The Firs Lower School

Andrew Memorial Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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137756 Unique Reference Number 03 October 2007 Inspection date Maria Therese Conroy Inspector

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Seventh Day Adventist Church, Glebe Road, London, NW10 2JD Setting Address

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E-mail

Pauline Phillips Registered person Integrated 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 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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Andrew Memorial Day Nursery opened in 1988. It is located within the London Borough of Brent and operates from a church a hall. They serve the local diverse community. The nursery opens five days a week, Monday to Thursday from 08.15 to 17.30 and on Fridays from 08:15 to 12.45. There are currently 19 children aged two years to under five years on roll. Of these, 14 receive funding for nursery education. The nursery employs five staff, all of whom hold relevant child care qualifications. In addition a cook is employed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have good opportunities to learn about keeping themselves healthy through the planned activities available. For example children know that vitamins in fruit and vegetables keep them healthy and strong. Their first aid and medical needs are attended to as three staff have first aid qualifications. In addition two staff have undertaken training in relation to

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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 administration of the Epipen. Medicine and accident records are all up to date and signed by parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a well balanced menu which is displayed for parents to see, including spaghetti bolognaise with vegetables followed by fruit. Drinking water is available to children throughout the day. Older children's independence is promoted as the children serve themselves their lunch and count the number of plates they need for their table. Mid morning snacks are provided by the nursery and children bring their own packed tea.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to develop their physical skills, they enjoy riding up and down on bikes, pushing buggies and climbing and sliding. Children have regular opportunities to take part in music sessions including dancing and action rhymes, such as 'Heads, Shoulders Knees and Toes'. Children's fine motor skills are developed as they regularly use pencils, crayons, paintbrushes and cut with scissors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The main play area used by the children is bright and welcoming to both parents and children. The nursery playroom is secure and can only be entered by a fingerprint security code, which protects children. The toys and equipment are of good quality and there is a wide variety of items to promote various play opportunities for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The nursery does undertake risk assessments, however the systems in place for monitoring the hazards identified are not always effective and procedures are not automatically reviewed when changes have occurred. For example the nursery has recently had building works undertaken and the risk assessment was not reviewed, which puts children's safety at risk. However the manager has recently reviewed the nursery practice in relation to updating and monitoring risk assessments, for example notices are put up reminding everyone using the front door to close it after them, staff, parents and others who need to access the entrance have also been reminded of the importance of being vigilant at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The nursery staff have received child protection training from the London Borough of Brent. There are written procedures in place for dealing with allegations of abuse in relation to both children and staff, although the staff procedure does contain most of the necessary details, some parts are not clear. Therefore the procedure is not fully secure. Volunteers are clear on their roles and responsibilities, for example they know they must not take any child to the toilet or be left alone with children. This ensures that children are protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Younger children participate with enthusiasm in music and movement and singing. They enjoy using the good selection of musical instruments and dancing around to a variety of music. Children explore a wide range of tactile materials such as corn flour, play dough, clay and sand. They make good use of the facilities and interact well with adults in their play. Adults sit at the tables with the children and support them in their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children can make independent choices throughout the day as to what they want to play with; this is due to the good organisation of the resources, the majority of which are at a low level.

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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 Throughout the week resources are added to, which enables children to extend their play. For example a large pop up tent is added to the well resourced home corner.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. Staff plan a variety of activities which generally promotes all areas of learning, however children's individual learning targets are not incorporated into the planning. Staff have a sound knowledge and understanding of the Foundation Stage curriculum, a reasonable range of teaching methods and they understand how children learn and progress. The level of challenge is sufficient to interest most children in the activities and to enable them to make satisfactory progress. Assessments and the use of information gained is satisfactory however this information is not fully utilized to influence future planning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy taking part in activities that promote mathematical development, such as simple subtraction for example they sing 'Five Current Buns' and have to work out how many remain. Children enjoy listening to stories such as 'I love you', when they are becoming familiar with mathematical concepts such as 'bigger and smaller'. Children are generally encouraged to count during practical activities such as at the lunch table when they count the number of plates required.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's language skills are promoted as the enjoy taking part in circle time; they talk about keeping themselves healthy as they help bath the baby doll. Children are learning to turn take when they help to bath and dry the baby. They are extending their vocabulary when they learn about the different parts of the body, name them and point to them on their own bodies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning about their environment when they go for local walks to the park, they explore the garden area for snails and examine them under the microscope. Children are becoming confident as they use the computer on a regular basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle in well at the nursery as the procedures in place enable children to feel secure. A profile is completed by most parents prior to children starting to enable the nursery to give the best possible care to each individual child. Staff are aware of individual needs for example dietary needs are displayed in the kitchen, where food is prepared. Children learn about their own cultures and those of others through planned activities, such as making shamrocks for St Patrick's Day and taking part in a puppet show for Diwaili.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is generally good; however there are times when children do not always listen to the staff. There are a number of new children who are still settling in and have yet to learn to share the toys and take turns. Staff provide opportunities to promote children's good behaviour for example when they finish their lunch, they receive a sticker which they proudly show their friends. Staff also take opportunities to incorporate sharing into the daily routine. For example during lunch, when one piece of apple is left over, the member of staff asks the children what should they do with it and they all reply at the same time 'share it'. Therefore children's social, moral, spiritual and cultural development is fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is satisfactory. Parents are given verbal information about the Foundation Stage curriculum, which is displayed on the wall for them to refer to at any time.

