Little Pioneers Nursery and Pre-school Maidenhead

Buffer Bear@Larchfield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Buffer Bear@Larchfield

Unique Reference Number EY298664 Inspection date 23 June 2005 Inspector Christine Cutts

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Buffer Bear@Larchfield

Setting Address Larchfield County Primary School, Bargeman Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 2SG Telephone number 01628 510478 E-mail maidenhead@bufferbear.co.uk Registered person Buffer Bear Limited Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day care

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Buffer Bear@Larchfield

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

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?

2 0-2 rooms 1 2-3 room 1 3-5 room 6 WCs, 10 sinks, 6 nappy-changes For staff: staff room, locker room, WCs, office, kitchen, utility room

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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 satisfactory. The nursery caters for all the children's dietary and religious requirements and all staff are well aware of any child's allergies, ensuring children have healthy and appropriately nutritious meals. The children enjoy the social interaction of joint meal times. Opportunities for children to develop an awareness of healthy eating are part of the dialogue that staff have with the children during snacks and meals. A very comprehensive range of policies and procedures are in place, however not all staff consistently follow good hygiene routines. The children enjoy the very good opportunities to investigate a variety of resources to encourages exploration through their senses and develop their physical skills, using water, sand and a wide variety of sensory toys. Children have the space to move freely inside and outdoors. They increase their physical abilities and develop new skills through accessing and enjoying a good

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Helping children to be healthy

range of large apparatus. For example, children enjoy scrambling in and out of the ball pool, crawling through the tunnel and climbing on the climbing frame.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children have a safe and secure environment, well lit, bright and stimulating in which they have opportunities to enjoy playing and learning with age appropriate and, safe resources. They increase and develop their independence skills as the environment is well organised. Children’s risk of accidental injury is minimised in a very well designed setting, which has good safety and security precautions, such as coded door locks and identification and monitoring of visitors. The staff’s knowledge of health and safety issues and monitoring of the children ensures that they are safe and secure in their play, however not all safety procedure are consistently put into practise by all staff. The children learn to take responsibility for keeping themselves safe, through skilful staff explaining safe practices, such as being careful when moving round the rooms, not to bang heads or climb on the furniture.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff have a good knowledge of child protection issues and observe good practices to ensure the protection of the children.

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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 The provision is good. Children are confident in their environment, most settle happily and are eager to take part in all activities. Children play an active part in the group showing enthusiasm as they make independent choices and select their own toys from a well-presented range of play equipment. Children's self-esteem and sense of achievement are developing, because the staff have very good relationships with the children, joining in their play, guiding and leading their learning, and through praising and encouraging the children’s efforts as well as achievements. The staff show an understanding of the individual development needs of the children, motivating them to become involved in a wide range of developmentally activities, which provide appropriate levels of challenge for the children’s abilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond well to the routine changes in the session, however during changes children can be less well occupied, they are beginning to know the routines and are encouraged to take care of their environment. Very good relationships are evident between staff and children and the staff know the children well nurturing their self of belonging. Children's behaviour is good and sensitive management by staff gives the children the opportunity to develop a sense of right and wrong and the rules of the nursery. Staff working with the children are enthusiastic and promote the children's well being in line with the comprehensive polices and procedures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The staff recognise and acknowledge the children's needs and develop the children's play and learning in an environment that supports them to make progress to match their own developmental needs. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) and staff demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental principles of the code of practice. As a result, staff work together with parents and carers to prepare to meet the children's individual needs. Children benefit from staff who adopt a consistent and positive approach to the management of their behaviour. Most children are developing an understanding of right from wrong, are sensitive to the needs of others, share toys and resources and play well with each other. Children contribute to their own learning, making choices when selecting toys and resources and asking for help when needed. All children have equal access to all the toys and resources of the nursery and the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

rooms are appropriately organised to meet the needs of age ranges they accommodate. Children learn about others through their every day play using a good range of resources that develop children’s understanding of others, including, books, dolls and

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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 puzzles, dressing up clothes and play figures. The children benefit from the close working relationship between parents and staff. Good exchanges of information exist with the staff and parents at pick up and drop of times and with daily books on the children's activities and events as well as their sleeps, feeds and nappy changes. Staff provide a comprehensive range of information about the provision to the parents, including a useful and helpful parent’s notice board.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The excellent organisation of the available space, resources and high staff level ensures that all the children attending have full support and enhances the care of the children attending the nursery. However, the daily routines sometimes lack coherent organisation particularly during changes to activities. Enthusiastic staff, promote the children's well being, offering calm and happy environment where very good relationships, between adults and children are evident. The staff demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of the Standards for full day care, the framework, Birth to three matters and the Foundation Stage. Staff observe children’s developmental learning, and keep detailed records that help them to formulate planning to promote children's progress. This has not yet been fully established in the babies’ room. The staff value parents contributions and work closely with parents and other

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Organisation

agencies to meet the special needs of the children. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities with relevant training and appropriate policies and procedures in place to keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare, however overall consistency in practise is lacking. Overall, the needs of all the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration.

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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

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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 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 staff consistently follow hygiene procedures, with special regard to the milk kitchen. • ensure staff take into account safety issues during the sessions. • ensure all policies and procedures work in practise to organise activities, routines and staff to fully support the children and promote their well-being.

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The quality and standards of the care

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 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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