The Italian Day Nursery

The Italian Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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EY360906 Unique Reference Number 14 July 2008 Inspection date Angela Ramsey Inspector

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176 Clapham Road, London, SW9 0LA Setting Address

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02077 353 058 Telephone number info@scuolamaterna.co.uk E-mail Patrizia Diaz Registered person Integrated Type of inspection Full day care Type of care

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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?

The Italian Day Nursery first opened in 1969. A new proprietor started operating in August 2007. The nursery operates from a purpose built building with a large play room, which can be divided into two rooms using a partition door. There is also a small room used for quiet play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery is situated in Stockwell in the London Borough of Lambeth. The nursery is registered to care for a maximum of 26 children aged from two years to under five years at any one time. There are currently 24 children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery is open 48 weeks of the year from 08:30 until 16:30. There are four members of nursery staff, all of whom have an early years qualification. The nursery also employs a cook. All children have access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery is able to support children with learning difficulties or disabilities and also supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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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 thrive because staff follow highly effective procedures and promote good hygiene practices, within the excellent well established every day routines. Staff monitor hand washing after toileting, and before snack and meal times, staff explain the need to wash hands. Children are also taught the importance of dental hygiene as they clean their teeth after their lunch.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff are trained in administering first aid and have appropriate permissions and records in place regarding the administration of medication to children. They keep records of all accidents that may occur in the setting and inform parents. Clear policies about children who are sick or who have infectious diseases are evident and effective. These policies are shared with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Snack and meal times are relaxed, highly enjoyable, social occasions. Healthy and nutritious meals are prepared by the nursery cook. She ensures that all meals and snacks meet children's individual dietary requirements. At lunch time children serve themselves and can have more than one helping. Menus are planned and displayed so parents are aware of the meals and snack provided. Children can access drinks whenever they need to, which helps them recognise and respond to their body's needs as well as fostering their independence. Children also participate in growing herbs, such as basil. The cook uses these herbs as an ingredient to add flavour to foods.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children relish their time playing in the outdoor play area. Children become agile as they climb on the climbing frame. They ride bikes and scooters skilfully negotiating space and corners. Children's hand/eye coordination is practised as they play with tennis balls and rackets. Children are able to throw the ball in the air and hit the ball.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Thorough procedures are in place to ensure children are safe when on the premises. Security systems are in place to prevent unauthorised persons entering the premises. All visitors are requested to sign in and out of the premises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of safety issues and are meticulous in ensuring all areas of the nursery and out door play space are safe. Children enjoy their play in an extremely safe environment, where space and furniture is effectively organised to allow children to move around and play safely. Risk assessments are conducted routinely. This enables staff to identify and quickly address any potential hazards. Children and staff practise the emergency evacuation procedures on a regular basis. This helps children become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An extensive range of toys and equipment are available for all children to enjoy. These are of excellent quality, age appropriate and safe. These support enjoyable activities that stimulate and challenge in ways appropriate to the needs of the range of children attending. Children access resources independently. Equipment is kept clean and in a good state of repair and is regularly checked for safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have an excellent understanding of safeguarding issues. They have attended training and all relevant reference materials are readily available. Children's safety is preserved through the

