South Essex College of Further and Higher Education

Blueberry Nursery Early Learning Organisation Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

130672 Unique Reference Number 07 June 2007 Inspection date Fler Wright Inspector

p.1

5 Davigdor Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 1QB Setting Address

p.1

01273 733 799 Telephone number blueberry@tesco.net E-mail Blueberry Nursery Early Learning Organisation Ltd Registered person Integrated Type of inspection Full day care Type of care

p.1

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 outstanding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Blueberry Nursery first opened in 1994. The nursery is privately owned and is managed by a small limited company made up of a management committee. It is situated in a converted house in Hove, East Sussex. Children have access to a secure outdoor play area. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions run from 08:00 to 18:00.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery is registered to care for 64 children at any one time and there are currently 120 children aged from 18 months to under five years on roll. Of these, 82 receive funding for nursery education. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery offer support to children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and to those children who speak English as an additional language.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery employs a total of 17 staff, all of whom hold at least a level three qualification in child care.

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. Extremely well established hygiene routines and clear explanations help to ensure children have a secure understanding of the importance of washing their hands to help maintain good health. They are very used to the routine, and older children confidently wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day without supervision, as the routines are instilled from an early age. The environment is clean and tidy and children help to maintain this during the day by helping to tidy away to the tidy up music at the end of every session. There are good procedures in place during nappy changes to help ensure the risk of cross contamination is minimised. The sick child policy covers all contagious diseases and exclusion periods, and any incidents of illnesses such as chicken pox are well advertised, helping to ensure parents are fully informed of the risks involved. Children also benefit from visits by the dentist. They learn about oral

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

hygiene and know to wash their mouths out with water after they eat to prevent the acid building up in their mouths. All staff have a qualification in first aid, helping to protect the children in the event of a medical emergency.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to a nutritious breakfast such as fruit and cereal and there are fruit bowls in each room to help ensure children's dietary needs are met. The vast majority of foods are organic. Snack is freely available early morning ensuring that children are able to decide for themselves when they are hungry and want something to eat. Lunch times are generally well organised to help ensure children gain the most from the experiences. Each child has their own place mat with their photograph, name and any dietary requirements listed. This helps to ensure their dietary needs are met and learning is further encouraged. Drinks are available at all times from water coolers in each room. Children as young as two years are able to use them confidently, ensuring they are well hydrated and they can decide for themselves when they are thirsty.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an excellent range of activities that help to develop their physical skills. They have daily access to a very well resourced garden with a wealth of opportunities for them to develop physically. They go out to play more than once a day helping to ensure they get regular fresh air. There is also an under cover area to enable children to play outside in all weathers.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's fine motor skills are developing well, and they are confident when selecting and using small equipment such as scissors, pencils, paintbrushes and play dough tools. They use equipment such as slides, ride on toys and climbing frames in the garden with ease and confidence. They show excellent co-ordination when jumping and running or when using equipment such as large gym balls. Older children also enjoy weekly yoga sessions.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. All children benefit from exceptionally stimulating environments that are warm, spacious and extremely well organised and resourced. Children are split in to five groups across both floors of the nursery. Each area has a messy and cosy space, that are either incorporated into the layout, or are situated close by that children are able to access within their teams throughout the day. There is a member of staff in charge of each room, and they have sole responsibility for the planning and resourcing of their learning environment. This works exceptionally well and means that the equipment relates directly to children's needs and interests and helps to increase their enjoyment and develop their skills in all areas. All of the equipment in every room

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 is clearly labelled, and is stored so that it is easily accessible to children, and they are able to help themselves if they want to play with something that has not been put out. Due to the exceptional range of equipment and the way that the rooms are organised, children have access to an excellent range of worthwhile play opportunities.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are carried out regularly, and staff have a very good knowledge and understanding of potential hazards. The premises are very secure, and the state of the art CCTV system in place, ensures all children are kept safe. Management are able to view each room on central televisions, helping to ensure safety and high quality care. Staff are very well deployed, helping to ensure children are well-supervised and safe at all times. Each member of staff has a walkie talkie for use if required. For example, if a child has an accident, they are able to radio through to the office immediately to ensure the relevant forms are completed, and the appropriate care is given. This makes the best use of the staff available to ensure children's safety and welfare. The fire alarm is tested every week and children and staff practise the fire evacuation procedure every term, although not all children have had experience of it. This

