Acre Wood Children's Nursery

Acre Wood Childrens Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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EY363796 Unique Reference Number 16 June 2008 Inspection date Thecla Grant Inspector

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Acre Wood Nursery, 1 Westfield Court, Lower Wortley Road, LEEDS, LS12 4PX

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E-mail

Maxine Frances Sadler Registered person Childcare 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

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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Acre Wood Nursery is a privately owned nursery, which was established in 2003 and changed ownership in 2008. The nursery operates from five rooms in a converted office building situated in the Wortley area of Leeds. A maximum of 40 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 07.30 to 18.00 all year round. All children share access to an outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 63 children aged from five months to four years on roll. Children come from the local and surrounding area. The nursery currently supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery employs 16 members of staff. Of these, 16 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 stay healthy and are appropriately cared for if they have an accident or become ill because practitioners are trained in administering first aid. There are appropriate permissions and records in place regarding the administration of medication and suitable policies about children who are sick whilst on the premises, these are shared with the parents. Children's health is further promoted by a balanced diet, which is freshly prepared on the premises. Mealtimes are a relaxed social occasion when children sit together around the table to enjoy their food and each others company.

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Helping children to be healthy

Practitioners appropriately follow the environmental health and hygiene guidelines policies and procedures. For example, they provide individual blankets for young children at sleep and rest times, these are changed daily. Cross contamination is prevented through the constant cleaning of the tables and nappy changing mats, that are cleaned after each child's use. Practitioners also wear gloves when changing the children's nappies. Young children learn simple hygiene practices through regular routines, whilst older children independently wash their hands using the soap dispenser. However, three-year-olds do not fully understand why they need to wash their hands before meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Appropriate systems are in place for young children to rest and sleep according to their needs. For example, they rest and sleep on the soft cushions provided in the rooms. Older children enjoy the physical activities provided outdoors. For example, three and four-year-olds enjoy the racing game and get ready for the count down by the practitioners, whilst a small group of three and four-year-olds practice a new way of moving their bodies as they gallop around the garden playing ponies. Children balance on the tyres and stride from one tyre to the other, supervised by an adult.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children also enjoy playing ring games and know the words and actions very well. However, not all children want to join in with the large motor development games. These children play in the child size play house but resources are not always available to extend their play in this area.

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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 safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment. Appropriate systems are is in place regarding the security of the nursery and practitioners manage access to the nursery well. For example, visitors are asked to sign the visitors’ book. Practitioners are welcoming to parents and reflect their children's art work by displaying them on the playroom walls. Practitioner's photographs are displayed in the entrance along with their qualifications, as a result parents become familiar with the adults caring for their child. The children are further welcomed into the nursery by the soft background music, which adds to the ambience of the setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children happily access a very good range of toys and equipment. These are age appropriate, stimulating and provide sufficient challenge. Indoor furniture is child height and appropriate for use. Practitioners are aware of the safety policy and procedures and make sure resources are safe for the children to play with. Children are never left alone and suitable procedures are

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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 in place regarding the monitoring of accidents in the setting. Laundry facilities are provided on site and a notice to keep the door closed is displayed. However, this door is not kept locked. As a result, children's access is not effectively restricted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Practitioners have a good understanding of the emergency evacuation procedures, however, three and four-year-olds discuss that they have not practised it yet. As a result, children do not have enough knowledge of what to do in case of emergencies. Appropriate fire equipment, such as fire extinguishers, are provided and are regularly checked to ensure they are in good working order.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are suitably safeguarded, because most practitioners have an appropriate understanding of child protection issues. However, they have not yet updated their training. The child protection policy is in place but is not detailed. The revamped copy, which includes procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff or volunteer, is sited on the computer and has not yet been shared.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Babies explore their immediate environment through all their senses. For example, they enjoy sensory exploration as they play in the pasta, oats and rice cereal. Babies enjoy the closeness of adults as they sit on their lap and are given time to explore their environment for short periods of time as they play in the baby play centre. As a result, babies enjoy exploring their environment of people, objects and through their senses.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Toddlers are provided with play situations where they can take on different roles. For example, two year olds practise wrapping a sari around their waist. They enjoy playing with the pram and place small world plastic fish in the push chair to take for a walk. Some children sit quietly and listen to a story, as they look at the illustrations the practitioner asks them questions about what they can see. Children respond by accurately identifying the pictures in the book. Children enjoy painting on the easel and playing in the water. They have a very good range of practical activities and learn social skills by being with adults and other children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children enjoy playing on the computer. They show keen interest in number and are able to recognise the difference between a six and a nine. They are able to match the correct number of items to the corresponding number and use the mouse expertly. Children explore what happens when they mix colours and have made butterfly paintings which they show off with pride. Children have very good opportunities to mark make and use work sheets to trace letters. For example, children recognise the letter 'c' that they have traced.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Practitioners have developed children's profiles. Older children have a lever arch folder with information sent through from the under three's area. This shows their starting points; profiles are consistently linked to the stepping stones. Younger children's profiles are based on the 'Birth to three matters' framework and are divided into the appropriate areas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Parents are provided with appropriate information about the provision and their child's progress, through discussion and written records. The parents share information about their child's

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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 personal details, so staff can care for them in accordance to their needs. Policies and procedures of the setting is shared with the parents through the information about the setting brochure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Systems are in place with regard to inclusion. For example, some practitioners have attended training in inclusion and a 'special needs' policy is in place. Children learn about different cultures through practical activities and themes to reflect different cultural and religious festivals. For example, children made scrolls for the festival of Purim and made Chinese spring rolls for Chinese New Year. As a result, children appropriately benefit from resources and activities that positively reflect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children show a good awareness and understanding of responsible behaviour. For example, they confidently speak to their friends and the staff about their wants and their interests. The staff make sure children are not bored or frustrated, but are busy and contented. As a result, children have a good relationship with each other and understand the behavioural boundaries.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Recruitment and vetting procedures appropriately ensure children are well protected. All staff are vetted and a record is kept of this. The staff show commitment toward their own personal development by attending relevant training courses and work shops.

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Organisation

Practitioners make good use of space and other resources so that children are well cared for and supported during the day. However, practitioners are not very well deployed during the first part of the morning.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are in place and mostly work in practice to promote children's good health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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Organisation

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

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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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

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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • provide more opportunities for three-year-olds to develop a good understanding of hygiene practices • make sure all staff are aware of possible signs and symptoms of children at risk and are aware of their responsibility • make sure children do not have access to the laundry room and consistently promote children's understanding of the emergency evacuation procedures • make sure staff are effectively deployed especially during the first part of the morning.

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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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