Emneth Nursery School

Emneth Nursery School Inspection report for early years provision

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EY276003 Unique Reference Number 31 October 2007 Inspection date Melanie Calway Inspector

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Hollycroft Road, Emneth, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE14 8AY Setting Address

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01945 582401 Telephone number head@emneth.nur.sch.uk E-mail Emneth Nursery School 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?

Emneth Nursery School and Children's Centre was registered as a Neighbourhood Nursery in 2004 and became a Sure Start Children's Centre in 2005. It operates from purpose-built premises in Emneth, Norfolk, next to the local primary school. A maximum of 37 children may attend the centre at any one time and a maximum of 16 children may attend the crèche, when it is running, which is held in the Bramleys room. The centre comprises a day nursery, which is open each week day from 8.00 to 18.00 for 48 weeks of the year; a nursery class; a breakfast, lunch and tea club as well as a variety of courses and drop-in support groups for parents, carers and their families.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

All services are housed in a purpose-built building with outdoor play areas for the children. There are currently 88 children aged from three months to five years on roll. Of these, 65 receive free early years education. The setting welcomes children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those with English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A board of governors oversees the operations of the centre, including the management of the budget and recruitment of staff. The school is managed by the head teacher who is supported by a management team, which includes the head of inclusion, the head of community services, the head of integrated day care and the school business manager. There are 19 staff who work

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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 with the children receiving day care and with the children in the nursery class. Over half the staff have early years qualifications and four staff have teaching qualifications, including the head teacher. A cook, clerical assistant and site manager also work within the setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's good health is effectively promoted because there are rigorous hygiene procedures in place. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet and so are learning about good hygiene through the daily routine. Low level sinks are available in all areas so that children can be independent and low level paper towel dispensers ensure that even the youngest children can dry their hands independently. The provision of individual paper towels minimises the risk of cross-infection. There is a clear protocol for the changing of nappies which staff follow to ensure that good hygiene practice is observed. A well designed nappy-changing area is supplied with all the necessary equipment and staff make the experience pleasant for children by chatting to them while they are changed. A staff nurse from a local health team is employed as part of the nursery team and advises other members of staff on

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Helping children to be healthy

issues such as the amount of cream to be applied. Home visits are used to make parents aware of health issues and children are encouraged to learn about healthy practices. Additional services such as baby massage and the baby café provide opportunities for parents to seek advice on health matters and diet in order to benefit the children through a greater understanding of healthy practices.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's medical needs are met as staff are enrolled in a rolling programme of first aid training to ensure that there are always staff qualified in first aid and a staff member is nominated for first aid in each area. First aid kits are available so that minor accidents and injuries can be treated appropriately. An accurate record of all accidents is maintained. Possible head injuries are highlighted and parents contacted if necessary. The accident records are shared with parents. There is a system for recording the administration of medicines and consent has been obtained from parents in the contracts to seek emergency treatment or advice so that help can be sought in the event of an emergency. Children are protected from the risk of infection as there is a clear procedure on excluding children who are infectious.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children can rest and sleep according to their needs. There is a sleep room which is well equipped with cots and individual bedding for each child. There are clear guidelines for staff on dealing with children's sleep times and sleeping children are checked at ten minute intervals. In addition there are soft areas where children can rest on cushions and in the 'Orchard' room there is soft seating in the book area. Children have excellent opportunities for exercise and fresh air as they have free access to an exciting and stimulating outdoor environment throughout the day. Children are encouraged to make use of the outdoor areas in all weathers. Inside they also have space to move freely and toddlers benefit from the steps and ramp in the 'Discoveries' area which they use to pull themselves up and develop their large motor skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are extremely well nourished. A healthy breakfast and snack tea are offered. Snacks of fresh fruit and vegetables are provided during the day and children are involved in growing and preparing some of the food. Children enjoy the excellent, nutritious, hot lunch which is provided for them and adults eat their lunches with the children, providing good role models and ensuring that lunch is a pleasant social occasion. A small number of children bring packed lunches. The setting is pro-active in encouraging parents to take up the hot lunch option by