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

means that although staff would be able to guide them appropriately, some would not know what to do for themselves in an emergency situation. Older children learn about fire safety and have recently had their role play area set up as a fire engine. During this topic they learnt about dialling 999 in an emergency, encouraging them to learn about how to keep themselves and their families safe.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff have had training in child protection, ensuring they each have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and know what action to take should they have concerns about a child in their care. This ensures they quickly recognise when a child is in danger and can act in the child’s best interests. All serious existing injuries are recorded, as are all suspicious injuries noted by staff during sessions. However, not all injuries that are discussed with parents are noted, meaning records are not currently entirely complete in the event of a referral being made.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy, relaxed and relish their time in the vibrant and safe nursery atmosphere. Children play a dynamic part in the setting. They are animated and enthusiastic as they make choices about their activities and care. They are involved in an comprehensive range of worthwhile play opportunities that help them to make excellent progress in their development. Children are extremely independent and choose what they would like to do. They are very familiar with the routines at the nursery, and eagerly help with jobs such as feeding the snails or tidying up.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very well grouped which means they gain the most from the experiences on offer. Small manageable 'teams' helps to ensure their safety when washing their hands or playing in the garden. The organisation of the space, time and resources are excellent.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Makaton is used throughout the nursery and children from a young age are encouraged to learn the routine of the day on a visual timetable. Older children know the routine off by heart, and eagerly join in with the session at circle time. All rooms are exceptionally well resourced, and contain spaces such as listening areas, so even young children are able to operate CD players and use headphones to listen to a story. The cosy areas are also very well equipped and help to develop children's learning and potential. Each room has a toy that children take in

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 turns to take home. This helps to develop important links between home and nursery life, and contributes to children's enjoyment and learning when they discuss where the toy has been.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Exciting and worthwhile activities and experiences such as wrapping presents, playing with bubbles or baked beans, or investigating bugs all help children to develop and learn. The learning environment is exceptionally well planned in each room in order to meet the need and interests of the children within it. For example, the current topic downstairs is animals, and this week children are learning about animals that live under the sea. The role play area has been set up as a beach, and children really enjoy dressing up as swimmers, complete with armbands and goggles, and animals have been added to the water play to instigate discussion and extend learning. Role play areas in the other rooms include camping with tents and pretend BBQ's, as well as igloos and fire engines. The outside play space is also carefully planned, and part of it is currently set up as a café and garden centre, helping to ensure children are learning through

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their play in all areas of the nursery. This shows staff are skilled and imaginative in the way they set up the play space in order to maximise children's enjoyment and potential.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Relationships are excellent at all levels. Children gain a high level of self-control. They express their needs appropriately, learn to negotiate conflict and become sensitive and respectful in their interactions with others. They relate extremely well to staff and to each other. They confidently approach staff for support if they need it, indicating secure and trusting relationships are built. Staff have an exceptional knowledge of each child and where they are at developmentally, helping them to progress in all areas of development. Staff have a secure knowledge of the Foundation Stage and the Birth to three matters framework, and some are qualified to degree level, helping children to further benefit from their skills and experience. All staff create scrap books for each child, containing observations, photos and examples of their work, making them a lovely record of how each child is progressing.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. Children's learning and achievement are exceptional in relation to their starting points and capabilities. Teaching is consistently inspiring and challenging for all groups of children. The activities and experiences provided are exceptionally well matched to children’s needs and interests as staff plan the learning environment and activities, based on the children in each room. They know them exceptionally well. Teaching is rooted in expert knowledge of the Foundation Stage. The varied and exciting teaching methods in use show staff have a full understanding of how young children learn and progress. Relationships are excellent. Teaching highly motivates children so they are engrossed in their activities and make very rapid progress. Assessment is rigorous. Observations are carried out all of the time and are used very effectively to guide the weekly planning meetings in order

