Kid Ease Hawkinge

Kid Ease Nursery @ Hawkinge Inspection report for early years provision

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EY245457 Unique Reference Number 15 January 2008 Inspection date Mary Van De Peer Inspector

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Haven Drive, Hawkinge, Folkestone, Kent, CT18 7RH Setting Address

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01303 894111 Telephone number hawkinge@kidease.co.uk E-mail Kid Ease Limited Registered person Integrated Type of inspection Full day care 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 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?

Kid Ease Nursery @ Hawkinge is one of six nurseries run by Kid Ease. It opened in 1993 and operates from a purpose built building in Hawkinge, near Folkestone, Kent. A maximum of 88 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08:00 to 18:00 for 51 weeks of the year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 144 children aged from three months to under eight years on roll. Of these, 41 children receive funding for nursery education. Children mainly come from the local community. The nursery currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties or disabilities and also children who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery employs 24 staff. There are 22 staff, including the manager and room supervisors, who hold appropriate early years qualifications. There are 14 staff who are working towards an additional qualification, with one working towards a first child care qualification.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance. They also receive support from the Local Authority.

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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's play areas are kept clean and organised very effectively to gain maximum usage. Children learn about self-care and are able to participate in excellently promoted personal hygiene procedures. They wash their hands before meals, after using the toilet or playing with creative play activities. Picture posters on the wash room walls show children how to wash their hands properly. This results in cross-infection risks being kept to a minimum. Almost all members of staff have attended first aid training and both accident and medication administration records are in place. If children sustain any minor injuries, they are dealt with correctly and efficiently. Staff have a good knowledge of Birth to three matters. They have a very sound knowledge and understanding of each child’s stage of development. This means even the youngest children are becoming confident and keen to try out new skills. Children's physical development is very

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Helping children to be healthy

good. The layout of the nursery allows children to free-flow in and out of doors as they wish. They are able to play with a wide range of activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Indoor and outdoor toys and equipment include, a climbing frame, sand and water play, balls, construction, puzzles, mark-making and creative play. Children show self-confidence in their physical play. All children are given the opportunity to rest or sleep when they need to, this helps them start to recognise their own body signs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The nursery provides all children's food, snacks and drinks. They use an outside caterer who delivers both lunch and tea every day. Menus are displayed for parents to see. They can discuss any problems they may have with what is on offer. Babies meals are pureed where required and older children are able to serve themselves, eating as much as they want to as they recognise when they have had enough. Snacks, consisting of fruits, milk and water are prepared on the nursery premises. Older children peel and cut up their own fruit and pour their own drinks. Children have a very good awareness on healthy eating. They each have their own cups and plates to help avoid cross-contamination. Children’s individual dietary needs are catered for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in bright, clean and safe areas. Very thorough risk assessments mean all known hazards have been removed or minimised, for example, safety gates are used where appropriate, sockets covered and dangerous items are kept out of children's reach. The nursery's play rooms are very child-friendly. For example, the toilets and washbasins are at child height, storage and furnishings are low level, so children can reach them easily and independently. The equipment that the children use is suitable for their ages, checked regularly for safety and hygiene. The outside play areas are available for children to use all day long. Staff risk assess different situations when necessary, throughout the day, to ensure children can play safely. Staff make sure they achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits for the children they care for. An emergency evacuation procedure, involving all the children, is carried out at

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

regular intervals. This allows them to learn some sense of danger and knowledge about how to protect themselves from harm. Children are very well protected by staff who have a clear understanding of child protection procedures and give good priority to their welfare.

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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. All the children really enjoy their time at the nursery. All staff have an excellent knowledge of both Birth to three matters and the Foundation Stage. This enables them to create an environment providing children with freedom to play, have fun, as well as being educational, homely and friendly. Older children discuss what they want to do together and turn the book area into a small camp. Small and large constructions are created with inter-locking or stacking bricks. Younger children learn numbers, shapes and colours with bright toys such as the musical bus. All children are learning to share and take turns, interacting happily with staff and with each other. The staff work hard to ensure children are busy and help them find something they find interesting to do. Every wall throughout the nursery is full of examples of children's work and colourful posters showing positive images from around the world. This helps to increase

