Little VIP's Daycare

Little VIP's Daycare

Inspection report for early years provision

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Little VIP's Daycare

Unique Reference Number EY222262 Inspection date 26 July 2005 Inspector Christine Tipple

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Little VIP's Daycare

Setting Address Pheasant Bush Cottage, Hackthorpe, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2HX Telephone number 01931 712 912

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E-mail

Registered person Little VIP's Daycare Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Full day 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 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?

Little VIP's Day Nursery has been registered since 2002. It operates from converted premises, which consist of four playrooms on three levels. There are two enclosed outside play areas. The nursery is located in the village of Hackthorpe, which is in the Eden Vale and serves a wide rural community. The nursery is registered for a maximum of 24 children aged from birth to under five years old, of whom no more than six are under two years old. There are currently 58

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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 children on roll; of these 9 are in receipt of nursery education funding. Children attend for a variety of sessions. There are children attending with special needs. There are currently no children attending with English as an additional language. The nursery is open five days a week, all year round, except bank holidays. It is open from 08.00 to 18.00. There are seven staff work who work with the children on a full and part-time basis. All have early years qualifications. The setting receives support from the Local Authority. They are members of the National Day Nurseries Association and have completed the "Quality Counts" accreditation scheme.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their health in a positive way. Children are responsive to the routines in place. These are effective in promoting good hygiene practices. For example, the children wash their hands throughout the day after activities and personal care. The children access their own toothbrush and mug after lunch and clean their teeth competently. Children are cared for in an environment which is clean and staff take all reasonable steps to minimise cross infection. Children in all areas of the nursery have daily opportunities to practise their physical skills. They have a good selection of outdoor equipment. These enable the children to climb, balance and manage obstacles effectively. Children are confident in trying new skills and to ask for help, for example, using pedals on the sit-and-ride equipment. Younger children and the babies have good opportunities to use the

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Helping children to be healthy

outside for play and exercise. Inside there are good facilities for them to pull themselves up and to move around the furniture with confidence. All the children have access to a varied range and selection of tools and equipment that develop and extend their physical skills effectively. The children have an excellent variety of healthy snacks provided on a daily basis. They have a variety of fruit, which gives the children opportunities to taste different types, such as kiwi and mango. They have vegetables with dips and varied breads. The nursery supports the local produce of the area. There is a water cooler for children to access for drinks at all times and milk is provided daily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The children are cared for in an environment which offers well planned areas with excellent facilities to actively meet the children needs very well. Staff have a very good understanding of safety and security, this is promoted effectively through the clear and detailed policy and procedures. Comprehensive risk assessments are

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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 carried out both for inside the building and out, and for all outings organised for the children. All positive steps are taken to promote safety with the children and to raise their awareness. Very good use has been made by the staff of the local police, fire and health services. They have been actively involved with the children. For example, the children use safety hats on their bikes, they understand the need to use their seat belt in the car. The children have regular opportunities to practise road safety, to "stop, look and listen". The children have freedom to take risks in their play whilst learning effectively about the dangers and how to keep safe. There is a very good selection and range of toys and equipment that are of excellent quality. These are well set out for the children to access and to encourage and promote their

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

independence overall. Children are well protected by staff who have a good understanding of child protection issues. There are detailed procedures in place to ensure children's welfare and safety is paramount at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met very well. They are happy and relaxed in their surroundings. Staff have developed close and supportive relationships with the children through the key worker system. The staff are a consistent team from when the nursery opened. They are motivated and have a real interest in the children. They value and respect their individuality and routines. The children under three years old have a range of activities that link very effectively to the Birth to three matters framework. This provides them with a variety of positive creative experiences, music and tactile resources. However, the children over two years old are at times too directed by staff to extend their creative play independently, in selecting resources and to practise their ideas and skills. The children overall are actively making connections and attributing meaning to their environment, which links well to being a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

skilful communicator and competent learner. Nursery Education. The teaching and learning are good. Staff have a good understanding of the Foundation Stage curriculum and the stepping stones. They plan and provide a sound and effective range of activities and challenges for the pre-school children. The space and facilities are well organised and are supported with very good resources and equipment. Staff use a good range of teaching methods with the children and group them effectively. Children are keen to learn and are interested in their play, they are confident to try new experiences. They listen to stories and communicate confidently with each other and with staff. The more able children are developing their mark making skills and the recognition of letters and sounds. Children, both younger and older, play co-operatively and are able to concentrate and follow simple rules effectively. For example, they use the stairs safely, share and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

tidy up. Children have very good opportunities to use their imagination through the role play area and the range of resources offered. This has been a vets surgery, a

