Busy Bees Day Nursery at Beverley

Leapfrog Day Nursery - Beverley Inspection report for early years provision

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314667 Unique Reference Number 05 September 2007 Inspection date Christine Tipple Inspector

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Butterfly Meadows, Grange Way, Molescroft, Beverley, North Humberside, HU17 9GP

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E-mail

Leapfrog Day Nurseries (Trading) Ltd 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 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?

Leapfrog Day Nursery was registered in October 1998. It is part of a national chain of nurseries which are managed by a private company. The single storey purpose built premises are located on the outskirts of Beverley. Children are cared for in three self contained base units and there is a fully operational kitchen. The nursery serves the town of Beverley and the surrounding areas. There are three enclosed outdoor play areas for the children to access.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The day nursery is registered for a maximum of 108 children under five years. Currently there are 127 children on roll of these 37 receive nursery education funding. The nursery operates Monday to Friday from 07.00 to 19.00 all year round.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are 24 staff working with the children of whom 19 have a childcare qualification at Levels 2 and 3, there are two support staff, a cook and administrator. Currently there is one staff member attending training to achieve a qualification.

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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. All the children in the three units have daily outside activities. This ensures the children have regular fresh air and access to larger equipment and more boisterous activities in relation to their developmental needs. There is a good range of wheeled and sit on ride equipment. The children have good opportunities to climb, balance and extend their physical skills effectively. The babies have some furniture that enables them to pull themselves up and for them to crawl around and have their own space. The range of smaller tools provide the children with activities which enhance other aspects of their physical development. For example, gripping and manipulating materials, to shake a musical instrument or hold a pencil confidently.

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Helping children to be healthy

The pre-school and toddlers manage their personal care very well this is due to the good facilities in place, which are child size and easily accessible. Older children are independent and confident in the purpose of using the bathroom and why it is important to wash their hands, with only the occasional prompt from staff. Younger children are keen to use their flannels to wash their own hands and faces after lunch. Health and hygiene practices in the nursery are managed very well by staff which is effective in minimising cross infection, this is supported with effective policies and procedures. The children know to wear hats and sun cream when outside in the sun. The staff discuss with the children through their activities about healthy bodies through exercise and eating healthy foods.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children greatly benefit from the excellent healthy meals and snacks provided on a daily basis. The menus are displayed and these reflect the seasons of the year to ensure the children experience a range of different vegetables and fruits. Meals provide a good healthy and nutritious balance which are monitored through the nursery management and nutritionist. All the food is prepared on site, home cooked and freshly prepared. The babies have a weaning programme as discussed with parents which is also prepared fresh in the nursery. Children have fish, pasta, meat and vegetables, such a carrots, spinach, peppers and mushrooms. The children enjoy their meals and the cook takes a keen interest in the children's food to ensure they receive the quality and balance they need.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children and parents are made very welcome into a clean and bright environment. Each unit is self contained and is set up to meet and support the developmental and learning needs of the children in each age range. The staff work effectively to ensure children's welfare and safety is maintained and the procedures in place minimise risks and accidents. The range and selection of resources and equipment is well balanced and in good condition and regularly monitored to ensure the quality is maintained to a good standard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is managed efficiently by staff who are vigilant in their approach with the children. There is a nominated health and safety staff member who is responsible to check procedures are followed and relevant daily checks and updates on safety issues are in place. The extensive detail in the risk assessments which include outside and any outings ensure children's welfare is paramount. The promotion of safety with the children is well managed through the activities and resources. The children discuss issues about crossing the road safely. This is also reflected in the children using tools and equipment appropriately and the need to

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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 be aware of each other when playing and to take some responsibility to tidy up. The children take part on a regular basis in the fire evacuation procedure which informs children about an emergency situation at an early age.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The safeguarding of children is well informed by the staff who continue to attend training to update their knowledge. Clear procedures support this which are updated in line with the new legislation. Information and contact details are provided and shared with all parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Babies, toddlers and pre-school children come into the nursery happy and settle quickly into the routines. The range of activities for the younger children provide them with a good selection of play experiences which include being creative with various mediums and textures and singing and stories feature throughout the day for this age group. This supports the children in making connections in what they do. Staff use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to ensure all aspects are included in the children's ongoing development. This promotes self assurance and a sense of belonging and enables the children to be confident with the boundaries and limits in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have daily outside activities, including the babies, to ensure they have fresh air. However, some access to resources for the toddlers in promoting their hand and eye coordination are not fully extended. The baby unit selection of furniture and some aspects of the organisation of the room and resources do not sufficiently extend some of their physical needs. Interaction by staff with the children is good and assists the children in extending their language skills and ability to express themselves effectively. Cuddles and reassurance are well managed by staff which enhance the children's feeling of security and being safe. Evidence of children's progress and development is recorded and shared with parents through the year.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. The well resourced indoor and outdoor areas provide the children with a fun and interesting environment which encourages learning to take place. Staff have a sound knowledge and understanding of the Foundation Stage and how children learn and progress. Children demonstrated a good level of concentration and interest in the activities and resources provided, such as creative, construction and mark making activities. Staff work with the children in groups and one to one, as required for the tasks and their learning needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident in their surroundings and this is effective in developing their independence. The relationships established with staff and peers provide a happy and relaxed environment where the children are able to communicate confidently. Regular opportunities are provided for the children to extend their language skills through the activities and interaction with staff, such as appropriate questioning. The children use a range of tools to mark make which includes chalks and clip boards and large areas to paint outside. Children use numbers throughout their play. They use mathematical language, such as more or less which is reinforced through action songs and when children self regulate at certain activities. Counting to above 10 when playing hide and seek was evident in older children. Children measure height, such as themselves, and weight through baking. They are able to match and compare numbers and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

objects in their activities and games. They use a chart to record the weather and changing seasons.

