Ashington Minors

Ashington Minors Ltd Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346062 Unique Reference Number 15 August 2007 Inspection date Anthea Errington Inspector

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Ashington Minors, Back Sycamore Street, ASHINGTON, Northumberland, NE63 0AH

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E-mail

Ashington Minors Ltd Registered person Childcare 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

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?

Ashington Minors Limited is situated in a purpose built, single-storey childcare building near the centre of Ashington, Northumberland. Ashington Minors Childcare Limited serves both the local and wider area. The provision is open Monday to Friday from 07.00 to 18.30, all year round. It is registered to provide full day care for a maximum of 68 children. It currently provides full day care, sessional care, out of school care and a holiday play scheme, for children under eight years. There are currently 72 children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children have access to four childcare rooms, the outdoor area and the school playing field. The nursery is managed by a manager and deputy manager. They are assisted by 10 childcare staff and the nursery chef. The required level of qualifications are held within the staff group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health requirements are sufficiently met as most staff hold a valid first aid qualification and a fully stocked first aid kit is in place. A clear policy is in place regarding the admission of

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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 sick children, which helps to minimise the risk of cross-infection and, therefore, safeguards children's health. Relevant accident and medication recording systems are in place and are fully completed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The good adult support and guidance helps children gain an understanding of hygiene routines and a desire to be independent in their personal care. For example, children independently access the bathroom at appropriate times, such as before meals and following craft activities. The provision of liquid soap and paper towels reduces the risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy and nutritious diet; fresh fruit and vegetables are provided on a daily basis. Fresh drinking water is readily available in the outdoor play area and older children help themselves when they become hot and thirsty. Snack time is seen as a social occasion where children and staff sit together, chatting and enjoying each other's company. However, children's independence is not consistently encouraged as they are not all given sufficient cutlery to help themselves and also are not given the opportunity to serve one another.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in a range of physical activities outdoors that further contribute to their good health. Children are given lots of positive encouragement by staff as they pass and catch balls. They laugh and cheer displaying pride in their achievement. Children chatter with excitement as they interact with one another whilst playing with the parachute.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The staff have a good regard for children's safety and have comprehensive policies and procedures in place. Staff ensure the premises are safe and secure so that children are well protected. For example, office staff monitor visitors to the building who are asked to sign a visitors book and display a visitors badge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are extremely welcoming and mainly organised for children to use safely. Children are encouraged to be aware of safety both indoors and outdoors. They can access most childcare areas safely with good supervision by staff. However, litter and debris within the outdoor area are a hazard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have sufficient room indoors to move around freely. They make choices from the activities which are organised into various areas to accommodate suitable age-appropriate activities. Babies' and younger children's safety is considered with the use of appropriate resources, such as cots, high chairs and low feeding chairs. These are regularly checked to ensure they are safe and suitable for their purpose.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted by staff who have a very good understanding of safeguarding children procedures and their role in protecting the children in their care. Staff have completed relevant training, are well supported by managers and have comprehensive policies and procedures in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are respected and valued as individuals; their needs and preferences are thoughtfully incorporated into the effective planning and organisation of the daily routine.

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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 School age children's independence is developed well as they plan activities together in their group from the good range of resources available to them. Staff communicate and interact extremely well with them. Children are given good opportunities to explore and develop their imagination as they discover snails in the garden. They work well together as a group developing their social skills as they build habitats for the snails using grass, leaves and containers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are motivated, enthusiastic and happy in their play, through the staff members providing a good standard of care. They receive purposeful attention which helps to develop their confidence and feelings of self-worth, ensuring that they feel good about themselves and their abilities. The children's social skills are being further developed as they confidently interact with their peers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Nursery children use a range of art and craft materials in various ways to make interesting pictures. For example, they thoroughly enjoy a painting activity and describe the 'racing cars' and 'houses' they have painted. Some children place toy bricks into the paints and are fascinated by the shapes they create. Staff skilfully question the children to encourage their learning, for example, they ask the children to describe the shapes and colours they have created. Children are confident in their responses and state 'It is a blue racing car' and 'Look at the round wheels'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Staff work sufficiently with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met. Children are valued and respected as individuals and staff aim to ensure all children feel welcome, happy and settled in the provision. Staff members display a positive attitude towards equality of opportunity and a written policy is in place. Children are given the opportunity to learn and understand equality and diversity from the appropriate range of resources and planned activities available to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The nursery staff display a good knowledge and understanding of caring for children with additional needs and a detailed policy is in place with a nominated special educational needs coordinator. They liaise well with parents and other agencies to ensure that children have their needs met and progress well in their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children interact very well with the staff members, who skilfully and purposefully make use of praise and encouragement. Staff use star charts to reward children, which helps to further develop good behaviour and self-esteem. Children are happy and relaxed in the calm atmosphere of the nursery and they respond well to guidance from staff. For example, whilst applying sun cream, staff initiate a singing game to prevent the children from becoming bored and distracted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents are good. Staff and parents have a friendly rapport and information is shared and obtained, so children are effectively cared for. Parents are extremely positive about the good quality care their children receive. Staff are very friendly and approachable; they are always willing to spend time talking to parents and responding to any questions or queries. A satisfactory range of information is displayed on the parents noticeboards and they receive regular newsletters. To further improve communication, parents are invited to an open evening to discuss the care their child receives. They have access to their child's drawer containing completed activities and nursery plans are clearly displayed within the childcare rooms.

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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. Children fully benefit from the well planned, organised setting and from the positive attitude staff display to further training and development. The managers offer good support and motivation to help build the committed and positive staff team. Staff are motivated and display a professional approach to their work and the daily care of the children. This is reflected in the service provided, the well-organised childcare areas and in the good range of quality resources and equipment provided.

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Organisation

The nursery is aware of the need to maintain, display and keep documentation. Good procedures are in place to ensure new staff, students and volunteers are aware of what is expected of them. Staff work well together, therefore, children are happy and are cared for in a stimulating and caring environment. Most documentation is in place which is discussed with parents to keep them fully informed of their child's care.

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Organisation

The grouping of children and the effective deployment of staff reflects and meets children's individual needs. For example, babies are cared for in a separate room to ensure they can move around safely. School aged children have access to their own room and independently access resources with support and supervision from staff members.

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Organisation

A record of attendance is kept to ensure correct staff and child ratios are maintained.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the 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

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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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):

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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 children have access to sufficient cutlery to enable good hygiene practices to be followed • ensure outdoor play areas are free from litter before children's use.

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The quality and standards of the care

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 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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