St. Matthew's Little Monkeys Limited

St. Matthew's Little Monkeys Limited Inspection report for early years provision

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EY356225 Unique Reference Number 10 July 2008 Inspection date Karen Cooper Inspector

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St. Matthews Nursery Ltd, 45 New Street, Walsall, West Midlands, WS1 3DF

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Setting Address

01922 474 660 Telephone number littlemonkeys@yahoo.co.uk E-mail St Matthew's Little Monkeys Limited Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care Type of care

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Setting Address

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?

St. Matthew's Little Monkeys Limited nursery opened in 2007. It operates from self-contained premises in St Matthew's Quarter, Walsall. The nursery serves the local and surrounding areas.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 61 children from 12 weeks to five years on roll. The nursery opens five days a week for 51 weeks a year. Sessions are from 07:30 until 18:00. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are eleven staff employed to work directly with the children, most of whom hold an appropriate early years qualification. The nursery receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in warm, clean, premises where they are taught the importance of personal care, for example, washing their hands after toileting, craft activities and before eating, although this is not consistently applied. There are appropriate arrangements in place to care for children

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 who are ill. The written sick children's policy is made available for parents, which ensures children's health is protected. Staff are trained in administering first aid and have appropriate permissions and records in place regarding accidents and medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted by staff taking a range of positive actions to encourage healthy eating. Children learn about the importance of healthy eating as they are provided with foods and snacks that are nutritious and healthy. Children are encouraged to enjoy food and understand why some foods are healthy and others are not. Meal times are relaxed social occasions when children and staff sit around the table to enjoy their food and each other's company. Children remain hydrated throughout the day because they are provided with regular drinks and fresh drinking water is always available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are helped to understand that exercise helps them to stay healthy through planned activities and topics. They have access to a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities on a daily basis to help them develop their physical skills. For example, they confidently and enthusiastically use wheeled toys, climbing equipment, push-alongs, bats and balls. This helps children to develop the confidence to enjoy moving with control, using their bodies in various ways.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a range of good quality toys, furniture and resources which staff frequently checks to ensure that they are safe for their use. Indoor and outdoor space is used effectively, creating a child-friendly environment which enables children to explore while being appropriately supervised. Children are able to independently access resources from tables and boxes at child height, which also helps to create a stimulating, learning environment. There are clear procedures in place for the children's safe arrival and departure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment because staff are vigilant about their safety. Staff carry out regular safety checks on the premises and have implemented the necessary precautions to ensure that any risks to children’s safety have been minimised including gates and socket covers. Effective security systems such as, coded door locks, security cameras and fingerprint identification security system ensure that children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised and there are clear procedures to ensure only authorised people collect the children. Children are beginning to learn about their own safety through discussion and explanation. They gain a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe in the event of an emergency and staff regularly practise fire drills with the children to ensure they are aware of where to go to stay safe. This helps children to begin to take responsibility for themselves

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good understanding of how to protect children in their care and are aware of signs and symptoms of possible abuse. They know the appropriate procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child. However, they are not fully aware of procedures to follow in the event of an allegation of abuse being made against a member of staff. The setting has all of the required procedures and documentation in place to ensure that children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted, which is shared with parents. Staff update their knowledge and skills through attending regular training.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children use a good range of toys and activities that stimulates their learning and development and enthusiastically take part in creative, physical and imaginative play. Good warm and caring relationships between staff and children are evident. They communicate easily with each other and this helps children enjoy and achieve.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are valued and staff help them to feel good about themselves by frequently providing positive support, praise and encouragement. This results in the children being well settled which enables them to make good progress in their personal, social and emotional development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are keen to join in with the activities particularly role play. They enjoy using their imagination where they take on family roles such as mummy and daddy. Staff frequently change the role play area to ensure children are provided with different experiences such as a designer shop and hairdressers. Children explore paint and other materials such as sand, water and thoroughly enjoy playing with the play dough.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff spend time playing and talking with babies and children, helping them to learn. They use the framework 'Birth to three matters' effectively to involve children and further their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children also benefit from a range of activities outside the setting. They go for walks to the local shops, supermarket and visit other places of interest such as the church and library. Staff plan these activities well, and use them effectively as opportunities to help children’s learning. For example, an outing to the supermarket combined with learning about people with disabilities and the amenities available to them encouraged the children to look at diversity and the differences and similarities of other people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are learning to respect diversity within their immediate and wider community through planned and spontaneous activities. They have access to a range of resources, play opportunities and activities, which reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences. They take part in celebrations of different festivals from around the world and have tasted food from other cultures. The setting welcomes children with learning difficulties and disabilities and ensures that all children can access and participate in the activities offered. Staff liaise with parents and outside agencies where necessary to learn the best strategies to help a child make progress in the development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well settled into the daily routine and are happy. They respond positively to the staff who ensure their behaviour is managed with the use of praise, explanation and a reward system in the form of stickers. Children are listened to and the staff value what they say, which helps them to feel good about themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff encourage parents to share what they know about their child’s interests, achievements and individual requirements. Daily diaries ensure that they are fully informed of their child’s daily events. A range of relevant information about the day-to-day organisation of the setting is shared with parents, including a complaints procedure.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The management team have a clear view of the strengths and areas for improvement of the setting and are fully committed to improving the service offered. Staff work well together as a team and ensure their skills and knowledge are updated by regularly attending relevant training courses. Robust recruitment and vetting procedures ensure children are cared for by suitable staff. Staff are well deployed and the grouping of children positively supports their care, learning and play.

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Organisation

Staff use documentation well to support the care of the children and to comply with regulations. Records are clear, up-to-date, easily accessible and stored securely to ensure confidentiality is maintained. Parents share and contribute to records about their children. This helps ensure children are cared for safely and parents' wishes are respected. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first inspection.

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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

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): • review and improve procedures to prevent cross infection with regard to hand washing • develop knowledge and understanding of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures with particular regard to an allegation of abuse being made against a member of staff.

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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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