Christ Church , Streatham Church of England Primary School

Chaston Nursery School Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

100611 Unique Reference Number 04 June 2007 Inspection date Deborah Wilkinson Inspector

p.1

Chaston Nursery & Pre Preparatory School, Chaston Place, London, NW5 4JH

p.1

Setting Address

020 7482 0701/02 Telephone number Sandra@chaston.co.uk E-mail Chaston Nursery School Ltd Registered person Integrated Type of inspection Full day care Type of care

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The Chaston Nursery which was registered in 1999, operates from purpose built premises in the NW5 area of the borough of Camden and mainly serves parents living or working in the local area.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery provides 60 places for children aged between three months and five years old. Currently there are 73 children on roll who attend on a full-time or part-time basis for a variety of sessions, 19 of whom receive nursery education funding. The nursery is open five days a week from 08:00 to 18:00 and operates for 49 weeks of the year. The setting supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and those who speak English as an additional language.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There is a staff team of 17 including the manager, an administrator and the cook. There are 13 staff who work with the children, the majority of whom are suitably qualified in early years childcare, five also hold valid first aid certificates.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery receives advice and support from the local Early Years advisory teacher.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in clean and welcoming surroundings. They are well protected from the risk of infection because staff follow clear procedures and carry out effective hygiene practice. Children are encouraged to learn about the importance of hand washing, and having their own flannels and toothbrushes in the nursery helps them learn about other aspects of personal care from an early age. Children's welfare is protected by staff who act in their best interests should they become ill and there are written health policies that all staff adhere to. There are five staff members who have first aid qualifications, and any accidents are recorded and the information shared with parents.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have a freshly cooked lunch each day. The menus are varied with a vegetarian option and vegetables always included. The older children serve themselves enjoying the pasta and vegetables and some have second helpings. Children can have breakfast if they wish, they enjoy a fruit snack in the morning and tea in the afternoon. Meals and snacks are sociable times, staff sit with the children encouraging them and offer help to the younger ones. All children are able to have water to drink whenever they are thirsty. In the baby room meal times are variable depending on the needs of the children and their individual routines.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children get fresh air each day when they play in the secure outside areas. They have fun when they run, climb and manoeuvre the wheeled toys and the older ones have a daily exercise routine. Indoors, staff clear space for children to play circle games and dance.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in self contained premises in one of the four activity rooms, three on the ground floor and one upstairs. Each of the rooms has its own toilet and washing facilities. There are two separate outside areas one of which is specifically for the babies. Security is a high priority, entry into the nursery is monitored through use of the entry phone system and visitors complete the signing in and out book.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use the space with confidence and are able to play in safety and comfort because staff take good practical precautions to protect them. Regular fire drills are completed and recorded, however, the fire door between the kitchen and one of the activity rooms is wedged open for periods during the day. Children's welfare is generally safeguarded when medication is given. There are written procedures to guide staff, however these are not always adhered to.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy using a range of equipment that is safe and well maintained. The organisation of the equipment on low storage shelves ensures that is easily accessible. The extensive photographic displays are enjoyed by children and their parents and remind them of activities they have taken part in.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The welfare of children is positively safeguarded. Written child protection procedures are in place and staff understand the action they have to take if they identify any issues. Parents are made aware that staff have a responsibility to report any concerns to the local authority.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children arrive happily in the nursery, they are greeted warmly by staff who are pleased to see them and enquire about their weekend. All children benefit from the key worker system which enables them to form trusting relationships with a familiar adult and staff know the children well.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy exploring a range of play materials that offer them interesting sensory experiences, these are presented to be easily accessible and are suitable for the children's age and stage of development.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff are starting to plan specifically for younger children, using the Birth to three matters framework to support children as they grow and learn. Children’s independence and self confidence are fostered by their free access to resources and they help themselves from the easily reached shelves. All the rooms have a book area, however, not all of them provide a cosy quiet space for the children.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The overall quality of teaching and learning is good. Children participate in interesting activities and benefit from staff working with the advisory teacher which helps them make progress towards the Early Learning Goals. Using the guidance to the Foundation Stage staff plan activities that are linked to the curriculum. Children's progress is monitored and some observations are completed around focussed activities, these identify the next steps in children's learning, but do not detail how children are helped to achieve them. Staff are starting to collate portfolios or day books for each child which include the observations, photographs and samples of work.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The daily programme incorporates a range of learning opportunities for children. They explore and refine their creative skills with a variety of art resources and modelling materials when they paint, create collages and build junk models. A child sits with an adult and they talk about rainbows, the child draws one then uses the scissors to cut it out. Children contribute to group collages and their photographs are used in one display about space, which is linked to the theme, our world. Children listen to different types of music then paint what they feel, they dance, sing and play circle games and musical chairs.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children communicate well. They are able to concentrate when a member of staff explains the rules of a game, and then take turns to throw the dice. They listen to a story about travelling round the world that is linked to the current theme 'the world we live in' and enjoy looking at books independently. The named work trays, coat pegs and birthday chart all help children to recognise and value script and written language. They sing and count in different languages, however the variety and richness of languages within the nursery is not fully exploited or reflected visually. The writing area provides a variety of resources, but the provision in other areas to encourage children to write are limited.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Setting the tables for lunch helps children learn about the number of mats, cups and knives and forks they need. They count when in the circle and some children are able to include others who are out of sight in the adjoining room. They learn about under, when they crawl on the ground through the hoops and are able to space themselves out when doing their exercises. There is good selection of construction sets and one child spends a long time counting out the correct number of pegs to fit into the board.

