Caring Kindergartens

(Northampton)

Inspection report for early years provision

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(Northampton)

Unique Reference Number 220128 Inspection date 12 July 2005 Inspector Kristin Hatherly

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(Northampton)

Setting Address Owl Close, Moulton Park, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN3 6HZ Telephone number 01604 499643

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E-mail

Registered person Caring Kindergartens Ltd. 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?

Caring Kindergarten Nursery is part of a chain of nurseries and opened in October 1996. It operates from a single storey building with an outdoor play area and is situated within a business park on the outskirts of Northampton. The nursery serves the local area and employment force. There are currently 73 children on the roll. This includes 14 funded 3-year-olds and 16 funded 4-year-olds. There are no children currently attending with special

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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 educational needs, and two children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery is open from 08:00 until 18:00, Monday to Friday, throughout the year, with the exception of bank holidays and the Christmas period. A total of 21 staff work with the children, of these 13 staff hold a childcare qualification. There are a further three members of staff who are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The nursery receives support from the Northampton Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. It carries the Investors In People award and has achieved the Pre-school Learning Alliance "Aiming For Quality" accreditation.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well promoted by staff who follow effective health and hygiene procedures. Children are developing an awareness of good hygiene practices and healthy living. They learn the importance of regular hand washing at appropriate times such as after messy play and before meals. They also have separate towels clearly labelled. This sustains the level of hygiene and helps to prevent the spread of infection. Children enjoy physical exercise and learn about the importance of activity in a healthy lifestyle as they join in free-play and organised activities. For example, they ride on wheeled toys, jump through hoops and walk using stilts, both in the outside play area and inside the setting. Babies have plenty of space to begin to crawl and pull themselves up and older children move spontaneously with increasing control and co-ordination, developing an awareness of space around them and the

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Helping children to be healthy

close proximity of others. Children understand the importance of good nutrition through the provision of healthy snacks and meals which also contribute to their good health. Although drinks are provided at regular intervals, children's independence is not promoted through ensuring that drinking water is always available and easily accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming and attractive play environment where space is organised and used effectively to enable children to play safely and move freely between activities. For example, children are grouped according to their age and development and there are separate rooms for playing and sleeping. Children cannot leave the premises unsupervised due to rigorous procedures for entering and leaving the premises. They are protected and their welfare promoted through regular risk assessments of equipment and premises, monthly fire drills and detailed risk assessments for outings. Children have access to toys, resources and equipment which is appropriate to their age and development and is regularly checked, cleaned and replaced. They are further protected and their welfare promoted because staff

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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 have a satisfactory knowledge of the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and enjoy coming to the nursery. They are confident and self-assured to work and play independently or in groups. Children are interested and involved in a wide range of worthwhile play opportunities both inside and outside, which promote their emotional, physical, social and intellectual development. Children are forming positive relationships with other children and staff who help them to develop their confidence through sensitive interactions and regular encouragement. Children begin to understand their own needs, and with adult support, become aware of the needs of others. Children behave very well, for example they willingly take turns and share resources. Their care is promoted well by efficient and effective organisation which is being further enhanced by the implementation of the Birth to Three Matters framework. Quality of teaching and learning

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. The staff have sufficient knowledge of the early learning goals and are effectively supported by the supervisor who has good in depth knowledge of the Foundation Stage which is reflected in the medium term plans. The learning programme and activities are planned to provide a broad and balanced range of activities across the six areas of learning and is suited to the children’s needs through rigorous assessment procedures, which inform staff of key areas of focus for individual children. However, this is not reflected in the short term planning. Generally, children are set sufficient and realistic challenges. Children enjoy planned interesting activities and as a result they are motivated, sustain concentration levels for a prolonged period of time and make links in their learning. Staff question children in order to extend their thinking and to help them consolidate

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their learning. Staff are friendly and caring and form good relationships with the children which helps them to feel secure. They give regular encouragement and praise which develops children's confidence and self-esteem and as a result children are very well behaved. Children use their imagination well during role play activities. They speak confidently and have access to a range of books and listen with interest to stories. They are developing their number skills through singing and rhymes and through spontaneously counting in a variety of activities. Older children are also developing their mathematical understanding by solving simple problems. Children enjoy many walks in the locality and are taken on a variety of outings to different places of interest which develops their sense of belonging to a community. Children's independence is promoted as they are encouraged to independently select activities

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and resources. They work well together, sharing and helping each other. They are provided with a rich, vibrant and very well resourced environment which further enhances their learning. Generally, staff are able to support children with special education needs and who speak English as an additional language.

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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. Children are welcomed and play a full part in the life of the nursery because staff value and respect their individuality and the family context for each child. They enjoy activities which promote a positive view of the wider world. This increases their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. However, resources to reflect this are limited. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They are beginning to learn about sharing and taking turns. They respond to clear expectations and are set consistent boundaries. Children learn to negotiate with others and take responsibility for their own behaviour. They receive regular reassurance, praise and encouragement which promotes their confidence and self esteem. Generally policies and procedures support staff's good practice. This positive approach fosters children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development

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Helping children make a positive contribution

well. The partnership with parents and carers is good. Children benefit from parents' involvement in their learning and their input into the way the provision operates. Parents are given clear and meaningful information on the Foundation Stage and the programme of learning through notice boards, leaflets and daily exchanges of information. They are regularly invited to comment on the provision and their comments are clearly incorporated into the setting’s procedures wherever relevant. All of this contributes to children's good health, safety, development and learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The nursery offers a warm and welcoming childcare experience where children are happy and settled. Their care is further enhanced by the good quality organisation and leadership and management of the nursery. The premises are well organised, safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. All required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety, and well-being is in place and is regularly reviewed. The leadership and management of the setting is good. The new manager is very well supported by the area manager. Managers and staff work well to ensure that policies and procedures are effective, relevant and put into practice appropriately. They share a clear vision for the nursery which centres around the personal development and achievement of all the children. Staff are motivated and work well

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Organisation

together as a team. There are clear recruitment and induction procedures in place. Children's development is enhanced through the ongoing commitment of staff to continue to develop their knowledge through training. All staff are committed to ensuring that the needs of all children are addressed and that all children feel included within the setting. Overall the needs of the children are met.

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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

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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 fresh drinking water is available to children at all times • ensure children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice • ensure that written statement on behaviour management includes bullying.

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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 the short term planning to ensure it is clearly focused and sufficiently detailed to reflect children's individual needs

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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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