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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 explaining the health benefits and has set up a working party to review the provision of packed lunches to ensure it also promotes the good health of children. Healthy drinks of milk and water are offered at snack time and children have independent access to fresh drinking water at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in premises which are safe and suitable. There are good security systems in place to prevent unauthorised persons accessing children. The main door is protected by a key pad lock and buzzer system. There is a system for recording visitors and clear guidelines on managing visitors. Children are only released into the care of persons indicated by the parents and known to the nursery. The indoor and outdoor environment is attractive and stimulating and is therefore welcoming to children and their families. Attractive displays of the children's work also make the environment welcoming. There is a good range of high quality toys and equipment which children can access independently. Toys are checked regularly for hygiene and safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe as staff are well deployed to give children a good level of supervision. Children can move freely within the 'Orchards' and 'Discoveries' areas. Staff ensure that they communicate with each other if they need extra support. Doors between the two main areas and into the corridors are protected by high locks to minimise the risk of children getting out. Safety checks are carried out on the environment every morning before children arrive and there is an on-going risk assessment system in order to identify and minimise possible hazards. Staff are made aware of their responsibilities as regards to safety through induction and in-service training. Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe as staff introduce safety issues with them. For example when using tools they might not be used to or with particular activities. Children are protected from the risk of fire as the fire evacuation plan is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

displayed clearly by the exits. Regular drills are held so that children learn what to do in the event of a fire. There is an evacuation cot for sleeping children. There are procedures in place to keep children safe on outings and a policy for children who are uncollected. However the policy on lost children does not provide sufficient detail to give staff clear guidelines as to what to do in this eventuality.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as staff have a good understanding of the setting's child protection procedures. Staff are aware of their responsibility to report any concerns to the nominated person.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enter the setting confidently and settle quickly to an excellent range of purposeful and age-appropriate activities. The stimulating indoor and outdoor environment is organised to provide children with many opportunities to develop their play and learning. Resources are labelled and arranged on low shelves, which children can access freely. Children are able to choose whether to play inside or out for most of the day and benefit from the exciting outside area where they have opportunities for physical play and exploratory play with sand and water as well as writing and vegetable printing. There is a small garden where at times children can dig and grow their own vegetables using real tools. They are also learning about re-cycling as a compost bin is used. Children display high levels of absorption and involvement as they print

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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 with apples and count the pip holes or fish for apples for their snack. Children playing in the water tray say 'we are having fun aren't we?'. Staff are positioned at activities to support children and extend their learning. Staff speak to children with respect and value their contributions. They talk to them about their experiences and use open-ended questioning effectively to provide children with challenges and extend their play and learning. Children develop self-confidence as they are able to make choices as they play. They are developing excellent independence skills as they wash up the cups after snack, pour their drinks, wash their hands and serve themselves at lunch time, with even the youngest children able to participate. As a result they develop a sense of responsibility and belonging through being able

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to be involved in the life of the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children under three are given excellent care. The nursery uses the 'Quality and diversity' framework to underpin it's practice with children under three. Children in the 'Discoveries' area are able to move freely between the different zones. There are lots of opportunities for children to use their senses to explore and investigate as they play with dried pasta in a tray or mix corn flour and water with their fingers. They can also access their own out door area throughout the day where they can access further exciting play opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs are met extremely well as the nursery gathers good information from parents about their care. All parents are offered a home visit which provides opportunities to share information about the child and their family as well as giving information about the setting. Information is also recorded on registration forms and in the 'All about me' records, which go into their 'special books'. Diaries are used to record information about the younger children's activities and routines while at the nursery and the emphasis of these is agreed with the parent so that the information provided is in line with parents' wishes. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world as resources reflect other cultures and lifestyles as well as their own and festivals from other cultures are celebrated with demonstrations of Indian dancing and henna painting for Diwali. The head of inclusion also works with the local traveller

