The Priory Nursery

The Priory Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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EY285495 Unique Reference Number 15 June 2008 Inspection date Gyatri Rupal Inspector

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St John Ambulance Headquarters, Stanmore Road, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 3QA

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E-mail

The trustees of St John Ambulance 1077265 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 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?

The Priory Nursery opened in 2004 and operates from one large room in a St. Johns Ambulance building in Stevenage old town, Hertfordshire. A maximum of 26 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each week day from 07:45 to 17:30 for 50 weeks of the year. The Nursery is closed for one week during the month of May half-term holidays and all bank holidays and about one week during the Christmas Holidays.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 37 children on roll under eight years, of whom six children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from the local and widening catchments area. The nursery is able to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs nine staff and a cook, seven of the staff, including the manager, 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 satisfactory. Children are developing their physical skills, gaining in confidence using a range of play equipment safely and developing a positive attitude towards physical exercise, as they take part in a range of activities. For example, children enjoy using the climbing frame and overcoming obstacles. They have fun running to catch the hula hoops and skilfully ride bikes in a circle. Children's continued good health is generally promoted by the staff who follow appropriate procedures for maintaining a hygienic environment. For example, tables are cleaned with antibacterial spray before children sit down to eat their snacks and meals. Staff clean up promptly any spillages from the water and sand tray. Appropriate procedures are followed when nappies are changed. Children wash their hands before they eat and after using the toilet. Children who have accidents receive sensitive and appropriate treatment because most members of staff

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Helping children to be healthy

hold current first aid certificates and a suitably stocked first aid kit is kept in an accessible place. Accident and medication records are kept. However, the records are not consistently maintained: accident dates and times are not always recorded and parents do not always sign the medication records. This potentially impacts upon children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to make healthy choices for themselves as they have healthy nutritious food freshly prepared at the premises by a qualified nursery cook. The cook also ensures meals are well-balanced and meet the dietary needs of the children. Children begin to understand the importance of knowing when they are thirsty and are able to meet their own body's needs. Children are developing their confidence as they pour their own drinks and serve their own lunch. Children are learning the benefit of a healthy diet through project work on 'Being healthy' and staff discussions. For example, staff discuss with children which foods are healthy. Children draw pictures of their favourite fruits and vegetables. They also talk about which foods are not healthy and what happens if they eat too much sugary food. Children also drawn pictures of unhealthy foods.

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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 generally safe and welcoming environment. The inside play space has been recently improved as layout of activities and play resources are re-organised throughout the nursery in an inviting manner which enables children to make individual choices. The entrance to the premises is safe and secure. All parents, children and visitors are greeted and visitors are required to sign the book. Staff make daily checks of the premises, both inside and outside, in order to promote children's safety. However, daily risk assessments are not always carried out effectively as children can access uncovered an electrical socket in the play area and can access to a dustbin located in the outside play area which has cigarette buds, which potentially impacts on children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children begin to learn about keeping themselves safe through planned activities and staff discussions. The nursery invites professionals to give a talk on safety issues such as a fire officer and lolly pop lady. Children are aware of the procedures for evacuation in an emergency as regular fire drills are carried out. Children help to tidy toys away at the end of the session which develops a sense of responsibility and care for equipment. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the staff are aware of the procedures to follow in the event of child protection concerns such as recording and reporting issues to the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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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. Children attending the nursery are happy and confident. They show confidence to move between their chosen activities and approach the staff for guidance as they need it. Children are able to make decisions about their play and are able to self-select a variety of activities including books and art and craft materials. Staff are on hand to give reassurance to any children who may feel unsettled. Children develop a sense of belonging in the nursery and are aware of the daily routine. They all sit together for registration, story time and sing nursery songs together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. Staff working with children have basic knowledge and understanding of the Foundation Stage. They set up the play room to ensure children make independent choices of their play. Staff also ensure the layout of the activities and play resources, helps children to promote all six areas of their early learning goals. Staff ask children relevant questions during the activities and successfully engage them in conversation. Children benefit because they receive lots of praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements. Children have an allocated key worker and staff are developing the observation system to monitor children's achievement to link their learning to early learning goals. However, the planning and assessment records lack sufficient links to the stepping stones to ensure a balance of learning opportunities for children over time and the next steps for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

learning are not recorded. Which means activities are not always planned to meet individual children's learning progress towards early learning goals.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing their language as they are encouraged to sing nursery songs and listen to stories. Children enjoy looking at the picture books on their own and they talk about the picture in the book with the staff member. Staff encourage children to be involved in the story by asking questions and encouraging children to express their thoughts. Children are beginning to recognise their names as every day they find their name card and post it in the letter box to register their attendance. A table is set up for mark making with writing materials. Children's awareness of numbers is improving as they have many opportunities to count numbers. Children are constantly talking about numbers, shapes and colours within their daily routine. For example, children count numbers during registration to see how many children are present, they count again how many children are going out to play. They do calculations to workout how many