p.4

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 Children have many opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. They cook dough to make badges and squeeze lemons and limes to make juice. They make little sandwiches and Portuguese salad which they then enjoy eating. Looking at a map of the world and a globe helps children learn that the same object can look different, they then choose a country and find it on both the flat surface and the curved one. They think about the planet they live on, how they need to look after it and what they would tell an alien that they like about it. Their understanding of other cultures and lifestyles is developing when parents visit to tell them about festivals such as Purim or Divali. Children learn about the local community when they visit the local park or Parliament Hill and visitors such as the community

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

policeman tell the children about their work when they come into the nursery.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are starting to learn about technology when they use the computer or tape recorder.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing self esteem and respect for others. They benefit from being cared for by a staff team from different backgrounds as they experience other cultures and attitudes which help promote an awareness of the community they live in. Children are valued and respected as individuals and they have opportunities to develop their self help skills when they find themselves tissues or scrape their plates after lunch.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are welcomed into the nursery and staff work closely with parents and other organisations to help the child integrate and reach their potential.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is generally good. They are starting to form friendships and one child greets another enthusiastically and gives them a hug when they arrive at the nursery. Children are learning to share and staff encourage and support them, explaining why they need to do this so everybody can use the equipment. The older children are very good at following the instructions about taking turns to crawl through the hoops and kick the ball.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. Children benefit from the friendly partnership between parents and staff. New parents are given a handbook and there is a comprehensive induction when the operational procedures are explained. Notice boards, displays and activity planners inform parents of the daily routine within the nursery. Regular meetings are held when staff discuss each child's progress, and the children's portfolios are always available to be looked at.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents of children receiving nursery education funding visit the classroom to see the activities their children enjoy. Staff have created photographic displays showing the areas of the early years curriculum and explaining how these are provided for within the programme. Parents are welcomed into the nursery to share their experiences with the children.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's spiritual, moral, social and emotional development is fostered.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are generally happy and confident at the nursery. They are cared for by staff that have been thoroughly vetted for their suitability and appropriate records are kept about the needs of each child although some lack necessary details.

p.5

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 leadership and management of the setting is good. Children benefit from the positive relationships they have with staff and the deployment of the adults throughout the nursery ensures the required ratios are maintained.

p.5

Organisation

Staff are enthusiastic, organised and support each other. There are opportunities to discuss their work at regular staff meetings and during individual appraisals. There is a commitment to develop staff's knowledge and skills through training and they attend a variety of courses, many of which relate to the Early Years Curriculum. Further support is given by the early years advisory teacher. The manager regularly attends the local cluster groups where speakers report on developments in child care, she finds these useful and shares the information with staff.

p.6

Organisation

Overall, children are happy and settled and the setting meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the following recommendations were made to help the provider develop their practice.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

To ensure parents are informed about the role of Nursery in protecting the welfare of children and that the child protection procedures include the role of Ofsted and to make the complaints procedure available in writing.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

Children benefit from the improved systems to share information with their parents. The induction procedure and check list which are gone through with parents ensure the operational policies and procedures including those for complaints and child protection are discussed and parents sign to confirm that this has happened. The documents are also available should parents want to see them. Information about Ofsted is displayed on the notice board in the lobby.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

p.6

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):

p.6

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 • ensure that the procedures with regard to completing medication forms and fire safety are adhered to at all times • develop the book corners to provide a cosy, inviting area for the children • ensure that written information about each child fully reflects their needs and provides a reference point for staff

p.6

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): • develop opportunities and provide resources to encourage children to write in all areas • reflect the richness and diversity of languages within the nursery in a visual way • develop the systems for completing observations on the children and use these and the assessments to plan the next steps in their learning

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7