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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 Children have access to a raised garden area and grow wild flowers and herbs which they take a role in caring for. There are good opportunities for them to explore and investigate the environment around them. Children enjoy making things from junk models to more complex construction tasks. Occasional visitors to the nursery provide the children with insight into the jobs and roles they undertake. Outings in the local community, for example, the farm, also enhance the children's hands on experiences. Children have good access to computers and learning programmes which assist them in their maths and literacy skills. Children have a selection of creative resources and materials which provide a variety to choose from. Outside is being developed as an extension of the inside classroom and the children enjoy this when timetabled.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

However, the children do not have ongoing continuous access to these areas and the resources to enable them to have a more child-led approach to the curriculum.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff in their role as the child's key worker plan and evaluate their ongoing learning which is effective in informing future planning and provide the appropriate support and challenges for each child. Evidence is collated through observations, focused activities, photographs and the children's work.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The staff in each of the units in the nursery know the children well and this benefits them in meeting their individual needs effectively and assists the children to develop a strong sense of self. There is a good range of resources, activities and information displayed which celebrate diversity. Children for whom English is an additional language are well supported and staff work with parents to promote an inclusive environment. A delegated staff member monitors the range of information and resources to ensure these inform staff and children and reflect the activity or celebration appropriately. There are visits in the community and on occasion visitors attend the nursery to extend children's understanding and to reassure, such as the dentist and emergency services. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and this is supported by the caring relationships they have with staff. The older children are familiar with the routines and the expectations about behaviour. They use their manners with only the occasional reminder by the staff. The toddlers are developing their self assurance and are secure and respond with excitement to new experiences. Pre-school children have levels of responsibility, such as to tidy up, share and take turns which provides them with the skill of negotiating with each other. A reward system is in place for the toddlers and pre-school and the children are keen to participate. The children are praised and encouraged in what they do which is effective in building their self-esteem. Staff are sensitive to the children's varying needs and respond positively to a child's who is anxious with cuddles and reassurance.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is good. There is a range of detailed information displayed which cover both the nursery and other related topics of interest. Each unit has a colourful display that informs parents about the activities provided for their children and how these link with the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Foundation Stage. Weekly menus ensure parents know what their children will be eating throughout the day. Contact with their children's key person is welcomed and staff are available daily, as required, for a chat with parents as part of settling in or for ongoing information on how their child is progressing. There are quarterly reports provided for parents by staff on each child in all the units which link to the open evening. Daily sheets and other records enable parents to have good information about their child's day

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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 this provides them with ongoing reassurance. Parents questionnaires are regularly issued to enable the nursery to assess their satisfaction with the nursery, these have been consistently positive. Children's records of attainment and progress are accessible by parents at all times and their comments welcomed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled in the nursery. The routines established in all the units promote an organised and efficient approach by the staff. The children's safety and welfare is well managed by a supportive and committed staff team. There is a key person system in place which is effective and provides a shared approach to cover for staff's absences, such as holidays and sickness. This offers both the children and parents continuity for the children's care and ongoing observations and assessments. The extensive range and detail of the nursery policies and procedures promote a sound and informed approach to all areas of the nursery's practice which are shared with parents. Children's records and other relevant information is reviewed to ensure the details are relevant and up to date and are stored securely and maintain confidentiality. All other documentation is monitored by the management and staff to meet

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Organisation

the operational requirements. The recruitment and selection of staff is managed through the head office human resources department. These are robust in approach to ensure suitability of the staff which includes a clear and recorded induction programme.

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Organisation

Leadership and Management is good. Staff work very well as a team and have been consistent which benefits both the children and their parents. The management and staff provide a shared attitude and approach to the development of the quality of the care and education offered. The training programme in place is drawn from the staff's ongoing appraisal system which links with developments in early years practice. Staff have regular monthly meetings as a full staff team and in individual base units. This provides positive working relationships and ensures staff are informed and involved in the ongoing operations of the nursery. Contributions by the staff and parents are welcomed and valued by the management. The evaluation and monitoring of the nursery provision is carried out on a monthly basis by the operations manager and nursery manager and where applicable action plans are established for improvement and development,

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Organisation

such as the review of the outside play areas. 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

The last care report recommended that the nursery ensure the maintenance in some areas of the nursery were carried out.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The nursery have continued to ensure maintenance is carried out in all areas of the nursery to provide a welcoming and clean environment to parents and children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last funded education report recommended the nursery provide opportunities for the children to develop their creative skills and have access to musical instruments. To extend the children's mathematical knowledge in relation to measurement and comparison.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The staff have sufficiently extended the planning to offer a suitable range of creative opportunities for the children, which includes musical instruments. The provision of resources

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Improvements 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 in place are able to extend the children's mathematical knowledge. They have good opportunities to use measurement, for example, through height, length, and to compare size and shapes through a range of planned activities.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 can be seen 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 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): • develop the organisation of the 0-2 year old unit particularly the furniture for physical development and extending access to resources, in the 2-3 year old unit extend the access to resources for hand and eye co-ordination.

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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): • develop ongoing opportunities throughout the session for children to access resources and equipment both inside and outside which supports a child-led approach to the curriculum.

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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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