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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 hospital and an optician's shop. Children have various experiences in their creative play. This is provided through a range of media, the use of paints, collages, construction and larger models, such as a Chinese dragon. Children are gaining confidence in their mathematical language and the use of numbers in their play, such as counting to ten and higher for the more able children. They are able to manage simple problems. For example, when the children set out the plates at snack time and there are too many, they are confident in their responses when asked "how many to take away?". Staff extend this with the children through number games and sorting activities to challenge the more able children. They use positional language in their play and are aware of weight and length. This is

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

linked to the use of height charts and scales. Children have excellent opportunities to explore and investigate their surroundings through their own outside areas and local visits and outings. There are positive resources in place which promote the wider world. Visitors are welcome to come to the nursery and talk with the children on a regular basis. These visits offer them extended learning experiences. All the children have regular use of the computer and other various programmable equipment in their everyday activities. The assessment of the children is shared by all the staff in their key worker role. These assessments are detailed and provide comprehensive information. Staff know the children and their individual needs very well. However, the evaluation of the focus activities does not always clearly identify the children's individual progress and attainment and how this informs future planning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The nursery is well organised and parents and children are welcomed. Children's individual needs are supported and nurtured effectively. Children learn about the wider world and themselves through activities and resources that promote diversity and difference. Children have good opportunities to regularly visit the local area to enhance their understanding of community. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered satisfactorily. Children's behaviour is very good. Staff have realistic expectations and the boundaries and routines in place are age appropriate. The children manage these very well. Staff provide the children with positive role models in their behaviour and attitude towards them. Staff are sensitive and caring in their approach. Children share and take turns well and are able to help each other with tasks, such as passing resources, putting on coats and dressing up clothes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is outstanding. The nursery has robust and effective policies and procedures, which promote the children's safety and well being. The key worker system gives parents a consistent contact on a daily basis. Staff provide comprehensive daily sheets which keep parents informed on all aspects of their children's care and education. Monthly newsletters are sent out which give clear details on all activities and other relevant news. This gives parents the opportunity to contribute to what is being provided, which recognises the link with home. Detailed

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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 and comprehensive information on their children's progress and attainment is established through quarterly reports. The staff have open evenings twice a year where parents can view their children's work and talk with staff more fully about what their child is doing at nursery. Questionnaires have been set up by the nursery. These enable parents to put their views and ideas forward. The response was very good and provided positive comments. Parents are confident in the quality of care their children receive. The nursery also offers parents a home visit prior to their child starting. An information sheet is also used to give staff details about the child's routines, likes and dislikes. This offers parents an excellent opportunity to be supported and to work in partnership with staff to ensure their children are happy and settled.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's care and education is enhanced by the effective and efficient management of the nursery. Staff work well as a team and have been consistent since the nursery opened. Staff ratios are high, which offers ongoing and appropriate support for children's individual needs. The organisation of the nursery in all areas enables children to move around safely and to access the positive range of resources and activities provided. The leadership and management is good. Children benefit from a qualified and committed staff team. An effective induction programme is in place and staff are supported through the appraisal system to identify ongoing training and individual self development. Staff ensure the policies and procedures in place are consistently applied and reviewed as required. They work together to monitor and improve the quality of care and education offered to all the children. Overall the provision meets

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the provider should: improve safety of access to the garden area; improve the daily attendance records; and increase key staff's knowledge of child protection issues.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The nursery has raised the height of the fence in the lower outside play area to ensure children cannot access the rockery area of the garden. Staff have established a daily record of the times of arrival and departure of both children and staff. This ensures an accurate account of all those on the premises at any time. Key staff have attended additional child protection training to enhance their skills and knowledge in protecting the welfare and safety of the children.

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Complaints 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 There are no complaints to report.

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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 a balance between adult and child-initiated activities, to enable children to develop independently their creative skills and ideas through practise, and the ongoing selection of resources (also applies to nursery education).

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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): • extend the evaluation of activities to include more detail about individual children's progress and attainment, and how this links to future planning.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 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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