Little Pumpkins Nursery LtdOfsted inspection, 26 Jul 2007

Little Pumpkins Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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EY316353 Unique Reference Number 26 July 2007 Inspection date Beverly Hallett Inspector

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88 Woodyates Road, London, SE12 9JH Setting Address

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0208 851 2400 Telephone number Deannicol@AOL.COM E-mail Little Pumpkins Nursery Ltd Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care Type of care

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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?

Little Pumpkins Nursery opened in 2005 and operates from a converted semi-detached house in the Lee area of the London Borough of Lewisham. A maximum of 24 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. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 24 children aged from three months to five years on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery employs six staff, all of whom, including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications. One member of staff is working towards a qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy some meals which are freshly prepared from raw ingredients and therefore promote healthy eating. However, snacks mainly consist of processed foods, for example, pizza, baked beans and potato waffles. There is no separate menu for babies who are being weaned

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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 and so they are given the same foods as older children but in pureed form. This is not always appropriate as there is a high salt and sugar content in many of these foods and therefore the diet offered does not meet healthy eating guidelines for babies under 12 months.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children play in a very clean environment. The nursery smells clean and fresh and all surfaces are cleaned to a high standard, supporting children's good health and hygiene. Children are beginning to learn about personal hygiene as staff encourage them to take their shoes off as they come in from the garden and to wash their hands when using the toilet and before and after meals. However, this same learning is not promoted in younger children, as those who are using the potty or have their nappies changed are not encouraged to wash their hands before leaving the bathroom.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children very much enjoy playing in the garden. They are developing a good variety of physical skills as they play catch and ring games with staff and use other equipment such as tricycles and the plastic climbing frame. Older children pedal competently around the concrete track which circles the garden showing good spatial awareness as they avoid crashing into each other. Babies are brought down to enjoy the garden once older children have left. They sit with staff on large blankets, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine as they play with rattles and soft balls.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a bright, warm and welcoming physical environment. They settle well in a spacious, fairly well organised environment which allows them to move around and play safely. However, as most toys are stored in adult cupboards, children's access to a wide range of activities is limited and opportunities to experience and explore a stimulating environment are reduced.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are well deployed and vigilant, ensuring the safety of the children at all times. The building is safe and secure and notices remind parents and visitors not to let strangers into the building unattended. A fair range of equipment is available which is generally in good condition and offers children learning in most areas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have an appropriate understanding of safeguarding children and know what action to take if they have concerns about a child in their care. This ensures staff can act in the child’s best interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Staff in the baby room show through their interaction that they genuinely enjoy infants' company. They have fun, sing and laugh as they play with them, and so the babies are beginning to understand that they are valued and important and enjoy being with others.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies are finding a voice as they respond to the songs and rhymes adults sing, clapping their hands and vocalising with pleasure. Staff respond to their babbling, encouraging them to listen and respond as part of learning to communicate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children in the preschool room are generally happy and focussed on their play. They make some choices from the activities staff set out on the tables. However, most activities are adult initiated, and although planning ensures children make generally good progress in all 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 areas, the lack of free access to a wide range of toys and resources restricts their opportunities for autonomous learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children are developing good self care skills in some areas because they change their own shoes as enter and leave the main play room. However, snack times for older children do not promote the same self care skills. All children are given a plastic bowl and fork with which to eat. This makes self feeding very difficult as the bowls are too high for children to manipulate the fork successfully to scoop up the foods. Neither are they able to learn to cut up their own food. Many children resort to using their hands and fingers and so are not learning to use eating utensils effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are introduced to a small variety of cultural traditions through planned topics which helps to develop a positive attitude and respect for others. However children have limited opportunities to see positive images of today's diverse society within the toys and resources present at the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's self-esteem is fostered when staff praise them and recognise their achievements, such as when they tidy up or complete a task. Children are generally compliant and well behaved and respond positively to staff requests to help tidy up.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership staff have developed with parents. Effective communication systems between parents and staff, such as the daily records sheets and parent notice boards, build sound relationships between parents and the setting. Complaints are dealt with effectively with follow up reviews and parents are invited to attend trips, such as to the fire station, as part of the nursery community.

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Organisation

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

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Organisation

Children are cared for by suitably qualified staff who have been appropriately vetted, due to effective recruitment procedures. Induction training, policies and procedures work well in practice, ensuring the efficient and safe management of the nursery.

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Organisation

There is a commitment to develop the provision and the management have clear aims for the future. Staff are competent within their roles and are supported in their work by the management team as ongoing training is actively encouraged.

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Organisation

A record of complaints from parents is in place, although not in a format which facilitates clear information sharing.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to improve children's hygiene within the setting and to improve their safety when using the garden.

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Improvements 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 The provider has taken steps to ensure all areas of the nursery are kept very clean and work has been completed to make the garden safe and suitable for children to play in. Children now play in a very clean and safe environment both inside and out.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there has been one complaint which required the provider to take action in order to meet the National Standards. The complaint related to standards 3; Care Learning and Play, 4; Physical Environment, 7; Health and Hygiene, and 14; Documentation.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted responding by carrying out an unannounced visit to the setting. The provider was required to take actions to improve the hygiene within the setting by improving the nappy changing procedure, the stimulation offered to children under three by offering a more stimulating environment and range of activities, and the way in which complaints were recorded by keeping a clear complaints log.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider cooperated fully and responded by taking steps to meet the required actions within the time scale set.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted was satisfied that by taking these steps the provider met the National Standards and remains qualified for registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The complaints made to Ofsted are recorded in the complaints log.

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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.

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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): • ensure all written complaints from parents regarding the National Standards are recorded on one complaints log • ensure all children, even those using a potty or having their nappy changed, follow good personal hygiene routines such as washing hands after being in the bathroom • ensure all meals provided for very young children follow healthy eating guidelines and are suitable for their age/stage of development

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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 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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