Rainbow Nursery

Rainbow Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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EY347255 Unique Reference Number 10 July 2007 Inspection date Elaine Simmons Inspector

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Crawley Hospital, West Green Drive, West Green, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 7DH

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E-mail

West Sussex Primary Care Trust 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?

Rainbow Nursery has been registered under its current management since 2007, although it has been an established nursery provision in the local area for many years. It is owned and managed by West Sussex Primary Care Trust and is primarily open to the children of employees of the Trust. The nursery operates from a single storey, detached building in the grounds of Crawley Hospital, Crawley, West Sussex. Children are cared for in a large, open-plan room with separate areas for babies and older children. Toilets, nappy change and hand washing facilities are easily accessible to children. Staff have access to a kitchen, staff room and an office. A fully enclosed garden provides an outside play area which is used throughout the year. The nursery is registered to provide care for 36 children, aged under five years. At present, there are 31 children, aged from birth to four years, on roll. This includes 12 children who receive funding

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

for nursery education. The nursery supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and 15 children who speak English as an additional language. A team of six staff work with the children. Of these, five hold recognised early years qualifications. A team of bank staff provide cover for staff absence.

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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 children benefit from the good hygiene routines used by the staff throughout the nursery. They have well organised routines, for changing nappies and potty training. Staff ensure children remember to wash their hands after toileting and before eating to minimise the spread of infections. A suitable sickness policy is in place and all accidents and medication administered are suitably recorded. However, some accidents records do not have parents' signatures as an acknowledgement. Parents do give permission in advance for the administration of medication but do not sign to acknowledge that it has been given. As a consequence children's well-being is not sufficiently protected. Children's physical health is successfully supported as they play in the garden adjacent to the play room when weather permits. Staff also take them to local parks to play on the fixed equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered breakfast, basic snacks and a light tea prepared by the staff. They are able to access water from a jug available in the play room. Parents provide a packed lunch and staff ensure children eat this at the appropriate time. The staff encourage parents to provide healthy food options and request that ice packs are put into lunch boxes to ensure the food remains fresh and this adequately supports the children's well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The staff provide a secure and safe environment for the children. Children's work is attractively displayed alongside colourful posters making the nursery bright, cheerful and welcoming. There is a good range of toys, equipment and resources that are well maintained and these suitably meet the needs of the children. The staff select toys for the children and put them out for them to play with, providing them with a variety of interesting toys to give the children enjoyment and to promote their learning and development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are given constant supervision by the staff. They follow good procedures to ensure children are safe at all times and ensure proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents. The children's welfare is also effectively supported by the staff's clear understanding of all child protection requirements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have a good range of activities to support their learning and to develop their skills appropriately. The staff help promote their imagination by joining in their play. They provide suitable activities to develop children's sense of touch by giving them different types of fabric to feel. The children really enjoy playing with a piece of net by throwing it up in the air and then looking for it. The staff help them to understand the meaning of something being in front, behind or underneath them as they support their play. Children enjoy listening to stories and singing songs spontaneously. They sit beside each other looking at books and give their own interpretation of the story, telling it their own words. Children have opportunities to play in the garden and enjoy being able to run, climb and play together in the fresh air.

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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 quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. Most staff have a relevant early years qualification. They work together as a supportive team because they all understand the daily routine and their own role. Staff offer a reasonable balanced range of activities to promote children's development and learning. They suitably record children's achievements in their developmental records for the Foundation Stage of learning. The children are happy and settled they play together harmoniously, take turns appropriately and build good relationships with staff. Children are able to dress themselves and go to the toilet alone to attend to their own personal hygiene. However, their independence skills are not always fully supported as staff do not provide opportunities for children to extend these sufficiently.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy listening to stories in small groups or individually with staff. They sit alone and look at books turning the pages appropriately. They respond to songs and other musical activities with enjoyment. They are beginning to link sounds to letters and some can recognise letters in their own name. The children are able to hold a pencil and use it effectively to write or trace their name. They self register at snack time by finding their own name which helps them to recognise letters. The children have occasional opportunities to use the computer with staff support. They enjoy construction activities and join together pieces using cogs and wheels to make their own models. Children can count up to 10 everyday items and are able to recognise some numerals. Staff do not always use opportunities, while children are playing, or during the daily routines, to extend the children's knowledge by asking questions that would challenge

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their thinking. The staff play with the children joining in their imaginative games, especially in the home corner, which the children really enjoy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children play on equipment in the garden and are able to manoeuvre bikes and sit and ride toys around the patio area with confidence and control showing an awareness of space and each other. They can climb and run using their physical skills satisfactorily. Children enjoy creative activities and are proud of their achievements. Staff provide different opportunities for the children to make patterns as they use marbles to roll paint onto the paper.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. The staff clearly understand how to provide equality of opportunity for children. They have good resources that reflect the modern world in which we live. The staff plan activities that include the celebration of festivals from other countries. They ensure all children's individual needs are met and work with parents and other professionals to provide suitable care and activities to support children's development effectively. Children behave well, they generally work harmoniously together and staff help them to negotiate and take turns. The staff have realistic expectations, they use consistent and positive behaviour management techniques and these promote good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is satisfactory. Parents are given sufficient information about the setting. They are provided with an informative prospectus when their child starts and this contains information about the Foundation Stage of education. The parents also receive regular newsletters to keep them advised of the nursery's activities. Parents of very young children are given a daily record sheet describing the activities undertaken and details of their child's day. Staff encourage parents to exchange information with them so that they can provide appropriate individual care for each child.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The staff work together well and form a well organised team. Children are well cared for in a secure, bright and cheerful environment. Adult to child ratios are met and a suitable daily attendance record is maintained detailing the times adults and children are on the premises. Staff provide constant supervision to ensure children are safe at all times. There are suitable policies and procedures in place to ensure the setting is run efficiently and to promote the welfare of the children. However, Ofsted's contact details are not displayed for parents to see and some information on polices has not been updated to meet current registration requirements.

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Organisation

Leadership and management is satisfactory. There is a good recruitment and vetting procedure which contributes towards the children's safety and well-being. Staff have regular appraisals and this enables them to plan future training. However, this is not always adhered to, as some first aid certificates, for members of staff, have already expired and this could lead to having an insufficient number of trained staff available to meet registration requirements. They have regular staff meetings and mini meetings to discuss any changes that are required and to plan activities for the children to suitably promote their development and learning in all areas. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • make sure that enough staff are trained in first aid to ensure that least one member of staff with a current first aid certificate is on the premises or on outings at any one time. • ensure all policies and procedures are kept up to date especially with regard to the complaints policy.

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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 • ensure that all accidents records and any records relating to medication administered are signed appropriately

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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): • provide children with opportunities to develop their independence for example by encouraging and supporting them to pour out their own drinks at snack time. • continue to develop children's mathematical understanding within daily routines

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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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