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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 outstanding collection arrangements and comprehensive policies, which are very clear and rigidly followed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children flourish in the stimulating nursery environment. Staff are highly attentive to children's individual needs and interest. The daily routine is relaxed and allows the children to enjoy experiences in the nursery, in the outdoor play space and on outings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. Teaching helps children to make significant progress towards the early learning goals because staff have a full understanding of the Foundation Stage curriculum and how to engage children's interest in learning. The staff team plan and evaluate a wealth of highly enjoyable activities, which supports and challenges children's development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff have implemented an effective system to track the children's progress through observation. The children's achievements are recorded under each area of learning and the next steps are planned for. This ensures that children are sufficiently challenged and their individual needs for learning met.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children show high levels of independence. They have daily opportunities to practise their pouring skills. Children are able to help themselves to drinks of water. During lunch times, children serve themselves with their meals and drinks. Children also help themselves to different activities throughout the day. Staff also involve children in the preparation for lunch time. They tidy away the toys, clean and lay the tables.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's understanding of space and shape is developing well. They are able to recognise shapes and use appropriate mathematical language in their play, such as more than. Children can count confidently up to 10 and beyond. They are encouraged to practise their counting skills in the day to day routine. For example, when getting ready for lunch children help to set the table, they count how many chairs, plates, forks and spoons are needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relish their time spent in imaginative play. They become fully engrossed in role play, as they 'make breakfast and change their babies'. Dressing-up clothes are also available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They are also provided with opportunities to be introduced to technology. They have access to a computer and competently navigate around the screen. Items such as calculators and programmable toys help children to know about the uses of everyday technology.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Labelled resources encourage children's recognition of letters and understanding of the written word. On arrival children find their name card and place it on the board. Opportunities for children to write and mark make are also provided. For example, paper, envelopes, pencils, pens and postcards are available. Children are confident communicators. They listen attentively to stories, their names and recognise phonetic sounds, enabling them to begin to form short words in their writing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Worthwhile activities are provided which enable children to practise and consolidate their manipulative skills. They handle tools, such as scissors, pencils, paint brushes, rolling pins and cutters with increasing control when playing with play dough, painting and being creative.

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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's creativity is enhanced as they are able to access a selection of craft materials. This enables children to develop their design making skills and be creative.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Karate sessions enhance children's physical development. Children warm up their bodies with stretching routines and listen to instructions and practise their karate moves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Partnership with parents and carers is outstanding. Parents are fully involved in their children's learning. Staff talk to parents on a daily basis about the activities children have taken part in. As well as this parents evenings are arranged. Regular newsletters and information on a parents' notice board keep parents abreast of up and coming events. Parents are also provided with reports which detail children's achievements. Parents are also provided with comprehensive information regarding the Foundation Stage.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from activities and resources which help them to value diversity. They learn about themselves, each other and the world around them as they are able to access recourses which reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences. For example, resources such as books, puzzles, small world figures, dolls and dressing-up clothes, reflect positive images of all aspects of society. Children have participated in the celebrations of various festivals. Resources are labelled which provides children with the opportunity to recognize letters and words. Labels are written in English and Italian.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A recent theme on the environment resulted in children performing a play. This play was based on the story 'Little red riding hood'. The play entitled ' Little green hiding hood' highlighted the importance of caring for our environment and of recycling.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The individual needs of all children who attend are met. As a consequence, children feel secure and enjoy their experiences as they are all included. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. Children are polite, behave well and listen attentively to staff who constantly praise them.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children feel at home and at ease within the setting. They enjoy their time at the nursery and arrive ready to take part in the activities each day. Space both indoor and outdoor is superbly organised to offer challenging and fun opportunities for children.

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Organisation

Leadership and management of the nursery education is outstanding. Staff have attended training and are therefore knowledgeable about the Foundation Stage of learning and use observation and assessments to evaluate how children are progressing towards the early learning goals. In turn, this information is then used to plan for children's next steps. Staff meetings are held regularly and there are systems in place to monitor staff practice, such as appraisals. Staff also evaluate the quality of the provision and continually strive for excellence.

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Organisation

Partnership with parents is outstanding. Effective and consistent communication systems between the parents and staff are in place, such as daily feedback. Regular newsletters keep all parents informed of the activities that have been prepared and enjoyed by their children. Parent meetings, a suggestion box, developmental progress reports and an open door policy

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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 ensure that relationships between the parents and staff are positive. This relationship is crucial to children's well-being.

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Organisation

The devising of first-rate policies and procedures ensures that all parents are informed about the setting. All mandatory documents are available and are stored confidentially. The group's certificate of registration is displayed as well as a current public liability insurance certificate.

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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

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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