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Helping children make a positive contribution

community and ensures that families from this community are able to be fully included in the life of the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are given excellent support. The additional services at the children's centre provide links with a local health team and so opportunities for early identification of any problems are increased. The nursery is accredited with a charity specialising in providing speech and language support and so can offer integrated speech and language therapy to those children who have been referred through the scheme. As a result children are able to make excellent progress. Staff use signing effectively to communicate with all children and alternative communication methods such as a visual time table are used.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well because they are happily occupied in purposeful play, are given choices and are able to be independent. They display good manners saying 'please', 'thank you' and 'excuse me'. Staff provide good role models and talk to children with respect. They use positive language such as 'good sitting' or 'good listening' and often reinforce this visually by giving the thumbs up sign, thus promoting good behaviour. Children are also encouraged to take responsibility, for example, they are asked to help other children find a tissue or call children in for drinks or snacks. Children therefore learn to take care of each other and form positive relationships.

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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 The excellent care the children receive is enhanced by the strong partnership with parents. The setting works hard to involve parents at all levels. Home visits are offered for new children and are used to communicate with parents on health and safety issues. New parents evenings are held to explain the ethos of the setting to new parents and to show them around. The additional services such as courses for parents, the baby café, baby massage, dad's group and Job centre plus provide support for parents which ultimately results in better outcomes for their children. The nursery involves parents by consulting them whenever possible, for example, by inviting them to help with the drawing up of certain protocols and on the 'change teams' which are working parties looking at the development of certain aspects of the nursery. The documented

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Helping children make a positive contribution

learning displays around the nursery are designed to enhance parents' understanding of how their children learn and to involve them in the learning process. All complaints are investigated thoroughly and a record of complaints is maintained.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by an experienced and qualified staff team. All staff have checks completed before they can work with children and effective recruitment procedures are in place. Staff are supported through appraisal and performance management and induction procedures are in place to ensure that staff are aware of their responsibilities. In-service training is provided to ensure that staff's skills and knowledge are updated. A clear vision for the centre is laid out in the aims and principles which are in the brochure. There are good systems in place for the governing body and the management team to monitor and evaluate the quality of the provision and accreditation is also sought from external bodies such as the 'Investors in people' scheme.

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Organisation

Staff are well deployed to meet children's needs and the team ethos ensures that staff work together well for the benefit of the children. The key worker system is used effectively to communicate with parents and to ensure that individual children's needs are met. The sunsets team consists of two workers who move with children throughout the day so that they experience consistency of care and feel secure as they move within the setting. Space is very well organised to provide children with an exciting learning environment and to meet their needs. A register of attendance is kept but it does not always include children's arrival and departure times to provide an accurate record of children's hours of attendance.

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Organisation

All of the required documentation is in place and is stored in an orderly manner in folders in the offices. Clear protocols are in place to provide staff with guidelines on matters such how to deal with children's feeds and sleeps. Policies and procedures are reviewed as part of a rolling programme. However, some policies do not contain all the necessary information and some contain information which is out of date. The lost child policy does not contain sufficient detail and the complaints policy does not fully reflect the current regulations. All documentation is stored securely and confidentiality is observed. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the nursery was asked to develop the daily risk assessments to ensure all potential hazards, for example garden tools, are identified and risks minimised. All areas are checked for safety before the children arrive and a record is kept. They were asked to make sure fresh drinking water is available to children at all times. Fresh drinking water is now available and easily accessible to children. They were also asked to obtain consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment if necessary in the future and ensure they sign to acknowledge the administration of medicines. Consent for emergency treatment is now included

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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 the contracts and a medication form has been devised which includes parental signatures for the administration of medication.

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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 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 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): • record the arrival and departure time of all children so that an accurate record of their hours of attendance is maintained • review policies and procedures to ensure that they are all up to date and contain the necessary information.

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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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