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

cups and glasses they need at the snack table. Some children show a keen interest in patterns and the staff promote this interest in a variety of ways. For example, children make patterns when playing with play dough, exploring sand and paint. Children play a game of matching same picture cards and children have fun singing number songs with actions. Maths area is set up to extend children's learning further to enhance their experiences; match and sorting out colours and shapes. Children are encouraged to be creative in their play. They have daily opportunities to play in the home corner and develop their imaginative role play. Children develop their confidence and self-reliance skills as they dress themselves and change their dolls' clothes. They confidently cook food in the kitchen area and feed their dolls with spoons.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's knowledge and understanding of the wider world is developing through a range of exciting topics and activities. Children work to themes including the body's senses. During an activity, children are encouraged to develop their sense of smell. Children are encouraged to sniff a variety of different fruit and vegetables and experience the texture. Children clearly show their pleasure or distaste at the different smells. Children explore changes as they plant sunflower seeds and watch them grow. Through play resources and activities they learn about

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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 other cultures and the local community. Children begin to understand about information and communication technology. They have access to computer and opportunities to use battery operated toys. Children use magnets to see fine lines on the sea shells. Children are developing their physical skills as they learn to balance using obstacles and riding bikes. Their hand co-ordination skills are equally promoted as they have the opportunity to make models by using the play dough, puzzle pieces and construction materials. This leads to the development of their positive self-esteem and increases their confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated as individuals and with respect. Their views and opinions are valued and listened to by the staff who ensure that children's individual needs are met by working closely with parents. Staff ensure children are engaged in a suitable range of activities. Children are learning about the local community and wider world through a range of planned activities and play resources which reflect positive images of diversity. The nursery also organises project work on 'people who help us' and invite local professionals for talk. Children behave well as staff encourage children to share their toys and take turns when playing games and using play equipment. Behaviour policy is written and implemented by all the staff. Children are encouraged to respect each other by saying 'thank you' and 'please'. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development is fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff ensure parents are appropriately informed about the setting and about the care their children receive. For example, staff use daily diary to share regular information with parents. Parents' information folder includes the setting's policies and procedures. Staff photographs are displayed along with useful information on the notice board. Children have their own named tray to keep their belongings. Some of the notices are displayed in different languages to ensure all parents and children feel welcome. Children's art work is displayed and children also take their work home which helps parents to see what their children do when attending the nursery.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is satisfactory. The manager organises parents evening to explain about the Foundation Stage. Parents meetings are also organised to share their children's progress. The parents are always welcome to access their children's achievement folder and staff is available to discuss any information with parents. Parents are encouraged to become involved in their children's learning at home. For example, they are informed of the main topic activities for the term. They are welcome to give a talk to the children during the sessions and share their particular skills and experiences. The positive relationship between the setting and their parents contributes to children's feelings of belonging, confidence and security at the nursery.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The leadership and management is satisfactory. The manager has worked hard to develop new systems to ensure children have a satisfactory outcome for their nursery education. For example, the manager has re-organised the layout of the nursery environment to ensure all six areas of early learning goals are covered to help children make progress towards their stepping stones. The manager organises parents' evenings to give information on Foundation Stage and Early Learning Goals. She has developed a system for staff to keep records of children's observation

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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 to link with early learning goals. Although, the curriculum plans are not linked to the early learning goals effectively to promote children's learning to their full potential. The manager also sets up staff appraisals and has a system to promote the professional development of all staff and encourages them to identify their own training needs, which ultimately, assists with the children's care and learning.

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Organisation

Children are protected as the management committee uses effective recruitment procedures, which ensures that the staff have suitable experience and qualifications to work with children. The induction programme for new staff ensures that everyone is aware of procedures for child protection and knows about keeping children safe. Staff work well as a team. Regular staff meetings are held and all staff take part in planning for the children's care and education. The manager has updated the policies and procedures to ensure parents and staff are well informed about the nursery's practice to help promote children's health, welfare, learning and enjoyment. The management have a clear vision for the future development of the nursery. The staff has setup a system to ensure parents are fully informed to enable all to work together to support the children's well-being. Consistency in care leads to children feeling emotionally safe and

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Organisation

secure. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the setting was asked to ensure that all children are effectively challenged, in order to explore and develop their play and learning; improve staff knowledge and understanding of the Foundation Stage in order to ensure that all six areas of learning are promoted; develop systems to ensure that children's starting points are known, ensure that planning and assessment records are used to track children's progress and effectively plan the next steps in their learning and develop methods of sharing information with parents about the Foundation Stage and provide opportunities for them to contribute to their children's learning.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager has re-organised the lay out of the play room to ensure children have access to a wide range of activities and play resources which are effectively challenge and develop their play and learning. The third deputy leader in charge has attended the Foundation Stage training to enhance her understanding knowledge of Early Learning Goals. She shares her experiences with other staff members to develop their understanding and knowledge about the Foundation Stage. Some staff have started to use the observations to link with early learning goals. The setting organises a parents' open day to explain the Foundation Stage and parents are welcome to share their experiences in the nursery. Parents can also use the daily diary to share information about their child's learning with staff. All this helps children to develop their learning.

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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 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 that hazards to children on the premises are always minimised both inside and outside with reference to uncovered electric socket and cigarette disposal bin placed near the outside play area • improve documentation on administration of medication and following accidents.

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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 ways of planning activities linking with early learning goals and consider how you might use observations and assessments of children's achievements to provide further challenge for children to succeed.

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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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