Oak Tree Day Nursery

Oak Tree Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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EY235391 Unique Reference Number 06 September 2007 Inspection date Lynne Elizabeth Lewington Inspector

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13 Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 4QD Setting Address

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0118 9733231 Telephone number oaktree.nursery@childbase.com E-mail Child Base Limited Registered person Integrated 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 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 outstanding. 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?

Oak Tree Day Nursery is a private Full Day care provision set in rural surroundings and is part of the Child Base group, which has nurseries across the country. The nursery provision is set over two floors and has a large enclosed paved and grassed garden to the rear of the property.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Oak Tree Nursery is open from 07.30 to 18.30 each weekday with the exception of Public and Bank Holidays. Full and part-time places are offered.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of 67 children may attend the nursery at any one time. There are currently 103 children on roll and 26 of the three and four-year-olds are in receipt of nursery education funding. The setting is able to support children with special needs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The children are cared for across the age groups by qualified, experienced nursery nurses, and nursery assistants. All staff currently hold First Aid certificates. The setting receives support from the local Early Years Childcare and Development Partnership.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Excellent provision is made to meet children's health and dietary requirements. Routines ensure the premises are spotlessly clean and well maintained providing a pleasant and healthy environment for the children's play and learning. Children learn the importance of good hygiene routines to help promote their health as posters and staff encourage them to wash their hands before food and after toileting. Easy access to well stocked first aid kits and well trained staff ensure any accidents can be dealt with swiftly and effectively. Children enjoy an excellent routine which promotes their health. They have extensive opportunities for fresh air and physical activity, opportunities for stimulation and quiet activity or sleep. This promotes the children's sense of well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

An excellent, varied and nutritious menu is offered enabling children to enjoy freshly cooked food each day. Information gathered from parents and carers ensures special dietary needs are met appropriately. Children enjoy outdoor activity and consequently develop good appetites. They independently access drinks of water to prevent dehydration and staff encourage and assist younger children to find their named drink bottles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Excellent provision is made for children to develop their physical abilities throughout the nursery. The baby room is large and organised effectively enabling children to develop their early mobility. Low level furniture and homely seating enables children to pull themselves to standing, open spaces with attractive toy areas encourage children to crawl or shuffle. The outdoor areas provide excellent opportunities to develop balancing and co-ordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is positively encouraged throughout the setting. The physical environment is well organised and maintained enabling children to develop their skills and access toys and resources easily. The ground floor playrooms have large patio doors enabling children to enjoy their learning both indoors and out. Toys and equipment throughout the setting meets the needs of the children cared for. The baby room is equipped with soft homely furnishings creating a welcoming warm environment for their care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The excellent induction package ensures that all staff are aware of the safety measures and procedures they must follow to promote the safe care of the children. Thorough risk assessments undertaken on a regular basis ensure the safety of children and staff both in the setting and on outings. The fire evacuation procedure is undertaken regularly enabling all staff and children to be familiar with the routines they must follow. Children are successfully developing their own awareness of safety as they remind each other to pick things up off the floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Clear child protection policies are clearly displayed on the notice board. Children's welfare is safeguarded appropriately by the staff’s sound knowledge of the signs and symptoms which would give them concern and the procedures they must follow if they are concerned about a child in their care.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children in all age ranges experience a varied and interesting day where excellent opportunities are provided for them to develop their interest in the world around them. Children enjoy stimulating play in a child centred environment. They explore confidently, and experience excellent opportunities to develop their senses in the natural light and fresh air. For example, toddlers develop confidence in their physical abilities as they climb onto and jump off a railway sleeper. Observant staff encourage and supervise but allow the children to explore their interesting environment developing balance and confidence. In this environment staff make children feel welcome and create a happy nurturing environment. Children follow a regular routine. This provides a sense of familiarity and security which in turn creates a happy play environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Nursery funded children experience good opportunities for developing language and communication skills. They enjoy good quality books, have opportunities to use writing implements, and see words throughout the setting, many can recognise their own names. Children confidently ask questions and make their needs and observations clearly known to others.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to develop awareness of numbers and quantity, size and shape through their experiences and activities. Numbers are displayed and they play number games. Children easily access maths resources and show increasing awareness of size, shape and pattern as they play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities for imaginative play as they dress up with hats and use role play equipment. They enjoy music sessions and stretch and grow sessions where they use their bodies creatively. They sing songs and dance to tapes. However, the range of creative art materials which the children can access is limited.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have very good opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world. They plant and grow vegetables, such as beans and tomatoes, in the garden, taking great pride in the produce they create. They independently water their plants, recognising the importance of water to living things. The garden provides opportunities to explore senses in a sensory area and see the changes to the attractive living willow den and tunnel. Through their daily opportunities for outside play the children are learning about the weather and the changing seasons. Many children competently use the computer.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show concern for others as they play and are beginning to share and take turns. They have good opportunities to develop their independence as they help to prepare the outside area and to tidy away, visit the toilet independently and serve their own dinners. Children confidently talk about their families, pets and events in their lives.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The staff encourage and listen attentively to children and they allow children to make choices in their play. The activity plans and interaction with children indicate a good understanding of the areas of learning. However, the quality of the development records and observations which are maintained for each child is not consistent. Whilst some clearly indicate the next steps in children's learning others do not. This does not ensure all children’s learning is monitored and promoted consistently.

