First Class Day Nursery Ltd

First Class Day Nursery Ltd Inspection report for early years provision

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EY363539 Unique Reference Number 11 July 2008 Inspection date Lisa Paisley Inspector

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First Class Day Nursery, 81-85 High Road, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 5LN Setting Address

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E-mail

First Class Day Nursery Ltd 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 outstanding. 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?

First Class Day Nursery Limited opened in 2006. It was previously registered by the owners in 1996 as a privately owned organisation. The nursery operates from six rooms within purpose-built premises in Benfleet, Essex. A maximum of 100 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 07.00 to 19.00 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 139 children from birth to eight years on roll. Of these, 66 children receive funding for nursery education. The nursery also cares for children over eight years of age. Children from the local community and surrounding areas attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery currently supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and can support children who have English as a second language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery employs 34 staff, including the cook and the handyman. Of these, 26 hold appropriate early years qualifications, this includes one staff member holding a Early Years Professional Status (EYPS). There are currently 12 staff members who are undertaking further professional development. The setting receives support from the local authority.

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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 benefit from being cared for in an environment where exceptional hygiene practices and procedures are implemented and maintained. Children learn about hygiene routines through washing their hands appropriately, for example, before snack and meal times and after creative activities. Relevant photographs and signs placed at child's height in the bathroom area provide children with effective visual reminders to wash their hands. They have access to liquid soap, warm running water and paper hand towels. All changing mats and toilet areas are maintained to a very good standard and regular checks are undertaken by staff during the day, this ensures that the risk of cross-infection is minimised. All staff have undertaken first aid training and additional support is in place to care for children with specific dietary needs. All staff have an excellent understanding of procedures to follow in the event of an accident, child becoming

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Helping children to be healthy

unwell or requiring medical attention. Consequently, all children are very well supported by an experienced and effective staff team.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's awareness of the benefits of healthy eating is actively promoted at snack and meal times. Children enjoy a variety of healthy snacks such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Older children are able to self-select fruit and pour themselves drinks fostering independence and choice. Meal times are a relaxed sociable time where children are effectively supported, as staff sit with the children and they are encouraged to talk freely about everyday events. They learn why some foods are better for our bodies than others through general discussions and planned topics. Babies and young children are very well supported by staff during meal times as staff ensure that they spend individual time with them. For example, when they have their bottles, staff sit on comfortable chairs to cuddle babies and so they are able to observe the changes in their behaviour as they get tired and require a sleep. Staff maintain excellent written records

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Helping children to be healthy

for each child to ensure their individual health and dietary requirements are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children enjoy outstanding opportunities to engage in physical activities and have access to an extensive range of outdoor play equipment to support their physical development. For example, tricycles, steppers, climbing frame, balls and hoops. There are also regular trips to the local park and to Benfleet Creek where children see the sailing boats and trains going into the train station. Children use a very wide range of tools and equipment to develop their skills, such as magnetic, threading, pegs and scissors. Children are allowed to rest or sleep peacefully according to their individual needs. Babies and young children are able to sleep undisturbed in cool designated areas. Older children have very cosy areas with child-sized seating to ensure that they are comfortable at circle time, when playing quietly or when looking at books. As a result, children are making excellent progress in their physical development and are effectively

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The nursery has highly effective and secure measures in place ensuring that risks to children's safety, both indoors and outdoors, are minimised. This includes clear procedures for the safe arrival and departure of children to and from the nursery and a password system for collection of children by authorised adults. Comprehensive formal risk assessments are in place and are effective in ensuring that potential hazards to children are minimised. For example, the safety gates are securely fixed and appropriately used, the banisters and landing areas are safe for

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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 and the premises are secure ensuring children cannot leave unsupervised. There are comprehensive and clearly written safety procedures in place that are fully implemented by staff, this includes the effective recording of accidents and obtaining parents' signatures, confirming that parents are fully informed about their child's welfare. Staff have an exceptional awareness of how to organise space, furniture and equipment enabling children to move freely and independently between activities and different play areas. As a result, children are extremely confident within the nursery and are safe and secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All the group rooms and communal areas are brightly decorated with children's art work, displays, posters, hanging decorative mobiles, photographs and letter and number print. The premises are exceptionally clean, well lit, effectively heated and ventilated, ensuring that it is suitable for children to use at all times. They benefit from using toys, resources and play equipment which are maintained to an excellent standard. Children enthusiastically select their own play resources which are appropriate to their ages and stages of development. Play equipment is stored at child height, promoting independence and choice. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through regular fire drills and by gentle reminders from staff such as negotiating the stairs safely and tidying away toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All children go on outings with staff within the local community, with their parents’ or carers’ written permission, to extend their learning and knowledge. Staff follow the setting’s outings policy, signing out which children are being taken and where they are being taken, while always ensuring that they take mobile phones to enable them to act in children’s best interests by contacting the nursery in an emergency. Staff are deployed effectively and ensure the provision of an efficient system for the safe arrival and collection of children attending the local schools.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively protected as staff have a very good understanding of child protection procedures and know how to keep children safe, as all of the staff have attended child protection training. A comprehensive written policy is in place and staff are able to recognise signs of abuse and know whom to contact if they are concerned about a child in their care. A named staff member is responsible for child protection and they have a clear understanding of their role, through attending training and keeping up to date with any changes such as the Local Children's Safeguarding Board (LCSB). Parents are informed of the group's responsibility regarding child protection reassuring parents of their child's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy their time at the nursery as they are settled, happy and confident within the provision. Staff are sensitive to children's needs and provide a wide range of activities which are interesting and stimulating. They have developed warm and effective relationships with the children, enabling them to feel secure and develop a strong sense of their own self-worth. Children participate in an excellent range of creative activities such as rice, painting, play dough, sand and water play. Children use the outdoor area on a regular basis, developing their physical, investigative and exploratory skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff working with children under three have a secure knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, planning has been recently updated to include the Early Years Foundation Stage. This, combined with their good knowledge of individual children's developmental stages, helps them to plan and deliver activities which help children to learn and develop in line with their age and ability. Staff working with babies and young children are attentive in ensuring they are closely supervised as they will sit with babies and help them in their physical skills such as

