Play Centre Nursery

Play Centre Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Play Centre Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY296574 Inspection date 09 November 2005 Inspector Jacqueline Crawford

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Play Centre Nursery

Setting Address Wickbourne Centre, Clun Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5EA Telephone number 01903 733337

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E-mail

Registered person Arun Community Church Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Full day 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 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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Play Centre Nursery opened in 2005. It operates from one large room with an adjoining baby room in a purpose built building. The nursery is situated in Littlehampton, West Sussex. A maximum of 50 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08:00 to 18:00 for 51 weeks of the year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 126 children from 8 months to under 5 years on roll. Of these 27

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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 children are under 2 years and 32 receive funding for nursery education. Children come from the local area. The nursery supports children with special educational needs and children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs 14 staff of whom 9 including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications. There are four members of staff working towards a relevant qualification. The nursery receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children thrive because staff follow appropriate health and hygiene procedures and practices which meet the children's physical, nutritional and health needs. Children are well protected because staff take positive steps to prevent the spread of infection during personal care and daily routines. Staff are aware of the changes required to ensure appropriate nappy disposal and storage procedures are followed in the baby changing area. Children gain a secure understanding of good hygiene practice while effectively increasing their personal independence, through the good guidance and support they receive from staff. Children and babies enjoy the excellent provision of healthy and nutritious snacks and meals which are prepared on the premises and include a range of fruit and vegetables. Children help to prepare their own snacks at the rolling snacks times and receive regular drinks throughout the day. Baby mealtimes and feeding routines are

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Helping children to be healthy

relaxed and are organised to meet the children's individual needs. Children enjoy an extensive and varied menu, however the menu is not displayed in the nursery to inform parents. Children learn about healthy living through good daily routines, the range of topics and discussions with staff. Children explore, test and develop physical control in stimulating daily indoor and outdoor experiences, and by using an excellent range of play equipment. The soft safety surface of the outdoor play provision and access to the large hall provides opportunities for all children, including the babies to increase their confidence and to try out new skills. Staff have a keen knowledge of Birth to Three Matters which gives them an excellent understanding of each child's stage of development. Older children develop a positive attitude to physical exercise and delight in the challenges set out for them in a versatile range of activities. Good provision is made for children and

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Helping children to be healthy

babies to rest and sleep according to their needs in comfortable surroundings.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their health and dietary needs met because staff work effectively with parents and keep individual records for each child. Record sheets and daily discussions with staff ensure parents are well informed about their children's personal care and meals they have enjoyed.

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Helping children to be healthy

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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. The well-implemented policies and procedures and daily routines, ensure staff are vigilant about maintaining a safe environment for children and staff. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because staff use thorough risk assessments to reduce potential hazards. Children become aware of emergency procedures as fire drills are regularly practised. Children learn some sense of danger and how to keep themselves safe as they move between the different areas of the nursery or Children's Centre and during their play. Staff have an extremely good understanding of how to achieve a good balance between freedom and setting safe limits, for example by teaching children how to use climbing equipment appropriately. Children enjoy an excellent range of high quality toys and play equipment which is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

organised effectively to meet the children's developing needs and is maintained in a clean and safe condition. Babies and toddlers use good quality nursery equipment and enjoy an excellent range of toys and resources which are safe and appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children are very well protected by staff who have a clear understanding of child protection policies and procedures through training. Staff give top priority to the children's welfare and understand their role in child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children arrive happy and are eager to participate in an excellent range of play and learning activities. All children enjoy a stimulating, bright and colourful environment in which they have opportunities to enjoy free flow play in excellent surroundings. The younger and new children are helped to settle by staff who are attentive and sensitive towards the children's individual needs. Staff use guidance such as Birth to Three Matters to monitor children's development and recognise the uniqueness of each child, therefore the youngest children make excellent progress. All children benefit from the warm and close relationships they have with staff, and the excellent interaction between adults and children which supports early communication skills. Children and babies become competent learners as they begin to make sense of the world and express their ideas and feelings. Babies and children show enthusiasm

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and thoroughly enjoy a diverse range of exploratory, imaginative and sensory play experiences. For example, children make salt dough shapes and use fingers to decorate them with textured paint and glitter, babies and toddlers delight in dressing up and enjoy the freedom of music and movement. All children gain knowledge and skills through a stimulating range of well planned topics and meaningful activities. Staff plan and provide an excellent range of stimulating learning experiences for babies and the youngest children.