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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 outstanding. Partnership with parents is outstanding. Parents are involved and encouraged to support and extend their children's learning through the excellent communication systems in place. Staff are approachable and welcoming enabling good communication to easily develop and attractive notice boards provide a wealth of information. Planned activities enable children and their families to be fully involved in the setting. For example, grandparents are invited to tea. This helps to include children's families in the setting and promotes consistent care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing a positive awareness of diversity through the well selected play resources, planned activities, positive images in posters and wall displays and opportunities to meet visitors from their community and go on local outings. Good observation of children enables any concerns to be sensitively addressed with parents and additional help and advice sought. Links with the early years service and other professionals enable the setting to work constructively and effectively to promote all children's welfare.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour is excellent because children are learning the difference between right and wrong. They are developing an awareness of the effect of their actions on others because staff talk to them about their behaviour and offer lots of praise and encouragement. All staff show respect and consideration for the children and each other. They use good manners and talk quietly and respectfully setting a good example to the children, and consequently the children are learning to behave in a similar fashion. Children are developing a desire to share responsibility for their environment as they help to tidy away, and ensure the outside area is ready for outdoor play. Older children have learned about conserving their natural environment through visits and talks from the park ranger and water board. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Leadership and management are outstanding. The professional management of this setting ensures the children receive excellent care throughout their time in the nursery. Excellent attention is paid to the recruitment, induction and development of staff, enabling staff to provide excellent quality care for the children. Regular supervision and staff meetings enable the staff to consider, evaluate and develop their good practice for the benefit of the children. The manager is an effective leader planning and taking appropriate steps to address weaknesses.

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Organisation

The resources are all used extremely effectively to provide a warm nurturing and exciting environment, where the staff work effectively as a team to provide outstanding quality care for young children. Excellent consideration is given to health and safety promoting the children's well-being effectively. Children enjoy the warm nurturing care offered to them and consequently flourish developing confidence and interest in the world around them. Resources are used effectively throughout the setting, providing the children with a clean, safe interesting environment which caters for their interests and needs extremely well.

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Organisation

Nursery education is good. Children enjoy the varied and interesting activities they can access in this free flow environment. However, they have limited art opportunities and records do not always indicate the next steps in their learning.

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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 The setting provides an inclusive environment where children and their families feel welcome. All documentation to support the care and safeguard the children's interests is well maintained and easily accessible. The setting does meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the setting was recommended to improve the safety with regard to potentially hazardous plants and ensure a daily record of attendance is maintained. Appropriate improvements have been made. The garden area is well maintained and suitable for the children's play with no obvious hazards from plants. The children's welfare and safety is promoted as each room maintains an accurate daily record of attendance which contains the times of arrival and departure of all the children and staff.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Previous recommendations for nursery education included the monitoring and evaluation of children’s development and a need to improve opportunities for children to undertake creative activities. Whilst effective methods of monitoring progress and development have been implemented, the staff’s ability to use them is inconsistent and does not always link to the next steps in children's learning. Children enjoy opportunities to undertake role play activities, dance, sing and make music, however, opportunities to use creative art materials are limited by a poor selection of easily accessible art resources.

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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. 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 outstanding. 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

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

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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): • improve quality of developmental records and consistently include indicators to the next steps in children's learning

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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 • improve children's access to a wide variety of creative art experiences

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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

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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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