Nidderdale Children's Day Nursery

Nidderdale Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Nidderdale Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY289053 Inspection date 15 August 2005 Inspector Cynthia Walker

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Nidderdale Nursery

Setting Address Lingerfield Playing Field, Low Moor Lane, Lingerfield, Scotton, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 9JN Telephone number 01423 862192 E-mail info@kidsatheart.co.uk Registered person Kids At Heart Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Full day care

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Nidderdale Nursery

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?

Nidderdale Nursery was registered to provide day care in 2004. The nursery is open five days a week from 07.30 until 18.30, and offers full day care for children aged 3 months to 5 years. Currently 137 children attend the group throughout the week. They are drawn from the local area and wider community. Children attend for a variety of sessions. Thirty three children receive funding for nursery education; all are aged 3 years. The

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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 nursery supports children with special needs. The nursery is based in a purpose built unit and has the use of six playrooms and supporting kitchen, sleep rooms, toilets and storage. There is access to a large secure outdoor play area at the rear of the property. Twenty three staff work in the nursery. Over half the staff hold relevant qualifications and nine staff are working towards relevant qualifications. The group receives the support of the Local Authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of physical activities through daily access to the large outdoor play area. This area is divided to allow younger children to confidently acquire physical skills within a safe separate area. Younger children are perfecting their physical skills as they enjoy using a small climbing frame, and improving their control of wheeled toys. Older children are successfully negotiating space as they participate in an enthusiastic game of 'Mr Wolf.' Their competence in using large climbing equipment is very good as they slide independently and develop their climbing and balancing skills. Children are well nourished. They enjoy a variety of good nutritious meals and snacks which include a good selection of fruit and vegetables. During discussions at snack time older children demonstrate a good understanding 'that fruit makes them strong and healthy.' However, although drinks are offered if the weather is hot and

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Helping children to be healthy

with food, children are not able to access fresh drinking water independently at all times. Children's dietary requirements are discussed with parents and efficiently recorded enabling all staff to ensure their individual needs are well met. Children are developing an appropriate understanding of personal hygiene as they are encouraged to wash hands after toileting and before meals. Detailed information from parents on their children's daily routines is used to ensure they receive effective rest or sleep.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, safe and secure environment where risks are identified and minimised. The nursery is welcoming to children with attractive displays in all areas including pictures, such as mermaids in the bathrooms. Clear explanations on how to use the banisters as they carefully go downstairs enables children to develop a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. This is reinforced for the older children by interesting visits from the local fire fighters. Most play areas are creatively arranged to allow children to move spontaneously and

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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 independently around all areas of play and learning. Staff are ensuring the safety of the younger children whilst not inhibiting their risk taking. Children are accessing a wide range of resources which actively support all children's ages and stages of development. Children's welfare is well promoted by the staff's secure understanding of child protection procedures which are in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time in nursery and arrive happy and eager to participate. Younger children are making good progress because the nursery are effectively developing their understanding of the needs of children under 3 years. Regular detailed observations of children's individual progress are being implemented and information from these is being developed to inform future planning. Children acquire new knowledge and skills as they join in a wide range of stimulating and appropriate activities. For example, showing delight in sensory exploration as they knead dough to make their own bread buns for a snack. Children are able to make choices as staff introduce resources to stimulate their interest, such as shakers, balls and tubes. They are developing simple social skills through close and caring relationships. Children confidently participate in an enthusiastic music session using a good selection of instruments, with children selecting the songs to sing. They

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enjoy experimenting with water as they test how much is needed to fill the tractor trailer in the outdoor area. School age children actively participate in a good range of activities which are extended to fit their individual needs. Nursery Education The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children make good progress because the unit head has a secure understanding of the early learning goals which she uses to effectively support her staff team. They plan a good range of interesting activities which supports most areas of learning. However, planning is not fully evaluated to ensure that all stepping stones have been identified and does not include adaptations for different levels of ability. Information on children's assessments is shared with staff in each area as children progress through the nursery and this gives staff good insight into the children's starting points. Staff have a clear understanding of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

individual children's achievements, and use their next steps for learning to effectively guide future planning. A good range of teaching methods are used and the staff's skilful use of questioning and sensitive support effectively stimulates children's learning. Although the rooms are set out into separate learning areas the overall organisation of the rooms inhibits children's spontaneity and limits children's access to all areas of learning. All children are motivated to learn and are interested in the broad range of activities available. They have very good communication skills; confidently using language to negotiate as they assemble a rocket ship or question the leader on her recent

