Shining Little Stars Ltd

Little Goslings

Inspection report for early years provision

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Little Goslings

Unique Reference Number EY280663 Inspection date 23 November 2005 Inspector Kathryn Margaret Clayton

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Little Goslings

Setting Address 160 Warwick Road, Scunthorpe, South Humberside, DN16 1HH

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E-mail

Registered person Shining Little Stars Ltd Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Full day 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 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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Little Goslings Nursery is a privately owned facility that first opened in 2004. It is registered to provide care for 49 children aged from birth to 8 years and currently there are 64 children on roll, including 16 in receipt of nursery education funding. The premises are located in an area close to the centre of Scunthorpe. Children have access to two playrooms and an enclosed outdoor play area. The facility opens from 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday all year around apart from public holidays and

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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 during Christmas week. Sixteen staff are employed, 10 of whom hold or are working towards relevant qualifications. The setting is supported by the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are generally active throughout the day. They develop confidence in their physical skills as they use an appropriate range of indoor and outdoor equipment, for example, wheeled toys, bikes, a climbing frame and tunnel. Babies and young children’s emotional well-being is fostered as staff offer support and comfort at all times. Children start to learn the importance of good personal hygiene as they are consistently encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times. They are protected from any likely infection as staff follow suitable hygiene routines, for example, when changing children's nappies or preparing for meal times. Children start to learn the benefits of healthy eating as they are offered mainly healthy snacks and meals throughout the day. These include choices such as apple and biscuit at snack time, with milk or juice, chicken casserole and bananas and custard for lunch.

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Helping children to be healthy

Most practitioners hold a current first aid certificate and therefore children are protected as minor accidents and the administering of medication are dealt with correctly. Children benefit because staff have a clear understanding of their dietary needs and they are cared for in accordance with parental wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, well-maintained, attractive environment that offers them some freedom of movement. They enjoy some access to a suitable range of toys and equipment within the play area, although they do not always readily choose or select items themselves. The nursery use good security systems to protect children’s safety including clear procedures to monitor arrivals. Within the setting staff are effectively deployed enabling them to maintain a good overview of children at all times. Communication within the nursery is good, staff make sure information is shared and everyone is aware of any changes to routine, for example, who is coming to collect a child, therefore their welfare is protected. Children start to learn about acceptable safety boundaries as they use age appropriate equipment, for example, different types of baby chairs. All children are involved in practising the evacuation of the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

premises in the event of an emergency. They remain safe because staff have a suitable understanding of their responsibilities with regard to the protection of children and therefore any concerns will be dealt with correctly.

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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 satisfactory. Babies and young children enjoy some stimulating experiences, including exploring gloop, painting and playing with water. They have access to a good range of moving toys that engage their interest well. Children's progress and development is assessed through appropriate observations linked to the Birth to three matters framework. This helps staff to assess the next step in their development and learning. Babies play happily alongside each other and are challenged appropriately by staff, for example, as they complete shape sorters and simple inset puzzles. They enjoy being together and benefit from being treated according to their individual needs. Staff are supportive and encouraging as babies explore their environment. Children remain comfortable in the setting as their basic care needs are met throughout the day, with regards to nappy changes, feeding and sleeping. Nursery Education

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The teaching and learning is satisfactory and children make steady progress towards the early learning goals. Staff have an adequate understanding of the foundation stage curriculum and are clear about what they wish children to learn from each activity. They plan a well-organised programme of activities, however these do not always sustain children's interest and enjoyment over a period of time and therefore children are not always motivated to learn. Children show some independence in the play area, for example, many manage their own personal hygiene. They feel a sense of achievement when completing a colouring activity or making models. Children listen well to simple instructions and to stories such as 'The Three Bears'. Many can recognise their names with a picture clue as they come into the setting and many speak confidently and clearly, for example, in role play or when playing with play dough. There are times when children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are not always suitably challenged in their learning, through, for example, the use of open-ended questioning, or of appropriate resources such as props at story time, in role play or more interesting books in the book corner. Children generally behave well. Many recognise numbers to three and count a small group of objects when completing a sorting game. They explore pattern and shape appropriately, for example, when printing or making shapes with play dough. Children construct confidently as they make a vacuum cleaner or rocket. They enjoy some planned opportunities to find out about living things when, for example, planting cress and beans. Children start to gain some early awareness of other cultures and beliefs through the use of suitable resources and taking part in celebrations. Children move confidently and freely within the play space. They enjoy running outdoors and show some awareness of the effects of exercise on their bodies. Children skilfully peddle small

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

bikes and join in confidently when playing ring games. They show increasing skill in manipulating play dough and many can hold pencils and crayons correctly. Appropriate planned opportunities are available to children to use small equipment.

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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 Outdoors, children enthusiastically join in a game of 'Mr Wolf'. There are some opportunities available for children to explore colour and texture through painting and collage work and many children can differentiate colour. However, children's creativity and independence is not always effectively promoted as there are limited opportunities for children to explore by selecting their own resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the nursery and are treated with equal concern according to their individual needs. They benefit by being cared for by staff who are good role models in an atmosphere where positive, respectful relationships are encouraged at all times. This helps to foster children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Children have access to a generally good range of resources that display a positive image of diversity. Staff use positive strategies to help young children learn about acceptable behaviour, for example, giving them stickers for achievement. Babies are kept safe and encouraged to understand about not taking each other's toys with the sensitive intervention of staff. Children who have special educational needs receive good support within the setting. Some, but not all children's details are recorded and stored confidentially. The nursery have no system in place to record, investigate and report

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Helping children make a positive contribution

on complaints made by parents that relate to the national standards. The partnership with parents is satisfactory. Parents benefit from having access to information about their child's day, for example, staff share information about babies and young children at the end of every session. Parents of older children are not given any information about the foundation stage curriculum, although they are aware of the activities available to their children. Currently there are no systems in place to inform parents of the progress their children are making.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's welfare is suitably promoted because management understand the need to keep children safe and use acceptable appointment procedures to ensure staff are appropriately assessed before they start to work. Children benefit by being cared for by a generally well-qualified staff group who work well as a team. They are effectively deployed within the setting to ensure consistency of care for the children who attend. There are adequate systems in place to support and develop staff, for example, by giving them time to attend training. The space available and the group sizes are not always organised in the best interests of the children. Children are sometimes cared for in groups of more than 26 and they do not always have access to all of the space that has been assessed for their use. The leadership and management is satisfactory. There are adequate systems in place to monitor the nursery education provision, including working

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 closely with the local authority support service. Management show a commitment to the ongoing development of all aspects of the nursery. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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. This is the history since registration. Concerns were raised with regard to National Standard 2-Organisation. Ofsted made an unannounced visit to discuss the concerns with the provider. Appropriate actions were agreed to meet the National Standards. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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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 all children's details are recorded and stored confidentially • devise a system to record, investigate and report on complaints made by parents that relate to the national standards • ensure children are cared for in groups of no more than 26 and they have access to appropriate space.

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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): • ensure parents receive information about the foundation stage curriculum and there are systems in place to routinely inform them of their child's progress

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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 • ensure the activities provided sustain children's interest and enjoyment over a period of time • provide more opportunities for children to explore creatively through selecting resources • ensure appropriate teaching methods and suitable resources are used to challenge children's learning.

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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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