Ashburton Infant School

North Nibley Playgroup Inspection report for early years provision

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101710 Unique Reference Number 12 July 2007 Inspection date Hilary Elizabeth Tierney Inspector

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North Nibley Village Hall, Innocks Estate, North Nibley, Dursley, GL11 6DP

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E-mail

The Committee of North Nibley Playgroup Registered person Integrated Type of inspection Sessional 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 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?

North Nibley Playgroup opened in 1974. It operates from the main hall, kitchen and toilets of a village hall in North Nibley, Gloucestershire. The playgroup serves the local area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group may provide care for 20 children from the ages two to five years. The group opens Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during school term times. Sessions are from 09.00 until 13.00. There are currently 25 children on roll. This includes 19 funded children. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The group offer support to children attending who have learning disabilities and difficulties. There are no children attending who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Four members of staff work with the children, the play leader has completed a degree in Early Years and other staff have completed early years qualifications to National Vocational Qualification level 2 and 3. The setting receives support from Foundation Stage consultant and the area Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.

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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 good. Children are learning good personal health and hygiene through clear procedures that staff reinforce. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before meals, after being outside and after using the toilet. Paper hand towels are used to help prevent the spread of infection. All necessary paperwork is in place to record any accidents that may occur and any medication that is administered to children. These are shared with parents on the day. However permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment has not been requested from all parents. This may put children at risk. Staff are good role models and help children to understand why they need to wash their hands and keep themselves healthy. During the inspection a member of staff demonstrated to children the impact of eating and ensuring their teeth are cleaned properly, by using disclosure tablets on herself. Children sat enthralled and laughed when the

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Helping children to be healthy

member of staff's teeth turned pink. She then cleaned her teeth and showed the children the results.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to explore and investigate the world around them. Well planned trips are taken to local amenities such as the monument. A trip to a farm was recently taken and children recalled extremely well what they did, saw and the names of the animals. Children play outside regularly in the enclosed nearby outside area. This area has a low impact surface. They climb, ride bikes and use the slide and swings with confidence. Staff join in with the children's play with enthusiasm. During the inspection children were observed using their imagination well with a member of staff pretending they were going in a rocket to Mars. Children delighted in pretending a plastic tunnel was a rocket, as they pulled it up over their heads when the rocket took off.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating. Snacks consist of a variety of fruit and carbohydrate food. These are provided by the parents, who organise what they will bring in that week. This helps to ensure a good variety is provided. During the inspection children were observed eating apples, pineapple, banana, oranges, grapes and warmed muffins. Children sit well and enjoy eating the selection of food on offer. They are able to select for themselves from the plates on the tables. Water and milk is offered at snack time, children are given a choice. Water is easily available for children during the session and they may help themselves from the jug and cups on the tables. Staff remind children through the session to have a drink of water, and when outside the water is taken out, so children may have a drink when playing outside also.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The environment is warm and welcoming. Staff work hard to make the building inviting for children. They organise the equipment well in specific areas for example a writing table and home corner. Displays of children's work are around the room which helps to give children a sense of belonging. Resources are balanced, of good quality and in good condition. These are easily accessible for all children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe as they play. The staff are vigilant and supervise children well at all times. A visitors book is used effectively to help keep children safe. Clear risk assessments are carried out both inside and outside the property. Clear outings procedures are in place and parental permission is obtained before outings are undertaken. Authorised people to collect children

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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 are recorded on the registration forms and any changes noted on the day. Emergency evacuations are practised with children and recorded regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected. Staff have a clear understanding and awareness regarding safeguarding children and have completed appropriate training. Staff are clear about the procedures to follow in the event of having a concern about a child in their care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and enjoy their time at the setting. Staff interact well with children they speak to them clearly and at their level to ensure they understand what they are saying. Staff are enthusiastic and enjoy being with the children. Due to the key worker system working well, staff have built good relationships with children and understand their interests. There is a good balance of adult-led and child-led activities, and staff allow children to make decisions and choices for themselves. For example after circle time children are told what the activities on offer are and asked what they would like to play with. The Birth to three matters framework is used effectively to help the staff plan and evaluate activities to ensure that children are learning and developing. All children take part in activities with enjoyment and excitement. Children sit during story time enthralled at the story being told and enjoying taking part in the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children are excited to learn as they play in the setting. They thoroughly enjoy the activities on offer. Staff have a sound knowledge and understanding of the Foundation Stage and consequently this helps them set good challenges for children. Children are making good progress in all areas of learning, staff use assessment very effectively to help them plan for children's next stages. Staff are enthusiastic as they delivery the activities. They offer clear instructions to children during activities to help them play safely. For example when going to play outside staff ask children why they must walk to the play ground area, children are aware that if they run they may fall and hurt themselves. During the inspection, a member of the community, who regularly comes to the group, plays a piano and accordion as the children sing and dance along. This is a regular event and children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