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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 There are regular exchanges of verbal information about individual children with parents. Staff work with parents to discuss any developmental issues and devise a plan of action to ensure continuity of care between home and nursery. Assessments are undertaken on children and these are shared through a regular formal parents' evening. During which they have the opportunity to view their children's assessment and talk to their key workers about their children's progress. The nursery is currently reviewing how children's records are presented and plan to improve this area. Although information is generally displayed, this is not always kept up to date, for example activity plans, which means parents are not always informed of what their children are doing for the week. Parents are very happy with the methods of teaching

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and the caring staff, and say they are able to be involved in their children's learning for example when they raised money through a 'sponsored toddle'.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Leadership and management are satisfactory. The nursery do have systems in place to monitor and evaluate the education programme provided, staff practice and assessments, however these are not fully effective. The management and staff show commitment to enhancing their practice as they access training programmes both internally and externally. Regular staff meetings are held to allow time for planning and discussing the programme for the week ahead. The playroom is well organised into the different areas of learning and it is attractively set out and welcoming for children on their arrival. Staff are generally deployed effectively and they are clear on their roles and responsibilities, allowing them to support children in their play.

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Organisation

Most of the required records, polices and procedures are in place and up to date. The staff team are consistent and they all hold relevant childcare qualifications. Children are protected as all staff have undergone suitable vetting procedures and there is a suitable procedure in place for volunteers and students to keep children safe.

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Organisation

Although the setting does undertake risk assessments, the procedures in place for monitoring these are not always fully effective and therefore children's safety is not always protected. The behaviour management policy is not fully reflective of practice and does not explain how staff promote positive behaviour, therefore parents are not kept fully informed. The procedure for dealing with allegations of abuse against a member of staff is not clear therefore both staff and parents may not be fully aware of steps that would be taken.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

The nursery were asked to improve in three areas in relation to care at the previous inspection. They were asked to update the child protection procedure which they have now reviewed, which ensures that they have followed the guidance which is up to date with current legislation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The nursery were asked to undertake risk assessments in relation to the doors leading into the premises to minimise the hazards. Although this has been done, at present there are no effective systems in place to monitor risk assessments and therefore the hazards identified still pose a risk to children. This has been identified as an area for improvement.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The nursery were asked to keep a record of complaints which they have now completed which is available to parents on request.

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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 nursery were also asked to improve in four areas in relation to the nursery education provided. They were asked to ensure that the observations made on the children enable their progress to be tracked and to help plan the next steps of the children's learning. The nursery do assess children, however at present they are still not incorporating this information into the planning to identify individual children's targets.

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Improvements since the last inspection

They were asked to monitor staff practice with regard to observations and assessments completed and the planning of activities, to make sure that children are progressing through the stepping stones. There is now a system in place to identify the stepping stones and make sure that children are making progress.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The nursery were asked to extend the opportunities for children to have outdoor play. They now have regular access to an ornamental garden area, where they have outdoor play, this area is currently being developed to extend learning opportunities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The nursery were asked to develop the information to parents about the Early Years curriculum and ensure it is accessible. This information is displayed on the entrance area, and the manager explains to all parents about the areas of learning when they place their children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the previous 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.

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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 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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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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): • review the procedure for dealing with allegations of abuse regarding a member of staff to ensure the wording used is clear for the readers • ensure risk assessments are updated when changes occur and devise an effective procedure for monitoring the hazards identified. • review the behaviour management policy to reflect the practice and include more positive strategies for encouraging good behaviour.

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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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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 the procedures for monitoring and evaluating the quality of the nursery education provided • improve the activity plans to incorporate children's individual developmental needs • ensure all relevant information relating to children's learning is readily available and easily accessible to parents at all times.

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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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