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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 learning to crawl and walk. Children are encouraged to take the lead in selecting activities and staff support this by prompting children to explore and investigate toys and resources. Staff take time to play with individual children, sharing books, encouraging crawling, painting or making noises with toys and instruments, helping children to develop in confidence and ensuring that they feel valued and included. Babies and toddlers have excellent opportunities to listen to what their key workers are saying because staff talk about what they are doing throughout the day, such as when changing nappies, to enable them to link words with actions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The out of school children enjoy participating in a wide variety of activities, for example, outdoor play, creative activities, construction and role play. Older children help plan activities offered and they play an active role in planning school holiday projects and outings. This includes trips to the theatre, Hockley woods and Wat Tyler park. Planned summer activities include wizard and witches linked to the latest Harry Potter film, food week and environment and nature week. Staff sensitively support and encourage children to undertake homework from school. All daily activities are evaluated at the end of session, ensuring that staff have an objective overview of the setting. The organisation of the out of school provision allows children to make choices from resources that are provided at their level and independently access from what is on offer. Children's views and contributions are valued by the staff working with the older children, this

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

ensures children feel confident, secure and valued at the provision.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. Children are making excellent progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of the curriculum. Staff have an exceptional understanding of the Foundation Stage curriculum and how children play and learn. Curriculum planning has recently been updated to include the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children have access to an exceptional range of activities that are creative and inspiring for children to play and learn, consequently, the six areas of learning are successfully promoted within the nursery. Children achieve well as a result of clear planning and assessment systems and the range of effective teaching methods used by staff. Plans clearly show how activities will be adapted to meet individual needs and abilities and ensure children are appropriately challenged. Staff have an excellent awareness of their role within an activity and support children well through effective

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

questioning. Staff make effective use of individual assessments to identify children's achievements and to plan the next stage in their learning. Children's assessment profiles have recently been updated to include individual 'learning journeys' profiles. Staff have successfully created a rich and stimulating learning environment, engaging children's interests and enabling them to enjoy their play and learning experiences. Planned daily routines provides excellent opportunities for child initiated play and times for children to participate in one to one work such as reading, writing and early numeracy skills. Children are extremely confident and secure, as they clearly enjoy their time at the nursery.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are keen to participate in the range of activities provided and are encouraged to independently select resources and initiate their own activities and games. They show a positive deposition towards their play and learning and they work hard at completing self-chosen tasks. Children show a strong sense of belonging as they greet staff and each other upon arrival. They work well together and understand the importance of co-operation during group activities. For example, children negotiate with each other and agree to take turns when making a train from small building blocks. They are very confident and skilled speakers, using a very good range of vocabulary to convey their experiences both real and imaginary. The book corner is warm and welcoming where children can sit comfortably with their friends and peers. They have access to a wide range of age appropriate books, helping to foster an early appreciation of stories.

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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 Children confidently use tools and resources to make marks and older and more able children write their names independently. This includes children labelling their own art work. Children have a very good awareness of letter, shapes and sounds and more able children are able to phonetically sound out their name. Children are making good progress in their mathematical development, older and more able children are able to count up to 10 and beyond. There are ongoing opportunities for children to use mathematical concepts throughout daily routines such as addition and subtraction. Children confidently group and count coloured cubes and work out bigger and smaller units. They use a wide range of apparatus to explore different mathematical concepts such as capacity, weight and measures and they use appropriate language

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have excellent opportunities to find out about the natural world and enjoy exploring their environment, for example, growing flowers and vegetables. There are also regular trips out to the local community such as the park, shops, library and walks down to Benfleet Creek. Visitors such as the police officer and the fire safety officer are invited into the setting developing children's sense of the local community and peoples roles. Children are developing a good awareness of the uses of information technology in everyday life and are able to operate equipment, for example, the computer, domestic items and measuring tapes and magnify glasses. Children talk with interest about their own lives such as trips to Legoland. Children's imaginations and free expression are encouraged when playing musical instruments, singing, painting, role-play and craft activities. Their physical skills are effectively promoted through