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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 holiday. Children persist at their play for long periods of time and concentrate intently as they assemble a variety of construction items. Children's ability to recognise names and letters is well developed with the good use of name cards and the use of a simple register to access the undersea area. All children use marks to represent their ideas, with older children able to form recognisable letters and write their names on their pictures. Children reinforce their counting skills within activities, such as counting the legs of an octopus. However, children are not able to extend their understanding of simple calculation. Children enthusiastically explore and investigate the garden, looking for insects and mini beasts with the support of a magnifying glass; describing a worm as being 'wet and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

juicy'. They are imaginative, pretending to be cats in the role play area with other children pretending to care and feed them using small round construction pieces for food. Children have established effective relationships and work harmoniously together, sharing resources at play dough and taking turns at card games. They show affection for each other, putting arms around each other as they go outside and demonstrate sensitivity to the younger children as they gently push a child on a small swing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well cared for by staff who actively work with parents to meet individual children's needs. Detailed daily routines are obtained from parents as younger children join the nursery and these are supported by informative daily parent record sheets directly linked to their key workers for all younger children. Children with special needs receive effective support from a sensitive and caring staff team and are progressing well. The behaviour is good. Children respond to the clear and sensitive explanations from staff and have a good understanding of the behaviour codes of the nursery, especially at story time. They play harmoniously together and are encouraged to share, take turns and have good manners. Younger children are developing self assurance through close and caring relationships. There is a good range of resources and displays that actively promote children's understanding of diversity. Activities, such as fruits from around the world, are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

effectively supporting children's learning of the world around them. Children have good opportunities to learn about the community they live in through planned activities. The staff team reflects positive role models which encourages all children to be involved in all areas of play. The nursery fosters children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development appropriately. The partnership with parents is good. Parents are actively welcomed into the nursery and receive effective information about the setting through a detailed prospectus, informative notice boards and regular newsletters. Staff have established both formal and informal processes to share information on their children's learning. Parents are invited to open evenings twice a year and the key workers regularly discuss

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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 children's progress. A detailed activity sheet linked to the planned topics enables parents to be aware of the opportunities for children's learning within the home.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All legally required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well being is in place. This is supported by a detailed operational plan which includes clear policies and procedures which are reflected in daily practice. Efficient procedures are in place for the recruitment and induction of staff ensuring children are well protected. Space within most areas of the nursery is well organised, enabling children to be cared for in smaller units and allowing them to take an active part in the setting. This is supported by good outdoor facilities which enhances the play opportunities for children. Leadership and management is good. There are effective procedures in place to ensure staff have a clear understanding of their roles. Unit heads meet weekly and cascade information to the staff team supported by full staff meetings to maintain consistency in improving outcomes for children. A rigorous appraisal system is linked

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Organisation

to future training needs and individual staff training files are being developed. The nursery liaise closely with advisors from the local authority to improve the quality of education for children they are providing. The nursery regularly seeks the opinions of parents through questionnaires, however, as highlighted in enjoying and achieving, overall planning is not evaluated. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At last inspection there were three recommendations relating to the recording of children's attendance, clarity of medication records and the organisation of resources. Children's safety is effectively maintained by the clear and accurate recording of the arrival and departure of all children. Medication records include parent's signatures which actively promotes the health of children. Resources are well organised enabling children to make independent choices to support learning.

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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

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND 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 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 that fresh drinking water is available to children at all times.

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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): • review the organisation and presentation of the areas used for learning to enable children to make as much progress as they can • review the planned programme of activities to incorporate the different stages of learning and extend evaluation to ensure all the stepping stones are included.

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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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