Diandjims Nursery and School ClubOfsted inspection, 23 Jul 2008

Diandjims Nursery and School Klub Inspection report for early years provision

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EY356505 Unique Reference Number 23 July 2008 Inspection date Stephen Andrew Blake Inspector

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The Pavilion, Hexham Middle School, Wanless Lane, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 1BU

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E-mail

Diandjims Ltd Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care, Out of School 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

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

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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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Diandjims Nursery and School Klub was originally established in 2000 and has occupied its current site since June 2007. The setting operates from within a detached wooden building in the grounds of Hexham Middle School. A maximum of 52 children may attend Diandjims Nursery and School Klub at any one time. The nursery is open 08.00 to 18.00 each weekday throughout the year except for one week at Christmas. The School Klub is open from 08.00 to 09.00 and 15.00 to 18.00 each weekday during school term times and 08.00 to 18.00 during school holidays. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 29 children aged from birth to under five years on roll within the nursery and a further 50 children on roll at the School Klub. No children receive funding for early education. The setting serves children from the immediate and extended areas and supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Diandjims Nursery and School Klub is one of two privately owned and managed settings and employs a total of 11 staff (including support staff). All staff working with children hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting is a member of the National Day Nurseries Association.

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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 thrive because staff provide a clean and well-maintained environment and follow effective procedures and practices which meet the children’s physical, nutritional and health needs. Staff have established generally effective systems to monitor the medical needs of individual children. They do not have a system for obtaining parental signatures to acknowledge the record of medication administered to children. Staff provide children with a good level of support and guidance to help them gain and develop an age-appropriate understanding of hygiene and personal care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of age-appropriate and well-planned activities that enable them to explore, test and develop their physical skills. Staff have a thorough understanding of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and the ‘Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage’ and have a good understanding of each child’s stage of development. Children are supported effectively by staff as they try new experiences, such as sampling a new food at snack time. All children have a positive attitude to physical exercise and eagerly participate in activities, such as running and using a range of ride-on resources. Children's physical skills are further promoted because staff provide a good range of indoor activities to challenge and extend their physical development, for example, when using a range of tools for craft and construction activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children help themselves to easily accessible drinking water throughout the day and enjoy a good range of cooked food prepared by staff in the nursery kitchen. Staff have a good understanding of healthy eating and plan a variety of healthy meals and snacks. Children’s individual health needs are monitored effectively by staff and meals are planned according to children’s dietary requirements. Children are beginning to understand the value of good nutrition as staff explain the importance of healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle, for example, during a discussion at snack time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because staff undertake generally effective risk assessments which help to identify and minimise potential hazards. However,there are accessible brambles, holly and nettles in the garden and hazardous items in the kitchen are accessible to children. Staff have established effective systems to monitor the indoor and outdoor premises to ensure they are secure. Staff have a good understanding of children’s individual abilities and of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. This means that children have opportunities to safely participate in a range of well-planned indoor and outdoor activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe because staff enable them to independently access a range of high quality toys and equipment which meets safety standards. Those with physical disabilities and learning difficulties are safe and fully included because of the sensitive adult support and well-planned resources and activities. Staff implement policies and procedures effectively to help ensure that children are safeguarded. Regular and effective communication with parents contributes to children’s safety.

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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 Children are secure because they have a good relationship with the adults caring for them and are confident to ask staff for help when needed. They are well protected by staff who have a clear understanding of child protection policies and procedures and give top priority to children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy their time at Diandjims Nursery and School Klub. Although the setting does not provide grant funded nursery education, children achieve very well because staff are highly skilled and use their sound understanding of child development and of early years guidance, such as the 'Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage', to plan and provide an outstanding quality of care and learning experiences. Staff use their comprehensive knowledge of child development effectively to plan activities and resources that are accessible and age-appropriate in accordance with individual children’s abilities. Staff understand individual children needs and know how to help them take the next steps in their learning and development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children arrive happy and are eager to participate. They settle quickly on arrival as staff ensure they have good information from parents and carers regarding the child’s individual needs for that day. Children are highly motivated because staff are enthusiastic about early learning and provide a comprehensive range of opportunities to challenge children’s thinking throughout the nursery. Staff plan activities effectively and interact with all children enthusiastically. All children make excellent progress because staff recognise the uniqueness of each child and can identify children’s individual learning styles in order to maximise their development and enhance their early learning experiences. For example, younger children are supported effectively as they explore a range of accessible textured resources whilst older children are encouraged to create their own imaginative pictures with spray paint. Consistently

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

close and caring relationships increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff support early communication skills effectively through high quality adult-child interactions, for example, during imaginary play. They use questions skilfully to challenge and stimulate children’s learning and value all children’s contributions. This promotes children’s confidence and self-esteem. Children relate well to each other and have an excellent relationship with staff. Children are beginning to make sense of the world and express their ideas as they join in a range of planned activities, for example, when having picnics in the garden or examining the mini-beasts.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and play a full part in the nursery because staff value and respect their individuality and the family context for each child. Staff implement age-appropriate and sensitive behaviour management strategies. Children have an appropriate understanding of right and wrong, as staff offer gentle reminders to care for each other and in discussions about the importance of sharing. Staff effectively provide a warm, caring and supportive environment to all children. Children’s behaviour is good. They work well to problem solve with minimum adult intervention and are considerate and helpful towards each other.

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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 Staff implement effective systems to support children with physical disabilities and learning difficulties. Children have a good range of opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through planned activities, local walks and outings to local places of interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is good. Parent’s views about their child’s needs and interests are actively sought on a regular basis throughout their time there. This contributes to all children’s well-being within the nursery. Parents are confident in the ability of staff to meet their child’s individual needs. Staff ensure that all parents know how their children are developing and provide parents with a good range of written and verbal information about their child’s care routine and activities during their time at nursery.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s care is enhanced by the good quality of organisation. Children thrive because the premises are well-organised and indoor and outdoor opportunities throughout the nursery are laid out to maximise play and learning opportunities. All legally required documentation which contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being are in place and generally well maintained. The registers however, do not record the names of adults looking after children.

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Organisation

Children benefit from skilled and motivated staff who are effectively inducted and supervised. Staff meet regularly to reflect, monitor and improve the quality of their care and education. An effective monitoring system ensures that the setting’s policies and procedures are consistently applied. Staff are committed to continuous improvement and development. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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. 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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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 • ensure that parents sign the record of medication administered to children to acknowledge the entry • ensure that brambles, holly and nettles are inaccessible to children in the garden and that hazardous items are inaccessible to children in the kitchen • ensure that registers include the names of adults looking after children on the premises.

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The quality and standards of the care

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 care

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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