Blenheim Children's Centre NurseryOfsted inspection, 21 May 2008

Blenheim Children's Centre Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344258 Unique Reference Number 21 May 2008 Inspection date Rebecca Hurst Inspector

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Blenheim Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 9BH Setting Address

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E-mail

London Borough of Bromley 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 good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Blenheim's Children Centre Nursery was registered in 2007. It is a service offered by Bromley Early Years & Childcare Services. The service operates from a purpose built premises on the site of Blenheim Infant School, situated in the London Borough of Bromley. The nursery serves the local community. Children are grouped according to age range within two separate group rooms. All rooms have accessible toilet or nappy changing facilities. There is an enclosed outdoor play area for physical play opportunities. The service opens weekdays, 8:00 to 18:00, except bank holidays and staff training. Both sessional and full day places are available. The staff team includes a manager, deputy, nursery officers and a full time SENCO. A qualified teacher is also available to assist staff in their work. All staff hold a recognised early years qualification. Children with special needs and those who are learning English as an additional language are fully

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

supported. There are currently 33 children on roll. There are eight funded three and four year olds.

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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 outstanding. Children receive a healthy and balanced diet whilst they attend the setting, consequently, children thrive. Children's acquisition of independence skills are greatly nurtured by staff. Children serve themselves their own meals and pour their own drinks. Staff are at hand to aid those who ask for help. Children have a choice of what they would like for lunch, which further aids their independence skills. Children are protected from cross infection and contamination by vigilant staff. Staff ensure they wash their hands before they wear gloves to serve food. Staff further protect the children as they wear gloves to wipe the children's noses.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily access to physical play. Staff ensure all areas of learning are covered outside in the garden, as a result children are making good progress with their large and small muscle movements. Staff ensure children are wearing hats whilst they are in the garden. Each child has their own sun cream, which is labelled to ensure they receive their own cream. All tables are thoroughly cleaned before and after meals with anti bacterial spray, which further protects children's welfare. Children have separate hand washing sinks for arts and crafts and for after they have been to the toilet. This ensures children are protected from cross contamination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are protected from abuse and neglect as they are cared for by knowledgeable staff. Staff have a full understanding of child protection procedures and safe guarding children. Children are welcomed into a bright and airy setting. All children and parents are greeted by staff when they arrive at the setting. This greatly contributes to the well-being of the children. Children's safety is paramount to the staff. Staff have detailed risk assessments around the building which they follow to protect the welfare of the children. Staff carry out daily safety checks on the building and any items that are highlighted are acted upon to protect the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All resources are stored at a level the children are able to independently access. All rooms have resources labelled which allows children to learn early word recognition. All resources are maintained to a high standard. Staff regularly check the resources to ensure they are safe for the children to play with. Staff and children practise fire drills on a regular basis and these are fully evaluated and timed by the manager. This ensures the welfare of the children is paramount.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled, as they are cared for by knowledgeable staff, contributing to their sense of security and belonging. Children are cared for by caring staff who bond well with them. Staff attractively arrange resources, which allows children to independently self select toys. All resources are suitable for the age of the children that are playing with them. Staff plan using the Birth to three matters framework and write detailed observations on all of the children in their care. All staff make good use of photos as evidence of the children's learning. However, staff do not complete the next steps in the children's assessment files. Consequently, observations are not used to their full potential.

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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 The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children play and work cooperatively and are developing social skills, because activities are arranged to actively support group work. Children's learning and skills acquisitions are enhanced by the adults' interacting warm, positive and caring ways. Children share well, because adults consistently praise children to encourage desired behaviour. Children are relaxed and feel comfortable about making mistakes while learning, because adults are positive and reassuring.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Adults working with children demonstrate a strong knowledge of the Foundation Stage of learning, so that children are presented with an appropriate range of activities to support and promote their learning across all six areas. Staff write detailed plans for the children. Staff also complete detailed observations on all of the children, however, they have missed opportunities in further progressing the children as they do not complete their next steps.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. Children learn about festivals and celebrations at a level they can understand. Children help staff on displays regarding festivals they are looking at. This enhances children's knowledge of the celebration. Staff work well with outside agencies to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Staff write detailed individual education plans on children, which are incorporated into the staff's planning. Staff are good role models to children with regards to behaviour management. Consequently, children are well behaved. Staff explain to the children the differences between right and wrong, as a result children are considerate towards each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is good. Children benefit from the concrete relationships staff have built with the parents. Parents receive detailed information regarding the setting, and the services they provide. Staff daily feedback at the end of each session which allows parents to know how their children have been whilst attending the setting. The manager writes regular newsletters, which keeps parents notified of what is happening in the nursery. Staff have set up a system which allows parents to make appointments when they are available to meet with their children's key workers to discuss their child's progress. This further enhances the partnerships between the parents and the staff.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, the setting meets the needs of the range of children in its care. Children are protected from non vetted people as the manager ensures they are not left alone with the children. Staff are only employed once their criminal records bureau (CRB) have come through. This further protects the children's welfare and safety. All policies and procedures are checked on a regular basis to ensure they are kept up to date with changes in legislation.

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Organisation

The quality of leadership and management are good. The manager is a good role model to the staff, as a result, there is a happy working atmosphere and staff work well as a team. The manager has an action plan in place for improvements she would like to make to the setting. Staff have regular appraisals, which allows them to discuss any concerns, and for them to discuss which training they would like to go on.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration.

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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 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): • ensure next steps are completed in children's assessment files

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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): • ensure next steps are completed in children's assessment files

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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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