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children's confidence and self-esteem. Most of the children settle easily when they arrive. The baby care areas have sensory play resources, for example, treasure baskets, helping to provide visual stimulation as well as a calming atmosphere for very young children. There is a very good selection of age appropriate toys for the children to play with. These cover the main areas of development, for example role play to encourage imaginary play and the creative area where they can experiment with a variety of art and craft materials, such as paints, glue, textiles and dry pasta. There are also quiet areas where the children can relax and look at books. Computers and child-friendly software allow older children to gain familiarity with information and technology. As children are able to choose their own activities, even snack time is not allowed to interrupt the children's play and they decide for themselves when they feel like a break and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

something to eat and drink. This creates a bustling and happy atmosphere, where children are learning how to motivate themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children are able to experiment and have lots of fun using good quality toys, activities and resources. This supports them in all areas of learning. The children are keen to learn and confident enough to try new experiences. They listen well to stories and initiate actions they feel fit the story being told. Children are able to mark-make to represent their ideas, for example, by using paint, chalks and crayons. More able children are writing recognisable letters that appear in their name. Role play areas are used constantly by the children. Children are able to count and recognise numbers up to at least twenty. However, children are not always challenged in areas such as problem-solving in everyday play activities, which will help develop their thinking skills. Children work well together, for example, constructing and joining in outdoor ball games. Right from the start, staff find out about

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children’s needs, interests and skills. The individual needs of each child is the key to the nursery's planning. Once settled, staff complete Learning, Opportunity and Experience sheets for each child, on a weekly basis. This ensures staff know how the children are progressing and their next steps are built in to the planning for the following week. Staff also monitor and record children’s achievements to share with parents. These excellent practices means children benefit from appropriate challenges in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about people from other countries, cultures and with disabilities through the wide range of activities made available. There are books covering many different topics, dolls and figures showing positive images of equality. Children are learning that all people are

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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 different. The individual needs of every single child attending the nursery are met. The setting has very effective arrangements to care for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. Children receive lots of praise and adult interest for their achievements. Staff are enthusiastic about giving encouragement to children and do not dwell on negative behaviour. They use effective, positive behaviour management strategies, which are shared and discussed with parents. Staff are excellent role models, they continually help children learn the importance of showing respect for each other. The children play freely within effective and clear boundaries and develop good self esteem. Samples of children's work is on display all over the nursery. Children receive good care and support from the staff. Parents confirm that they feel able to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

approach staff for information about their child. They receive an insight into how their children develop through written and verbal exchanges about their children's achievements, development and well-being. A daily diary sheet is completed by staff and this helps ensure children receive continuity of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. Parents receive clear and regular information about their children's progress and development, for example, through regular updates about their achievements. Curriculum plans are displayed, showing clear aims relating to the early learning goals and individual needs of the children. The nursery provides clear and generous information about the service it provides for children and their families in a prospectus and welcome handbook. Further details on the Foundation Stage are displayed around the nursery, Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The nursery is extremely well organised. Indoor and outdoor space has been expertly planned and laid out, to provide good play opportunities for all children. The required documentation and record-keeping, which contributes to children’s health, safety and wellbeing, are in place. However, the nursery's complaints procedure is not clear about the availability of the record of concerns. The nursery's Ofsted registration certificate is displayed in the entrance hall where all callers can see it. There is a robust and effective staff recruitment and appraisal system. Children benefit greatly from well-qualified and experienced staff. In addition, most staff members hold a current paediatric first aid course certificate. This helps ensure that the nursery's policies and procedures are consistently applied. All staff are committed to continuous improvement and development. They regularly reflect, monitor and improve the quality of their

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Organisation

The leadership and management of the nursery is good. The manager has lots of enthusiasm, experience and commitment, which in turn motivates staff. She is continually looking for effective ways to develop and improve the nursery in all areas which subsequently improves the learning experiences for children. Each care area keeps a self-evaluation folder, this has proved very useful in enabling staff to reflect on their own practices, identifying strengths and weaknesses. The setting meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

An action was raised at the last inspection. The provider had to ensure procedures are in place to regulate the temperature in the nursery so that it is appropriate for young children and staff. The local environmental health agency visited the nursery and officially tested the temperature, this occurred on one of the hottest days that year. The nursery make sure children and adults are always able to access drinking water, gazebos are located in the outdoor areas as protection

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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 from the sun and parents are contacted to pick their children up early as a precautionary measure. Children's health and well-being was given high priority and any required action is taken swiftly.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection one complaint has been made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take action in order to meet the National Standards. Concerns were raised in relation to National Standard 4: Physical Environment; National Standard 6: Safety; National Standard 7: Health and National Standard 12: Working in Partnership with Parents and Carers. Concerns were raised regarding the temperature of the nursery, standards of care and a lack of information sharing with parents. As a result of an Ofsted investigation, an action was raised in relation to National Standard 4: Physical Environment, to ensure procedures are in place to regulate the temperature in the nursery so that it is appropriate for young children and staff. The provider responded by meeting the action raised and outlined what they have done to ensure they remain in line with the National Standards. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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 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): • consider reviewing how written complaints are made available for parents to view, further improving the partnership with parents and carers

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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): • increase the opportunities for children to use numbers, for example problem solving and counting, in everyday play

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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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