Witham Nursery

Witham Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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EY295639 Unique Reference Number 21 November 2007 Inspection date Justine Leong Inspector

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52 Maldon Road, Witham, Essex, CM8 1HN Setting Address

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E-mail

Belinda Frances Wakelin 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 outstanding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Witham Nursery is one of three nurseries run by the owner. It opened in 2004 and operates from a converted detached house. It is situated in the centre of Witham, Essex. A maximum of 41 children may attend the Nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08.00 until 18.00 all year round. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 121 children aged from two years to under five years on roll. Of these, 68 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from a wide catchment area. The nursery currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and also children who have English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery employs 14 members of staff. Of these, 13 hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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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 stay healthy at this setting as they follow clear daily routines which include basic hygiene procedures. They are able to independently access suitable hand washing facilities and understand the importance of washing their hands to stop germs from spreading. Staff have created clear visual aids from photographs of the children, helping to ensure they understand how to wash their hands thoroughly. Children are protected from illness as there is a sickness policy in place, including exclusion times for some common illnesses. Staff regularly remind children to cover their mouths when they cough and to use a tissue to wipe their nose, helping to minimise the risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive good quality care in the event of a medical emergency as almost all staff have undertaken appropriate paediatric first aid training. There are well-stocked first aid boxes throughout the nursery and a comprehensive accident record is in place, helping to ensure children's health is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from daily opportunities to enjoy physical activity and fresh air. Free-flow play between the garden and the main playroom enables younger children to access indoor and outdoor areas independently. They play with a wide range of toys and resources that encourage physical development including bicycles, wheelbarrows and balls. Older children visit the local park on a daily basis, to play on the playground and investigate their environment. They develop good balance and coordination as they play on the slides, swings and balancing beams and have ample space to run and play games.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a good understanding of the importance of a healthy diet as staff provide a broad range of nutritious meals that are freshly prepared on site every day. They sit together to share meals such as roast dinners, spaghetti bolognaise and fish cakes and have valuable opportunities to develop independence as they serve themselves. Children also sit together to share a mid-morning snack of fruit or vegetables, occasionally eating foods they have grown themselves in the nursery garden. Children have constant access to fresh drinking water, ensuring they do not become thirsty. Staff are aware of children's dietary needs and clear information is displayed in the kitchen, helping to ensure individual needs with reference to food and drink are well met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a bright, warm and comfortable environment where they have plenty of space to move around and play under constant supervision. Younger children benefit from the opportunity to enjoy free-flow play in the downstairs rooms and older children are able to move freely between different rooms upstairs. Children play with good quality toys and resources, all of which are suitable for their age and stage of development. Toys are frequently cleaned and checked for signs of damage and all resources are appropriately stored to allow children to access them independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective procedures are in place for monitoring visitors to the premises and staff check identification thoroughly. Fire safety precautions including a fire blanket and fire alarms are in place and staff regularly practise the evacuation procedure with children to ensure everyone

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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 knows what to do in the event of an emergency. There is a clear policy in place to ensure children are kept safe on outings, however, procedures are not consistently implemented, potentially compromising children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning to keep themselves safe as they are developing a good understanding of safety issues surrounding the use of equipment such as scissors and knives. Children are well protected as staff understand their role in child protection and are able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary according to the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Several members of staff have undertaken child protection training and all staff are aware of procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child in their care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the setting and make excellent all round progress. Children under three take part in interesting activities with reference to the 'Birth to three matters' framework, which ensures that their developmental needs are extremely well attended to. Staff plan and provide a very wide range of exciting and stimulating activities which children can access at their own pace. For example, some children play with imaginative small world toys or share books in the quiet area, whilst other children participate in the daily craft activity or develop good dexterity with the threading toys. All resources are stored at an appropriate height to enable children to access them, helping to develop excellent independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children clearly benefit as staff encourage free-flow play between the inside and outside areas. They have ample space to move around and play enthusiastically in small groups or independently. Children have constant access to the garden, regardless of the weather, as staff position toys and games under a waterproof canopy if it is raining. Staff are innovative and resourceful and use everyday situations as valuable learning opportunities. For instance, children collect rainwater that has gathered on the canopy and discuss who has more or less water in their bucket, encouraging mathematical language in context.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff are exceedingly supportive and value the children’s contributions, helping to develop excellent self-esteem and confidence. Children build very positive relationships with staff and other children, due to the warm and nurturing atmosphere. Children are listened to very attentively and are encouraged to make connections to their own experiences, helping to consolidate and extend their understanding.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. Staff have an exceptionally good understanding of how children learn and develop and use their knowledge to plan exciting and imaginative activities. Consequently children are consistently engaged and motivated to learn during their time at the setting. Precise planning of activities ensures all six areas of learning are covered equally and these are based on children's interests to ensure they remain focused and able to resist distractions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Effective teaching methods including working with individual children or in small groups, successfully promotes children’s independence, perseverance and ability to concentrate on a task. Staff know individual children very well and use their knowledge to provide support and challenge as required. For example, children cutting up fruit at snack time are actively