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to ensure children are appropriately challenged and progressed.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities and experiences for all children are rich, varied and imaginative and meet the needs of individual children exceedingly well. Practitioners are extremely skilled and sensitive in their management of children and their behaviour. They provide a highly stimulating and welcoming environment which fully reflects the children’s backgrounds and the wider community. They consistently make excellent use of their time and resources to support children’s learning. Continual and rigorous monitoring procedures enable staff to maintain the high standards of teaching.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing excellent relationships with others and get on well with peers and staff. Staff listen with interest to children's thoughts and stories, and ask open-ended questions to

p.5

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 help extend learning. Children show an immense sense of pride in their work and achievements. They help clear up after each activity and are encouraged to work together. Children are very considerate. They take turns well, and show high regard for each other. Children enjoy being read to, and make full use of the book areas. Circle time is an excellent source of learning for children. It is exceptionally well organised and children thrive from the experience. The photographic register helps to keep children interested. They know the days of the week, the months of the year and are patient when they want to speak. They put their hands up and wait until they are selected by staff before answering questions. They show very good self control. Children are able to count each other and the staff present with ease, and enjoy working out

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

how many people are in the room, or how many are boys and girls. Children are full of knowledge and are eager to demonstrate what they can do.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are given many opportunities by staff to recognise shapes and numbers, calculate and use subtraction in everyday situations. Children show an interest in information technology, and show good exploration and investigation skills. They have a good understanding of past and present, frequently discussing people, places and events in their lives. They regularly visit places of interest and have visitors into the nursery, helping to ensure they are able to develop a sense of community. Children move in a variety of ways. The garden has an excellent range of equipment to ensure children excel in their physical development. Children enjoy experimenting with different media in the messy areas, and have free access to a wealth of resources. They use their imaginations in the well resourced, themed, role play areas and enjoy looking at bugs or pretending to be hairdressers. Children are thriving in the nursery environment

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and are making excellent progress towards the early learning goals.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. Staff encourage all children to participate in the activities and experiences provided, helping to ensure they have equal opportunities to maximise their enjoyment and potential. The environment is exceptionally warm and welcoming with lots of photos and displays of children’s work, showing staff highly value children's contributions. Staff interaction is extremely positive, and children take it in turns to be the 'special helper' for the day, helping to encourage their confidence and feeling of self-worth.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

The designated special educational needs co-ordinator has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibilities and monitors each child closely to ensure their needs are met. Children are supported exceptionally well. She liaises closely with parents and outside agencies and completes a day book if required to ensure information is shared. A detailed hand-over at the end of each session helps to ensure complete continuity of care. She is a one to one worker herself, meaning she is up to date with all of the latest guidance. Additional support workers are sought if required in order to ensure that children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are very well supported on a one to one basis. There are an excellent range of resources available that help to develop children's understanding of diversity, and staff talk to children about the different festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. The displays around the nursery

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

show staff are fully committed to teaching children, staff and parents about different religions, cultures and countries as well as treating each other with respect. Staff and parents are both issued with an equalities book made up by the equalities representative, stating exactly how the nursery promote this area. Each room has a country box containing a variety of equipment such as books, props and dressing up clothes that is swapped periodically with other rooms.