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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 NURSERY EDUCATION The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children are happy, settled and are developing an excellent attitude to learning, because they are purposefully engaged in extremely well planned learning and play activities. Staff use their knowledge and understanding of the Foundation Stage and stepping stones across all areas of learning to provide activities with sufficient challenge for the children. Children show extended concentration and pleasure in topic related and independent learning activities. They listen intently to stories and recount favourites such as 'The Gruffalo'. However the planning of some group stories allow the younger children to become restless therefore distracting from the older children's learning and enjoyment. Children are self assured in their play and are developing their independence and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

personal care extremely well. For example, the excellent rolling snack time allows children to make choices and prepare their own food, while staff skilfully extend the activity into other areas of learning. Extremely good use is made of visual symbols and signs which enable children with special educational needs or those learning English as an additional language to understand and participate in activities. Children explore descriptive language in group discussions and are confident to express their ideas. However there are few opportunities for them to link sounds and letters or for children to begin to label their own work. Children make sense of the world around them through stimulating and creative projects and individual art work. For example, children learn about the growth of crops, harvesting, and discover things that can be made from flour, through the 'Little Red Hen' topic. Children learn about a variety of celebrations and make decorative

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

lamps from salt dough for Diwali. Children have excellent opportunities to explore a wide range of experiences which enable them to develop their senses and express themselves creatively. Children gain confidence in using numbers in their play and during daily routines. They respond enthusiastically to challenges such as matching and sequencing and enjoy activities which extend their mathematical vocabulary, for example during number rhymes, stories and through discussions with staff. Children work well together, for example the younger children learn to use programmes on the computer through guidance from the older children. Children develop and improve their physical skills through a good variety of experiences which include movement to music. Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals in all of the six areas of learning. Staff use a flexible approach to planning and provide an extremely

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

good balance of adult and child led activities, therefore children learn at their own pace. The effective planning provides a broad and balanced range of stimulating activities and experiences across all areas of learning, and reflects children's starting points and the community the children come from. At times staff miss opportunities to extend activities in order to promote children's learning between the six areas of learning of the Foundation Stage. Staff use children's assessment records effectively to identify children's starting points, monitor and record children's achievements and to plan experiences which take them to the next steps in their 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. Throughout all areas of the nursery children are cared for by staff who work effectively with parents to meet individual children’s needs. Staff ensure children with special educational and additional needs are welcome and are fully included in the life of the setting. Children and parents receive a warm welcome into the nursery by friendly and approachable staff. Staff manage children’s behaviour sensitively and effectively, increasing children's understanding of right and wrong by using simple strategies which children understand. The consistent boundaries and high expectations help the older children to negotiate with others and take responsibility for their own behaviour. Staff support the younger children extremely well encouraging them to share fairly and take turns. Children have extremely good opportunities to make choices and take decisions in their play and learning. The whole layout of the nursery, including the baby area and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

allows children to freely access toys and resources within comfortable play and learning areas. Children benefit from excellent sensory play and the good balance of indoor and outdoor activities which increase children’s levels of engagement and enthusiasm. Children show a strong sense of belonging, developing their confidence and self-esteem, because of the excellent example from the staff and the caring and nurturing environment. Children are becoming aware of diversity within a wider society through planned activities and as they celebrate their own and other cultural beliefs. This positive approach fosters children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development well. The partnership with parents is good. Parents are provided with good quality information about the provision, however they receive limited information about the learning programme and the Foundation Stage. Staff ensure parents are kept well

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Helping children make a positive contribution

informed about their children's care and development but do not clearly inform them about the on-going assessment process relating to the stepping stones and early learning goals. Children benefit greatly from the involvement of their parents in projects and the book loan scheme. Staff actively seek parents' views about their children's needs and interests on a regular basis and before they start nursery.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel comfortable and at ease in the welcoming and extremely well organised nursery environment. The effective recruitment and vetting procedures ensure children are well protected and cared for by staff with a secure knowledge and understanding of child development. Management has high regard for the staff and they work extremely well as a team. Staff training needs are identified and management effectively supports staff training and development. Policies and procedures are well implemented and the required documentation and children's records are clearly maintained, which ensures children are secure and well cared for. Management has a high regard for the well-being of all children and ensures group sizes and effective staff deployment contribute to children’s good health, safety,

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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 enjoyment and achievement and their ability to make a positive contribution. Management promotes an inclusive learning environment in which every child matters. Leadership and management is good. The effective leadership and management of the provision and the educational programme enable children to make good progress towards the early learning goals. Leadership and management ensure staff are motivated and well trained which ensures they have a sound understanding of the Foundation Stage and the stepping stones. Leadership and management have a clear vision for the nursery education with a strong focus on the personal development and achievement of all children. They set clear directions for continual improvements in the organisation of nursery education and the outcomes for children.

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Organisation

The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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 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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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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 good hygiene practice is maintained in nappy changing areas in order to prevent the risk of infection

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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 To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • provide more detailed information to parents about the Foundation Stage of learning and the assessment process

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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