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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 encouraged to use all their senses to explore the fruit. Staff effectively question some children to extend their understanding while sensitively supporting others with cutting the fruit.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff are consistently polite and respectful to each other and to children, acting as very positive role models. Children follow their example and are beginning to manage their own behaviour, creating a calm and productive atmosphere in which children can learn effectively. Staff manage time and resources superbly and children receive a successful balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities, enabling them to learn at their own pace.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make excellent progress through the stepping stones and each child is regularly observed to ensure teaching meets their individual needs. Progress towards the early learning goals is recorded in clear developmental records and ongoing assessment is used effectively to provide children with consistent challenge to ensure they make as much progress as possible.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing superb communication skills as they interact with staff and other children. They negotiate and take turns during conversations, speaking clearly and responding to others appropriately. Staff provide extensive and innovative opportunities for children to use language to organise and explore ideas. For example, when making lunch staff make extra jelly but do not put it in the fridge to set. At lunch time they give each child a set jelly to eat but also show them the unset jelly, prompting a lively discussion with children enthusiastically sharing their ideas. Children have access to a broad range of fiction and non-fiction books and animated story reading by staff ensures children thoroughly enjoy sharing books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Exciting activities involving mark-making resources are provided every day to encourage children to develop an understanding of using writing to communicate and record information. Children hold writing implements correctly as they play with a variety of pens, pencils, paper and crayons. Provision of stimulating activities, such as bark rubbing with large wax crayons, ensures that children remain engaged and interested.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff effectively use daily routines within the setting to encourage mathematical development. Children are learning maths in context as they use language to compare size and quantity, supported and extended by staff. For instance, at lunch time children discuss what they have left to eat on their plates, using language such as 'more than' and 'less than' to describe their food. They have access to a fantastic range of stimulating maths resources including a large abacus, calculators and maths games. Children have access to information and communication technology to support their learning. They play with programmable toys, calculators and a range of computer games.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing an extremely good knowledge and understanding of the world as staff encourage them to explore and investigate materials and objects using all their senses. Staff consistently encourage children to be inquisitive about the world around them and create fantastic learning opportunities to facilitate this. Children play with resources such as cornflour and use appropriate language to describe how it feels and moves. They use all their senses to explore natural objects including fir cones and bark and make rubbings to investigate texture and patterns. Children thoroughly enjoy exploring water as staff allow them to play in the rain and collect water in buckets to observe and discuss.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children eagerly learn about their environment and develop a good sense of place as they explore their local area. Older children at the setting have valuable daily opportunities to investigate their environment as they go on walks to the park and playground. They learn about the changing seasons first hand as staff encourage them to observe the trees and collect fallen

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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 leaves to use in craft activities. They visit the local post office, library and shops, helping to foster a secure sense of place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff provide extensive opportunities for children to use their imagination in art, craft, music and role play. Stimulating craft activities are provided every day using a very broad range of creative resources. For instance, some children construct with boxes and then paint their models with paint they have mixed themselves, while other children thread pasta to create a necklace. Children have independent access to musical instruments including rain sticks and xylophones, which they play with enthusiasm. Role play is actively encouraged, both in the home corner and through providing dressing-up clothes and resources relating to familiar experiences such as visiting a doctor.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well settled at this nursery and leave their parent or carers confidently on arrival. Staff are supportive and caring, creating a nurturing environment in which children develop good self-esteem. Children are listened to attentively and staff respond appropriately, demonstrating that children's ideas and contributions are valued. Children's individual needs are well acknowledged by staff who spend time getting to know the children and their family prior to the child commencing at the nursery. This enables them to provide an individual approach and ensures children are cared for in line with parents' wishes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have meaningful opportunities to learn about the wider world and different cultures. They celebrate a variety of festivals such as Diwali, Christmas and Chinese New Year and have access to resources that are representative of diversity. The setting has very effective arrangements for supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. There are two special needs coordinators at the setting and both have undertaken training to support their good practice. Staff work closely with parents, local schools and external agencies to ensure all children are fully included and are able to reach their maximum potential. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is good. Staff have developed very good relationships with parents and carers and share information about children's individual needs. Parents and carers receive good quality information about the educational programme and are kept informed of topics and planned activities through a regular newsletter. Daily discussions ensure parents are kept fully informed of significant events and the setting holds frequent assessment evenings to share children's progress and achievements. There is a clear complaints procedure in place which is shared with parents and carers.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for and receive excellent educational opportunities at the setting as the provider has implemented robust recruitment and vetting procedures. All staff have substantial knowledge and understanding of child development and undertake induction training and yearly appraisals. This ensures children are protected and cared for by staff who have a clear understanding of the setting's policies and procedures and who receive ongoing training to improve their practice.

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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 Effective staff deployment and appropriate group sizes help to contribute to children's good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and ability to take part in the setting. Staff organise space and resources very well to ensure children have ample space to play and learn and can independently access toys and resources. Comprehensive documentation is in place, underpinning good practice. This is stored confidentially and reviewed on a regular basis. All required written parental permission forms are in place, helping to ensure children are cared for in line with their parents' wishes.

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Organisation

Leadership and management are good. The manager, deputy and staff work very closely together to form a strong team. Staff are very committed to good practice and consistently review and evaluate their own practice to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Yearly staff appraisals are carried out, ensuring training needs are identified and can be addressed. All staff are involved in planning and regular monitoring of the provision ensures an inclusive environment is promoted. The setting has developed very good links with outside agencies including local schools. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the setting ensure that all medication administered is correctly recorded. This has now been addressed and all medication administered is recorded, dated and signed by parents, helping to ensure children remain healthy.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 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 outstanding.

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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 safety procedures are precisely implemented during outings.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of nursery education are outstanding.

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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 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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