Woodlands Day Nursery

Woodlands Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349271 Unique Reference Number 09 October 2007 Inspection date Christine Cutts Inspector

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Woodlands Childcare Ltd, 106 New Greenham Park, Greenham, THATCHAM, Berkshire, RG19 6HW

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Setting Address

01635 33626 Telephone number woodlandltd@btconnect.com E-mail Jane Hilary Frost Registered person Integrated Type of inspection Full day care, Sessional care Type of care

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Setting Address

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?

Woodlands Day Nursery re-registered in 2007 under new ownership. It opened originally in 1994. The nursery is privately owned. It operates from purpose built premises on the New Greenham Business Park to the south of Newbury, West Berkshire, off the A339. It offers day care for children aged from 12 weeks to under five years. Children are drawn from a large catchment area. Children are accommodated in one of five separate rooms dependant on their ages. Currently, there are 85 children on roll. Of these, 16 receive funding for nursery education. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery opens from 08.00 to 18.00 each week day throughout the year, with the exception of bank holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year. The nursery supports children with learning difficulties and physical disabilities, together with those who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs 21 full

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

and part time staff to work with the children. Of these, 18 have relevant early years qualifications, with seven qualified to level 3 or above. Regular support is received 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 use a very clean and well maintained nursery environment. Staff follow procedures well so that babies sleep, according to their needs, in clean bedding and all children use clean toys and resources. Very good procedures in the kitchen prevent the spread of cross infection, with the safe preparation and management of food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the fundamentals of good personal hygiene. Older children know they wash their hands before eating, to 'kill the germs', whilst toddlers and babies' hands are wiped with individual fresh cloths both before and after taking food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat healthy meals and snacks. The nursery works closely with parents, giving a range of useful information on good nutrition and menus of the freshly cooked meals are displayed in each room. Older children choose when to have their snacks during the session and are able to pour their own drinks developing their independent skills. All children and babies drink according to their needs, with older children helping themselves to water, when required.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children funded for nursery education enjoy frequent opportunities to be outside in the extensive and very well equipped nursery grounds. They play imaginative games in the fort with foam swords, ride on bikes, and scoot on scooters or push prams. The children are very active using the real boat and sand pit with the sail and climbing frame to be pirates and take sailing trips. Children also have additional physical opportunities with dance classes, movement activities and music classes from visiting tutors.

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Helping children to be healthy

All age groups can access fresh air in age appropriate play areas and there are opportunities for babies to sleep inside in cots or outside in prams according to parents' wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children make full use of the extremely well maintained, spacious playrooms. Staff make the nursery very welcoming and inviting to both the children and their parents. There are colourful pictures and posters from different cultures and attractive displays of useful information for parents. Children use good quality equipment, suited to their stages of development, which is checked regularly for faults. Resources in the pre-school rooms are set out so that children can access them easily. The under threes move around freely making choices about what to do. Staff provide choice for babies too, which encourages them to move and explore.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff are fully aware of their responsibilities and the procedures for safeguarding children. They undertake regular training, so that children's welfare is protected. Staff are confident in child protection issues and know what to do if they have concerns over a child, however, child protection procedures do not include informing Ofsted in case of an allegation made against a member of staff. There are secure procedures for the collection of children and visitors are challenged and identified.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a safe environment because senior staff understand the principles of risk assessment and do all they can to identify and minimise possible hazards to children's safety. Other staff follow procedures carefully, such as keeping the laundry and storage doors shut.

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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 children enjoy learning through play when in this nursery. They join in eagerly, using all their senses to explore their environment, both indoors and outside. Staff make good use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to plan appropriate activities for the under threes. Toddlers thoroughly enjoy their pretend play for example, whilst babies explore sensory bottles or activity toys, according to their stages of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Relationships are very good throughout the nursery. Staff clearly enjoy the children's company and are always actively engaged with them. The children very much enjoy the singing and movement activities, which staff join in enthusiastically. They question children effectively to help develop children's thinking and self-confidence. Children get on well together, learning to share resources from a young age. Children's welfare needs are met well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children make good progress overall along stepping stones towards the early learning goals of the Foundation Stage. Staff have a secure knowledge of the Foundation Stage and children experience a broad and balanced programme of enjoyable activities over a period.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children particularly enjoy their outdoor learning experiences, finding out about the world around them. They get on well together, taking turns to use tools, and working purposefully alongside each other at tidy up times and in the garden and when looking for leaves for the hedgehog's nests. When one child finds a different leaf they all show curiosity and interest. Children progress well in their hand skills with many beginning to write their names and most recognising them, through well organised every day activities, such as putting their names in the box when they have snacks. Children are very confident in their language and freely express their ideas thoughts and feelings, which are acknowledge by the staff. Children begin to enjoy books too, listening well to stimulatingly stories when in a group and browsing at books by themselves in the book corner. They use a multitude of different media in creating their own

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

pictures, models and collages; they thoroughly enjoy their imaginative play. They develop their early understanding of mathematics, with very good problem solving opportunities, such as hopscotch mats and spider games. Children show their knowledge as they name shapes accurately when using play dough or counting zoo animals as they play. Children use technology effectively to support their learning. Children's knowledge and understanding of the world around them is well fostered, with the children able to access a good range of resources that reflect the diversity in our society and through topics and celebration of festivals and events in their own and other cultures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The daily timetable is flexible to build on the children's own interest or to take advantage of the weather. Children enjoy choosing their activities and make many of the decisions for themselves, such as when to eat their snacks. 'Group' time is used effectively to support children's learning and to develop children's independence as learners.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff observe children regularly and know them well, however, observation and evaluation of activities are not recorded to include in future planning to meet children's individual needs.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children receive a warm welcome in this nursery. Staff go to considerable lengths to make parents and carers feel welcome too. Parents are appreciative of the flexible settling in procedures. The partnership with parents and carers is good. Parents and carers receive lots of useful information about the nursery and its provision for children. Those who have children in the pre-school are kept well informed as to their children's progress and are very much encouraged to support their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about the diversity of the wider world from each other and from parents who visit the pre-school to share both their expertise and varying cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well, being clear about what is expected of them within the nursery. Older children develop their understanding of right and wrong. Children's spiritual, cultural, social and cultural development is fostered.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Senior management provide clear, experienced and positive leadership to the staff team. Robust systems ensure suitable persons care for children. Management responsibilities are well defined, including line management, through a system of appraisal for the staff. Staff are deployed well throughout the nursery, with all aware of their roles and responsibilities. Induction procedures are effective. There is strong emphasis on staff gaining qualifications and on continued training. Staff show evident pride in working in this nursery.

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Organisation

Excellent use is made of the self-evaluation form, with the nursery identifying its own strengths and weaknesses. All required policies and procedures for the smooth and efficient running of the nursery are in place and help form an effective operational plan. This includes extremely good risk assessment. Ratios are adhered to and all required permissions are in place.

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Organisation

The leadership and management of nursery education are good. Senior staff liaise with outside professionals to monitor the effectiveness of the nursery education. Staff take and act on advice from these outside professionals, and are committed to delivering a quality service to children and their parents.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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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Complaints 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

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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): • review child protection procedures to include action to take if an allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff, including informing Ofsted.

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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): • develop observation and assessment to inform future planning to meet the children's individual needs

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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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