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

an extensive variety of equipment, for example, climbing frame, balls, hoops and tri-cycles. They move safely around the building both indoors and out, they enjoy balancing, running, skipping and using bean bags. Children have excellent opportunities to practise their finer manipulative skills such as threading, magnetic, scissors and puzzles. Overall, children are making exceptional progress in all areas of their physical development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are warmly welcomed into the nursery by the staff, which helps the transition from home, this enables them to settle, feel happy, confident and secure in the provision. Children benefit from having access to an extensive range of play resources which promote positive images of diversity and from participating in activities which promote their awareness of different festivals and cultures. For example, Chinese New Year, Christmas and Japanese O-Bon festival. Parents are encouraged to bring in items or food linked with the festival. Children have good opportunities to learn about themselves, other people and the world around them through well planned activities such as 'Our favourite holiday'. Each child is valued and respected as an individual and the nursery staff know the children's individual personalities well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are learning to use baby sign language, with the older ones being very competent to sing and sign songs without any staff intervention. Babies and toddlers are able to confidently understand the baby signs before they can say the words to avoid frustration and to ensure that their communication skills are being developed. Staff work very well with children who have English as an additional language, for example, learning key words in their home language and use pictorial notices. Any special requirements or information are discussed and consistent communication and information exchange takes place. Consequently, an inclusive environment is effectively promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is exceptionally good, as staff are effective in creating an environment that values positive behaviour and children are effectively rewarded for their individual

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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 achievements. Children settle quickly at the nursery as staff work successfully with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met. Staff actively seek information from parents before a child starts at the nursery regarding their interests and abilities. This enables them to build on and develop children's previous knowledge, understanding and skills. Children are consistently very well behaved and they have a very strong sense of caring for others, which is strongly promoted by staff. Children are well supported by staff who regularly use praise and encouragement to promote children's self-esteem. They learn to share play equipment and take turns and increasingly take responsibility for their own actions. Children have a very good sense of self-control through the positive and effective role models that staff provide. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 outstanding. This contributes positively to the well-being of all children attending the nursery. Children benefit from their parents being informed about how the nursery operates and the current play and learning frameworks that are being implemented. Older children's learning within the home is linked with current topic work such as 'senses'. Good communication procedures are in place to enable staff to effectively pass on the correct information. Parents are provided with key messages with regards to their child's day. There are formal meetings in place to discuss children's well-being and developmental progress and parents are welcomed to drop in on sessions at any time. Parents and staff work well together to meet the children's needs. They receive excellent quality information about the nursery and in turn share their knowledge of the children. Parents confidently approach

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Helping children make a positive contribution

staff and they demonstrate a high level of satisfaction with the nursery.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are aware of how to make complaints about the provision and these are dealt with in a prompt and professional way. Staff listen to parents' concerns and, where appropriate, adapt their policies and procedures accordingly.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care and developmental progress is enhanced by the effective and comprehensive planning and organisation of the nursery. Robust recruitment and vetting procedures are in place, ensuring experienced and knowledgeable staff who are suitable work at the nursery. Staff make very good use of available play space as children are being cared for in age and stage appropriate groups, who all have ample space within their base rooms to play and explore. As a result, children are able to move freely and independently around the environment accessing a excellent range of activities which support their play and learning. The enclosed outside play area is time-tabled and staff make excellent use of the local environment to broaden children’s knowledge.

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Organisation

All required documentation including the operational plan are comprehensive and in place. They are effectively organised which contributes to children's health, safety and overall well-being. Records, policies and procedures are comprehensive and are regularly reviewed ensuring that the nursery consistently meets the National Standards.

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Organisation

Leadership and management is outstanding. The registered providers, managers and staff are highly committed, professional, enthusiastic and extremely well motivated in their approach to providing all the children with positive early years play and learning experiences. The management style is an open, hands on approach, promoting a reflective and consultative practice. Consequently, positive working practices are maintained and continue to be developed. Effective and clear procedures are in place for new staff, for example, clear inductions with the

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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 support of a mentor, this ensures that they feel fully supported within their work. Yearly appraisals are in place for permanent staff to ensure effective practices are consistently implemented. Staff have clearly identified roles and responsibilities such as training officer, health and safety, equal opportunity and behaviour management. They carry out their roles professionally, with high expectations. Regular staff meetings ensure that the care and education children receive is regularly discussed and improved, with all staff members having the opportunity to contribute ideas and suggestions. They are deployed successfully within the nursery and very good staffing ratios are maintained at all times. This ensures children are well supervised and supported during key transitions of the day such as meal and sleep times and

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Organisation

when participating in activities. Staff are fully supported within their roles and they have an excellent awareness of the policies and procedures which are in place. Consequently, children are cared for by an effective, experienced and knowledgeable staff and benefit from continuity of care.

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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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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 outstanding. 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

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

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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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