The Sixth Form College Colchester

Dolphins Pre School Inspection report for early years provision

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130680 Unique Reference Number 07 November 2007 Inspection date Chris Mackinnon Inspector

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The Pavilion, Nevill Playing Fields, Off Eridge Road, Hove, BN3 7QD Setting Address

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E-mail

Sheila Gavan 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?

Dolphins Pre-School opened in 1987 and is located in a sports pavilion next to the Nevill playing fields in Brighton & Hove. Children use the large main reception room and also have access to a safe and secure outdoor play area and garden. The setting is open five days a week during term time, providing afternoon sessions and an extended morning session that includes lunchtime. The setting is registered to care for a maximum of 30 children aged from two to five years. There are currently 67 children on roll, with 42 children receiving funding for nursery education. The setting supports children with disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. There is a staff team of 15 and almost all have early years qualifications or teacher training.

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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. Consistent hygiene procedures and frequent adult guidance keep children healthy within the setting. Children also gain a good understanding of cleanliness and how to be independent in their personal care. Staff have First Aid training and clear accident and medication records are kept. Children take part in food preparation and learn about healthy eating. Home prepared food is monitored by staff and a choice of fresh fruit is provided at snack time. Children are active and demonstrate a positive attitude to physical activities, enjoying many well organised group games and lively role-play. Children use a wide range of tools and resources effectively to develop their manual skills and confidence. Children's physical development and continued good health is effectively supported by enthusiastic staff and the good quality of the activities provided.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to a safe and stimulating learning environment. Much colourful art-work and many visual displays support children's play and learning themes. Close staff supervision and clear safety procedures ensure accidents and mishaps are minimised. The setting is secure and the outdoor play area provides plenty of space for children to explore resources safely. Staff supervise children effectively and children are guided to move safely within the setting's play areas. A well organised and extensive range of play and learning resources enables children to be expressive and to enjoy their activities. Well presented art-crafts, assembly and role-play materials provide many challenging play and learning opportunities for children. Staff are trained and experienced and have an effective awareness of the need to safeguard children and keep them secure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children successfully achieve and greatly enjoy being at the setting. Staff use their training and experience to provide an excellent programme of stimulating and vibrant play and learning activities. Children are consistently encouraged to be inventive and create their own play and learning experiences. Many effective and good quality adult-child interactions help to support children's language and communication skills. Children successfully learn numbers, letters and enjoy reading and books. Staff are highly effective in encouraging children to explore a wide range of creative media and materials. Children enjoy adapting resources and inventing play and would clearly benefit from the continued development of challenging and problem solving activities. Children are also encouraged to be expressive with songs and musical activities. Staff use questions successfully to challenge children’s thinking and help them develop their own

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

ideas and imagination. Plenty of opportunities are provided for children to improve their physical confidence, particularly during the setting's highly well organised range of outdoor games and activities. Staff are confident and enthusiastic teachers, easily encouraging children to learn and make progress. Staff work together well as a team and share information effectively to support individual children's learning and development.

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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 The quality of teaching and learning is good. Staff have a good and well developed knowledge of the foundation stage and are confident in allowing children to initiate and develop play. A well planned and varied learning curriculum provides children with a wide range of challenging activities. During set learning activities and in free-play, children effectively progress and extend their learning. The clear and confident use of language forms a strong part of the children's learning within the setting. Children learn to write, calculate and be creative, while exploring a wide range of learning resources. Children are helped to understand the world around them and are also effectively encouraged to play and learn together. The regular observation of children and how they respond to activities, informs the setting's continual assessment of the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident and happy and take a full part in the setting's activities. Staff support children successfully in sharing, turn-taking and learning to be helpful. Staff ensure children develop an understanding of the need to be friendly to others and children are successfully guided to care for their environment. Staff are trained and experienced in supporting children with disabilities. The setting has effectively developed resources and activities to reflect diversity and develop children's awareness of other cultures. Parents are provided with clear details of the setting's learning programme and staff key-workers keep parents regularly informed of their children's care and development needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. Parents have access to clear information on the setting's early learning programme and the setting works effectively with parents to support children's learning and achievement. Well organised written information is also provided for parents on children's progress through the learning stages. Parents are encouraged to contribute to the setting's play and learning activities, but more links could be made with parents to support children's learning at home. Parents are welcome to stay or visit the setting at any time to support their children's learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children enjoy the setting and make good progress, well supported by the successful organisation of the setting. The play areas are well prepared for a wide range of activities and learning opportunities for children. An extensive range of play and learning resources supports children in having fun and learning new skills. All required documentation and written records are up-to-date and accessible. Clearly written policy material guides staff and helps to ensure the efficient management of the setting. Parents and carers have access to clear written details on the organisation of the setting. Staff deployment is effective and well organised to support children's learning. Staff are well qualified and experienced and work effectively as team, to provide children with many exciting and challenging activities. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom they provide.

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Organisation

The leadership and management within the setting is good. The supervisors lead staff effectively in providing a successful programme of learning activities. Staff are confident and demonstrate a clear and confident knowledge of children's development stages. The setting's planning is well organised and effectively explores all six areas of learning. The programme also includes many rich and varied learning themes, well designed to promote children's achievement. Staff

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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 carry out regular written observations of children's progress and the evaluation of individual children's learning is clearly organised. The staff involved with the nursery education are well organised and meet regularly to assess the effectiveness of the setting's learning programme.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the setting has developed the care provided to children with disabilities and taken steps to ensure all visitors are appropriately supervised, providing improved outcomes for children in Positive Contribution and Organisation.

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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 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 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): • continue the development of challenging and problem solving activities for older children

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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): • revise the setting's links with parents to encourage children's learning at home

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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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