Horsley Hill Childrens Centre

Horsley Hill Childrens Centre Inspection report for early years provision

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EY341873 Unique Reference Number 24 July 2007 Inspection date Cathryn Parry Inspector

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Notham Avenue, South Sheilds, Tyne & Wear, NE34 7TD Setting Address

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0191 424 4866 Telephone number maureen.sheekey@southtyneside.gov.uk E-mail South Tyneside Council; Children & Young People Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care, Crèche Type of care

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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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Horsley Hill Children's Centre was registered in 2006 to serve the local area. The centre comprises a day nursery, which is open each weekday for 50 weeks of the year from 08.00 to 18.00; a crèche to support parents and carers attending the centre, and a variety of courses and drop-in support groups for parents, carers and their families. All services are housed in a new purpose-built building with outdoor play areas for the children. There are currently 17 children on roll. The crèche offers a maximum of 12 places and operates as required, to support various adult groups that meet at the centre. Seaview Primary School governing body has a service level agreement with the local authority, and oversees the operations of the centre, including the management of the budget and recruitment of staff. There is an overall centre manager who is supported by a management team, which includes the day nursery manager, a senior

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

nursery officer and the headteacher of Seaview Primary School. There are five staff who work with the children in the day nursery. All of the staff have early years qualifications to National Vocational Qualification Level 3. Additional staff can be called on to work when the crèche is operating.

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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 flourish as they access good opportunities for physical play. These include using the soft playroom, riding tricycles and participating in balancing activities. Children are active or restful through choice and babies sleep in line with their individual needs and parents' and carers' wishes. A varied menu encourages children to have a good awareness of healthy meal options and the opportunity to try new foods. These include malt loaf, fish pie and broth. Children have free access to their individually named water bottles, which has a positive impact on their overall health. Systems are in place to gather information with regard to special dietary needs. These are implemented effectively, which ensures children's individual needs are met completely.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health is maintained and the risk of infection minimised as the premises and equipment are clean. Daily cleaners are employed as well as staff washing toys and resources. Children are learning good personal hygiene practices through consistent routines and positive role modelling. Brushing teeth after lunch and hand washing forms an integral part of their day. A clear sickness policy offers parents and carers information about exclusion periods for children who are unwell. This ensures the risk of infection and illness is reduced. Children are assured of receiving appropriate care and treatment if they have accidents as all staff are qualified in first aid.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are made welcoming and friendly to children, parents and carers. All of the playrooms have windows, which ensure they are suitably ventilated. Children aged over two years have the added benefit of the windows being low level. Consequently, they enjoy natural light and can see outside whilst playing indoors. Children are safeguarded well as the centre is secure at all times. This is supplemented with effective procedures for adults collecting children, including a receptionist being employed and the use of passwords. They are able to explore confidently using high quality resources appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children participate in activities fully as furniture and equipment are of an appropriate size. Their knowledge about personal safety is encouraged by gentle reminders from staff to pick up toys so they do not trip and fire drill practices. This positively contributes to children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

developing a sense of danger and how to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Groups of children can play and eat together as there are a sufficient number of child sized chairs and tables in each room. This has a positive impact on promoting social skills. All safety equipment is in place, including smoke detectors and electrical socket covers. This is complemented by staff responding positively to risks. An example of this is where they close low level windows when children are playing out so they do not bump into them. All staff have attended relevant child protection training and demonstrate a sound understanding of associated issues. This has a positive impact on children's well-being. All required procedures and documentation are in place to ensure that children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Staff offer good levels of help and support to ensure that all children receive maximum enjoyment out of the activities provided. Children are engaged in a range of experiences, which are suitable for their age and stage of development. These include playing with small wooden vehicles, exploring the sand and building with plastic bricks. Their self-esteem and a sense of belonging are encouraged as their paintings and photographs are widely displayed within the setting. Staff are enthusiastic and activities are undertaken with a sense of fun. An example of this is where they play with the cornflour and water. Children delight in using their imagination as they experiment with a range of scarves. They show an awareness of shape as they complete puzzles and make patterns with small pegs and boards.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children up to the age of three make good progress as staff have a sound understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. This is complemented with staff liaising closely with the school to offer an appropriate curriculum for the older children, which is linked to the Foundation Stage. Each child has an individual developmental file, which is regularly completed. Staff have a secure knowledge of their key children and plan and provide activities that will meet their needs and interests. Children’s communication skills are fostered effectively, resulting in good interactions between themselves and staff. They have a growing understanding of the world they live in through a range of well-planned experiences, such as gardening. Babies’ interest is encouraged through a wide variety of manmade and natural resources. Children are able to make their own choices and select their own materials and activities. This motivates

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

them to learn and sustains their interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. A short induction period, which is tailored to meet individual children and their family’s needs, is effectively implemented. Positive role modelling by staff and a wide range of resources regarding different cultures encourage children’s growing knowledge of equal opportunities. However, there are limited resources showing positive images of people with disabilities. This has a negative impact on raising children's awareness and understanding of difference. The manager has over 14 years experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She demonstrates a very positive attitude to providing an inclusive environment. This is complemented with the centre employing an experienced outreach worker, who visits families in their own homes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective partnership with parents and carers ensures individual needs are met well, which promotes stability. They are informed of their child's day at the centre both verbally and with written diaries. A family fun day, which included a visit from staff and animals from Whitehouse Farm, has taken place. This encourages parents, carers and other members of the community to enjoy the setting. The staff's good understanding of individual personalities and the implementation of consistent behaviour management strategies ensures children understand right from wrong. All children's independence is developing well as they access baskets of interesting and safe materials easily and freely.

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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 good. Children’s play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources. Each room is arranged so that children can play alone or with others. Staff are purposefully deployed, enabling children to participate independently and in groups. There are quiet areas so they can sleep or rest as required. The routine is flexible incorporating time for play outside. Resources are attractively displayed, which inspires children to participate.

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Organisation

Robust recruitment and vetting procedures ensure children are well protected. Suitably qualified staff with a range of experiences have a positive impact on the quality of care provided. This is complemented with their ongoing commitment to training. Staff show a raised awareness of the effect of activities and experiences on children’s overall development. This has a positive impact on children fulfilling their potential. Relevant policies and procedures are in place and stored in the office to maintain confidentiality.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to further develop the bathroom area to enable children to easily flush toilets and access hand drying facilities. They were also requested to continue to develop resources, including those regarding equal opportunities, and to ensure fire evacuation procedures are displayed within the childcare rooms. The bathroom area has now been further developed, which has a positive impact on promoting children's self-help skills. Generally resources have been developed throughout the nursery and this is still ongoing. Consequently, children access a wider range of experiences. Fire evacuation procedures are displayed in each room, which has a positive impact on safeguarding children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received one complaint relating to: National Standard 1, Suitable person; National Standard 11, Behaviour; and National Standard 13, Child protection. This involved an allegation made about the actions of crèche staff at the centre in March 2007. Ofsted investigated the concern and an action was raised. As a result the provider reviewed the procedure for ensuring the suitability of crèche workers to care for children. Ofsted was satisfied that by taking this step the provider met the National Standards and remained qualified for registration at the time the investigation was closed. 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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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

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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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • continue to develop equal opportunities resources showing positive images of people with disabilities.

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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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