welcome the gentleman into the group warmly. They are excited when he comes and they choose the music they want him to play. Children sing along happily to the songs he plays.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to make marks and write with a table specifically for writing. This table contains a good variety of equipment for children to use such as staplers, paperclips, a hole punch, pens, paper, rubbers, rulers, a diary and small laptop computer. Children enjoy this area and use it at various stages through the session. During the inspection children are observed making and creating their own work, as a result of going on a farm trip. Children colour in pictures of pigs, cows and goats. They then stick paper and various other items on to them, some children make them into flags. Staff praise them as they do this alone. However towards the end of the activity time children are given a five minute warning to tidy up, some children then decide they want to do a craft activity. Staff tell children they can not as they need to tidy up.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are beginning to learn to share and take turns. They show care and concern for each other and the staff. During the inspection children contently ask the play leader if she is feeling better, because at the beginning of the session she told them she would not be able to speak

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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 much as she has a sore throat. Children are learning about the world around them and how things work. For example a member of staff brings in a foot pump and shows children how this works. Children are then free to play and experiment with this. They use it on each other to blow their hair, then see what it will do to feathers as they blow air through it. They squeal with delight as the feathers blow in the air. A member of staff then helps the children blow plastic eggs along the floor to see how far they will go. Children are very excited as they do this and watch the eggs roll along the floor.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are beginning to learn about the diversity within the community. Staff encourage members of the community to visit the group for example the health visitor, the music teacher and the road safety person. Resources in the group are used well to help children understand about the world around them. Staff support children with learning difficulties and disabilities effectively and work closely with parents to ensure the children's needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. They are polite, confident and caring towards each other and the staff. Staff use effective natural praise and encouragement with the children. Children understand the rules of the group and have contributed to them. These are posted around the room at child's level. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. Children play happily and harmoniously together, they share and take turns with little prompting from staff. The children benefit from the calm, caring approach from staff. Staff are consistent in their approach and put the settings policies into practice effectively. Incidents are recorded and shared with parent, as required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. Children benefit from the very good relationship that has been built with parents. Parents are given good information regarding their child's progress and are invited to contribute to their care. Regular newsletters, parents evenings and questionnaires' ensure parents views are respected. Parents and their children are invited to contribute to the end of year reports that the staff produce and their comments are noted on these. Verbal information is shared as parents collect their child at the end of the session. There are close links with the local school and children visit the school regularly with the help from parents to escort them, and the teacher comes over to play and see the children on a regular basis. Parents spoken to are extremely happy with the care, information and care provided. They understand the procedures to follow in the event of having a complaint. A complaints

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Helping children make a positive contribution

procedure is in place on the parents notice board and systems are in place to record any complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All legally required documentation is in place. The registration certificate is in place and displayed on the notice board which enables parents to see the conditions of registration. Registers are clear and up-to-date, parents sign as they leave and collect their children. Clear policies and procedures are in place and easily accessible for parents. Documentation is stored securely and confidentiality is maintained at all times.

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Organisation

Leadership and management are good. Clear recruitment and effective vetting of staff ensures children are safe when at the setting. Clear induction for new staff ensure they are aware of policies and procedures for the group. The committee offer good support for the staff and

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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 regular committee meetings, staff appraisals and staff meetings are held. Staff have a commitment to improve, they regularly carry out self evaluation and are able to recognise their strengths and weaknesses. Staff work well as a team which helps to ensure they provide good care for the children.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider had four recommendations from the last inspection. These were to improve opportunities for children to develop a positive understanding of disabled people and, where applicable, to value their own minority cultural heritage; make sure that the child protection statement reflects the practice of the setting, and that parents are made aware of staff responsibilities with regard to the reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect; make sure that the operational plan clearly addresses contingencies mentioned in the Children Act Regulations and National Standards, such as lost children, staff induction, notification of serious events and information about Ofsted in the complaints procedure and make sure that the risk assessment covers all areas of the premises.

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Improvements since the last inspection

These have been completed successfully. Resources have been increased and reflect the diversity within the community. Staff now plan to celebrate festivals and posters around the room reflect positive images. The policies and procedures have been updated. There are detailed procedures regarding child protection, lost children, notification of serious events, staff induction, complaints procedure and detailed risk assessments now cover all areas of the premises

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 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 that permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment has been requested from all parents

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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): • ensure children have sufficient time to complete activities through the day

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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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