Auntie Jayne's House

Auntie Jayne's House Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346178 Unique Reference Number 04 June 2007 Inspection date Jean Evelyn Thomas Inspector

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82 Whaley Lane, WIRRAL, Merseyside, CH61 3UW Setting Address

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E-mail

Auntie Jayne's House Ltd Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day 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 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?

Auntie Jayne's house is a privately owned day nursery. It opened in 2007 and operates from three rooms in a purposely converted building. It is situated in a residential area in Thingwall, Wirral. A maximum of 12 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08.00 to 18.00 for 50 weeks of the year. The children have access to a large secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 17 children aged from birth to under five years on roll. Children come from the local area. The nursery currently supports children with disabilities. The nursery employs five members of staff all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The health and hygiene procedures help to protect children from infection and to meet their individual needs. Staff have established routines for cleaning surfaces, toys and equipment and the use of aprons for specific tasks. From an early age children become familiar with basic personal hygiene routines because staff introduce hand washing to children whilst they are in

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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 nappies. Through staff support children gain an understanding of staying healthy. For example, blowing their nose and disposing of used tissue in the bin to prevent the risk of cross infection. Appropriate measures are taken when children become unwell and the parents are contacted. Parents are given information about the exclusion periods for the different illnesses before the arrangement commences. Procedures are in place if children contract a communicable illness for the well-being of all children attending. Four of the five staff are qualified first aiders, this ensures appropriate measures are followed in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy and balanced diet. The food is home cooked. Systems are in place to meet children's individual dietary needs to ensure they are not exposed to foods that may trigger allergic reactions. Staff have completed food hygiene training to ensure correct procedures are followed to prevent food contamination. Children are offered regular drinking water, including being available when playing outdoors further promoting their health and development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is well promoted through indoor and outdoor activities. They have daily opportunity to enjoy playing outdoors and benefit from the fresh air. Children are protected whilst playing in the sunshine by wearing hats and staff applying protection cream to their bodies. Full use is made of the large garden where the children are able to access a well balanced range of equipment to develop and practise a wide range of physical skills. For example, steering push along cars, avoiding obstacles and showing spatial awareness. The children have fun crawling through tunnels and tents spontaneously arranged by the staff. Children are well coordinated as they throw and kick balls. Large mats are set out under the tree which offers shade. Here babies and less mobile children crawl and move around exploring the toys and water play. All children enjoy a range of activities that promote their hand to eye

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Helping children to be healthy

coordination, such as using scissors, building with small or large construction materials and rolling play dough. Children relate to their own growth needs as they care for the seeds they have planted. Children are able to rest according to their personal needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and secure environment which provides a welcoming atmosphere, this helps children to settle and pursue play. Children's work is displayed, further helping to develop their sense of belonging. The accessibility of the toilets allows children to use these facilities independently to promote their self care skills. Children have access to a range of stimulating resources. Staff rotate play equipment from the stock of resources available to sustain children's interest and to offer greater challenge. Resources are organised in such a way to encourage safe, independent choice and accessibility. Equipment is used to meet the care needs of children, such as cots, chairs with harnesses and sleeping bags.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe environment. A safety check is carried out before the children arrive and staff know the safety procedures. However, the safety procedure regarding the playhouse on stilts is not effective in ensuring children cannot access this piece of equipment without staff supervision. The risk assessment does not indicate that all areas of the nursery have been assessed for potential hazards. Children learn about keeping themselves safe when they practise the emergency evacuation procedure and follow the road safety rules when on outings. Children are encouraged to tidy away toys and equipment. This helps children to take personal responsibility for keeping the environment orderly and in safe condition.

