Staff conduct a visual risk assessments prior to children's arrival each day and this process is ongoing throughout the day. This helps staff to ensure that the facilities and resources remain suitable for use by the children. However, the kitchen door was left ajar. This does not support safety procedures or help ensure children's safety at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff help the children to develop an awareness of the need to preserve their own safety and that of others, through giving children simple explanations and reminders of the ground rules. Children show an emerging understanding of the need to keep safe. This is shown in the way that they use large pieces of play equipment safely and co-operatively. Children are encouraged by staff to pick discarded toys up from the floor, and staff explain that this helps to prevent accidents or injuries. Children respond well to the positive role modelling of the staff. Staff have a satisfactory understanding of policies and procedures for example, the lost or uncollected child and accidents policies. Several staff have completed child protection training. All staff are sufficiently aware of their role and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding children and are able to reiterate the procedure to be followed should they have a concern about a child's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

welfare. This helps protect children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle very well and are at ease in the company of the staff. They are cared for in a spacious, welcoming and child friendly environment. A satisfactory variety of activities and resources are made easily accessible to the children. This enables them to self-select toys according to their age and ability. Children are interested in the resources and play opportunities available and show growing confidence in the way that they make choices about their activities. For example, during large group time, children enjoy choosing their favourite songs to sing and do so with great enthusiasm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate well to their peers and those less familiar to them and build close, warm relationships with staff. This is shown in the way that they readily approach staff for cuddles and in their willingness to initiate conversation and ask questions. Children's communication skills are well nurtured by staff that listen closely to what children have to say, respond accordingly and praise children readily. All children are encouraged to communicate, whether through spoken words, gestures or facial expressions. For example, a child confidently asked a staff member for some sticky-tack so that he could hang his picture on the playroom wall. The staff member responded by warmly praising the child's art work and helped him to find a suitable place to display his picture. This helps to build children's self-esteem and has a positive impact on children's development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff show sufficient knowledge and understanding of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum guidance, which they use suitably well to support their practice. All staff regularly monitor and record information about children's developmental progress to help them to shape and inform future planning. This helps staff to plan an appropriate range of activities and play opportunities, to ensure that children's learning and development is well supported.

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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 satisfactory. Staff help children to settle well by tailoring their admission to the nursery according to their individual needs. For example, all children are able to rest or sleep as they wish and babies' individual feeding routines are maintained. All children have easy access to a satisfactory variety of resources and activities. Their independence skills are developing well as appropriate to their age or ability. Children show a positive attitude towards others and interact warmly with staff and peers. This is shown in the way that they take turns and share toys readily. For example, when playing with dough children willingly share tools and accessories. Staff have a good understanding of suitable strategies for managing children's behaviour. Children's behaviour is good. They respond well to staff and are beginning to show an understanding of right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Appropriate procedures are in place to support children with learning difficulties and disabilities. Staff show sufficient awareness in these areas and some staff have previous experience of caring for children with such needs. A satisfactory selection of resources to aid in the promotion of equal opportunity are provided. This helps to raise children's awareness of diversity. Children have not been taken on any outings to date. This does not help to develop children's awareness of the local environment and the wider world. Staff recognise the importance of working in harmony with parents to ensure that children's needs are well met. Parents receive written information about the settings and the policies and procedures in place. Copies of these and other relevant information such as the registration certificate are made readily available to parents. Information about the activity plans for children under three, the daily routine and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the 'Birth to three matters' framework is displayed for the benefit of parents. Respective parents have access to their child's records, which includes information about their child's developmental progress. All parents receive daily written and verbal feedback from staff about their child's day and general events. Parents are encouraged to keep staff informed of any pertinent information that may impact upon the care or progress of their child. This enables staff to work in partnership with parents and in keeping with their wishes, so as to meet children's needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides. The majority of the required policies, procedures and record keeping systems are in place and are well organised and presented. Staff show a satisfactory understanding of these. However, an accurate record of children's attendance is not maintained at all times and a method of recording information about activities planned for children over three years has not been fully implemented. This does not effectively support operational procedures. Staff make suitable use of the space and resources available and they have a good enough understanding of child development. This underpins their practice and ensures that children's needs are well met.

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Organisation

Staff are well supported. This is demonstrated through the structured induction process, regular team meetings, individual supervision and appraisal sessions and their access to relevant training to support and further develop their practice. One staff member is currently working towards a higher qualification. Staff are well deployed and the manager spends time working alongside

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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 staff each day and has an 'open door' style of management. Staff work successfully together as a team and their morale is good.

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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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that the kitchen is inaccessible to children at all times • ensure that a method of recording information about the planned activities provided for children over three years is fully implemented and that the information is shared with parents • ensure that an accurate record of children's attendance is kept at all times.

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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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