p.6

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 This helps to ensure children are able to learn about the world around them in an interesting and exciting manner.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved and benefit from exceptionally positive interaction from staff, helping them to understand the difference between right and wrong and show consideration for others. The kindness tree ensures good behaviour and kind gestures are recognised and celebrated. The nursery has a set of golden rules that are laminated and displayed in every room at child height, helping to ensure they learn the importance of listening and being polite from a very early age. Staff in all rooms use a timer as a visual way to explain the need for children to share their toys with each other. This works exceptionally well with children of all ages.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is outstanding. Staff encourage an excellent communicative relationship with parents who are very happy with the care provided. They are very complimentary of the nursery and have recommended it to others. They particularly like the social aspects of the nursery, the friendly and highly qualified staff that care for the children, and the fact their children really enjoy coming. Regular questionnaires, parents evenings, welcome events and Christmas parties all help to ensure parents feel fully involved with the nursery and how their children are progressing. Parents are able to use the 'lounge' upstairs to socialise or watch their children settling in on the CCTV screens. 'All about me' forms are completed by parents before children start to help ensure staff are able to meet the needs of the children. Starting points are established at this stage to enable staff to effectively plan the next steps in each child's

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

learning. Home visits are planned from this year where key workers will be able to liaise directly with parents, and observe children in their home environment helping to ensure children are able to thrive. Staff speak to parents daily about how their children have been, helping to establish an excellent partnership. Staff make a note of any parents they are unable to speak to in order to ensure they can monitor how often information is shared. If they feel they have not had the chance to speak to a parent for a while, they telephone them at home to ensure they are kept up to date with what's going on. Parents receive information about the Foundation Stage and the Birth to Three frameworks in the prospectus and their handbooks. Planning is uniform across the nursery, and is adapted to meet the needs of the children in each room. It is displayed on each room door, making it easily accessible and informative for parents. Parents

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

are invited to help interview prospective staff, and are also supplied with a annual events and closures diary for the nursery, that details everything happening throughout the year. This helps to ensure parents are given every opportunity to become involved in nursery life.

p.7

Organisation

The organisation is good. All of the policies and procedures are individual to the setting. Most are robust, and fully support the practice of knowledgeable and highly skilled staff who consistently give utmost priority to protecting children and promoting their well-being. However, the fire procedures currently in place require reviewing to help further benefit the children attending the nursery, and the record of existing injuries requires improving to ensure records are complete.

p.7

Organisation

Children are very well grouped and benefit from an exceptionally well-organised environment where they receive excellent adult support to help them feel secure and confident as staffing ratios are exceeded every day. All staff have a minimum level three qualification, meaning children excel in all areas of learning as staff are very skilled. Staff are very well deployed and have an exceptional knowledge of each child and where they are at developmentally.

p.7

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 Leadership and management is outstanding. Clear aims reflect a commitment to providing high quality care and education. Staff are passionate, and are always striving for further improvement through questionnaires, evaluative and reflective practice. The dedicated staff work very well as a team, and management put a wealth of effort in, such as team meetings, social events and peer observations to ensure this is the case. Clear communication ensures consistency of care. A superb partnership between the staff, parents and external agencies ensures all work together in numerous ways to meet each child’s needs and ensure their protection. Staff have an excellent knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities, and regular appraisals help to ensure training needs are identified. The nursery have an 'Investors in People' award for staff

p.7

Organisation

development. All staff attend training such as child protection, and everyone has a first aid qualification, helping to ensure children's safety and welfare is paramount. The manager successfully leads her team of staff helping to ensure a consistent, stimulating and well-balanced programme is available to all children. She is very well supported by her deputy and the nursery's operations manager. These close links as well as regular room inspections, ensure the nursery offer a very high quality childcare service and an outstanding level of education. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom they provide.

p.8

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the nursery were asked to ensure parents signatures were included on medication records. This detail has now been added to ensure the safety of the children. The nursery were also given a point for consideration under the Nursery Education programme, and this was to improve the link between assessment and planning to enhance the challenge for more able children. Children play in small groups and staff know the children well. They extend activities and play experiences accordingly in order to ensure all children are effectively challenged.

p.8

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.8

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.8

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.8

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.8

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are outstanding.

p.8

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.8

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 • continue to implement the revised procedures for fire drills to ensure all children have the opportunity to participate in them, and further promote the good practice already in place by ensuring all existing injuries that are discussed with parents are recorded

p.8

The quality and standards of the nursery education

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

p.9

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.9

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.9