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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 Children's welfare is safeguarded through staff’s sound knowledge and training of child protection issues and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed within the setting. They separate confidently from their parents and settle quickly. This is because staff are warm and friendly when greeting the children on arrival and provide them with a range of activities that interest and help the children to make progress in their learning and development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The staff implement the 'Birth to three matters' framework to ensure from the earliest age children benefit from a wide range of activities to promote their development. Babies enjoy activities that give opportunity for them to learn through using their senses. For example, exploring jelly, coloured water and sand. Equipment and resources are well organised and are low-level, which enables babies to feel safe and confident to explore their surroundings. The framework provides the foundation for the planning, observation and assessment. The plans identify the range of activities and experiences children participate in. Staff extend these to offer greater challenge and stimulus for the older children. Staff have a flexible approach to implementing the plans, responding to children's interest to determine the direction of play. Staff successfully use spontaneous situations and discussion to further enhance children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

learning and understanding of their wider world. For example, children show keen interest in the snails they find in the garden. Staff and children study the snails. Staff ask questions to stimulate children's thinking and language development. Children notice differences in the movements of the snail and the ants they can also see. The children hunt around the garden to look for other insects and gather food for the snail which they carefully place into the bug box. Self initiated the older children crawl around the garden imitating the snail and the younger children join in with much laughter from everyone. The staff and children adapt songs to include snails, for example 'there is a snail at the bottom of the garden'. Different ages of children join in either singing enthusiastically, clapping or dancing. Children benefit from the staff's enthusiastic and positive attitudes, which inspires children to respond with similar energy and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

interest. This creates an atmosphere where children are eager to play and express their ideas. After lunch the children decide which activities are to be set out and where, this includes creating a comfortable corner in the messy play area with a large blanket and floor cushions. Together the staff and children set out the room as planned. Children have good opportunities to use their imagination, for example, the children use boxes to create dolls houses and roadways.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children receive lots of encouragement and cuddles from the staff, which helps them to feel safe and secure in their care. Staff are familiar with the individual children's personalities and are able to identify what their needs are, such as when they are tired or have eaten enough.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Staff ensure that all children are included in the activities provided and that their individual needs, such as their dietary requirements, are well met. They listen to what children have to say and show interest in what they are doing, thus boosting children's confidence and self-esteem. Children gain an awareness of diversity through a satisfactory selection of resources and activities that promote positive images. However, there are no resources in the baby room and few visual images around the nursery.

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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 The children's behaviour is good. Mixed age groups of children play considerately and cooperatively together and learn from each other. Staff present themselves as positive role models for children to observe. Positive strategies are used as detailed in the policy to encourage children's behaviour with an emphasis on praise and acknowledgement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership with parents and carers. This is considered an essential part of the service to meet the needs of the children and offer continuity of care to promote their development and learning. Effective communication links are in place to share and exchange information through discussion when children arrive and are collected and the maintenance of the daily diary. Parents receive detailed information about the nursery and its provision.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The employment procedures ensure suitable persons are employed to work with children. The children are cared for by qualified staff who have knowledge and experience of working with children. Staff attend relevant courses, such as 'Birth to three matters' framework to continue their own professional development and further enhance their childcare practice. Staff work well as a team and the regular team meeting promotes continuity in care practices. They create a happy and supportive atmosphere for children and parents. The staffing ratio's are met. However, contingency arrangements to cover staff absence needs to be developed.

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Organisation

The space is organised thoughtfully to enable children to move freely between activities and develop their ideas as they play. Although the outdoor play area is used extensively children have the opportunity to play indoors if they wish. Staff deployment ensures children are well supervised as they move freely between the areas of activity. Children from an early age are confident in making decisions about where they want to play and what with. The structure of the day gives time for children to play in a unhurried manner which allows them to extend their ideas, make connections and develop new skills.

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Organisation

The legally required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well being are maintained. All records and documentation are available for inspection. Confidential information and records are securely stored to protect children. 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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • improve the written risk assessment to ensure it covers all areas of the nursery and ensure children cannot freely access the play house on stilts for their safety • further develop resources to promote positive images of race, culture, disability and gender in all areas of the nursery to extend children's understanding about the diversity of society • develop contingency arrangements to cover staff absence to ensure children are offered support and attention 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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