Matchbox Day Nursery

Matchbox Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265143 Unique Reference Number 05 August 2008 Inspection date Christine Coram Inspector

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1-2 Butler House, Burdett Road, London, E14 7AB Setting Address

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020 7987 6296 Telephone number nursery@matchbox.fsworld.co.uk E-mail Burdett Estate Playgroup Registered person Childcare 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

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?

Matchbox Nursery is part of the Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative and opened in 2003. It is located on the ground floor of Butler House, on the Burdett Estate in Tower Hamlets. The setting is on two sites, organised into under two's and pre-school. All children share a covered outside play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery offers full day care for children for children aged three months to five years. It is open each weekday from 08:00 to 18:00, for 51 weeks of the year. A maximum of 68 children may attend the nursery at any one time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 75 children aged from three months to under five years on roll. Of these, 27 children were in receipt of funding for early education in the summer term. Children come from the local and wider community. The setting currently supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. The setting employs 28 members of staff, who all 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 good. Children’s health is promoted well through effective procedures to maintain hygiene. For example, members of staff are vigilant about washing their hands and using disposable gloves. Children are taught to protect themselves as they wash their hands before meals and snacks. Children who need a sleep have a named cot or sleep mat so that cross infection is limited.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health is also promoted very well because all the children have daily access to fresh air and outdoor play as all age-groups benefit from covered out-door areas. They have free access to these throughout the day and are carefully protected from the sun. Children have good opportunities for physical play and development through high quality large play equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy and nutritious diet. They are offered cooked meals and snacks that include daily portions of fruit and vegetables and a varied menu. However, the pre-school children eat their snack stood around a table with insufficient opportunities to sit down if they wish. The meals are cooked on site and the cook has a clear understanding of nutrition, hygiene and food safety. She is also well informed about children’s dietary needs and has effective procedures in place to ensure that they receive the correct food.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in safe and very secure premises. No one can enter without being admitted by staff, and the staff are vigilant in ensuring that doors are properly closed. The premises are kept safe through detailed risk assessment and procedures that protect the children. For example, when the food trolley needs to be moved through the toddler room, staff sing a ‘sitting down’ song to make sure that all the children are still until the trolley is gone. Staff have a good understanding of safety and supervise the children effectively to give them freedom whilst keeping them safe. They are also protected because the staff have a clear understanding about safeguarding issues and procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with good quality equipment that is clean and in good condition. It is appropriate to the needs and stages of development in each of the areas. Children have easy and safe access to the majority of the resources because they are stored at their height and they are free to help themselves. They are encouraged to find items in the draws and their independence is promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have wonderful opportunities to learn and develop through a wide range of exiting and thoughtfully planned activities. They greatly enjoy experimental sensory play. For example, they play with a tray of soil, a tray of sand and a bowl of water. They mix these in different quantities, scooping the mixture into the containers. They observe, feel, pour and measure with great joy. In the outside area, they balance on blocks, make a runway from boards and build with large blocks. They find spiders and are involved in imaginative play with home play resources. They are cheerful, confident and enthusiastic in their play and learning.

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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 They have free access to different resources for mark making and cutting. They confidently and enthusiastically use these resources for creative and sensory play. For example they make good use of the paint, pasta, stickle bricks and foam that are made available for free creative play. Children have time to experiment, feel the textures and to mix then paint with other materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Members of staff are enthusiastic and support the children through exited responses to the children’s discoveries. They are knowledgeable and vigilant in the support they give and show great interest in the children’s activities. A toddler finds a basket of bottles with a variety of fillings. The child discards those that have liquid and do not make a noise. A member of staff immediately stimulates his play, helping him to observe what is in the bottles. Others join in, watch and listen as other children shake the bottles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies and toddlers thrive in a very stimulating environment that is comfortable and child orientated. The resources include a large bubble tower, sponge blocks, pictures on the walls and windows, many mobiles and lights. Comfort is given to child who does not immediately settle through cuddles and singing as an effective distraction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a very child friendly and safe environment with plenty of stimulation. Their individual needs are met because the staff understand their personalities, preferences and development. They learn to view diversity in society positively through the inviting range of images found in the resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is managed effectively. The children respond well to the adults, and simple discussions successfully achieve the required behaviour. Staff speak positively to the children. For example, when children begin to argue, a member of staff says ‘That’s not how we speak to our friends, is it?’ The children settle back to their sociable play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from continuity in their care because the setting has effective procedures in place to liaise with their parents. They are given a range of information each day. Parents of the youngest children share a daily diary with staff. They can read about their child’s meals, nappies and sleeps as well as their activities. They are invited to write their own contributions, which parents are happy to do.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom they provide. Suitable adults care for the children because there is an effective system in place to vet all staff. New staff have a good understanding of the basic procedures and policies through a formal induction procedure and all staff have the opportunity to contribute to and assess their professional progress through the appraisal system. The staff team is extremely well qualified and members are encouraged to regularly up-date their knowledge and skills through attending short courses.

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Organisation

The setting is well organised and the routine and resources are arranged very effectively. However, the snack time for the two to five year olds is not well organised and children do not have the opportunity to sit and enjoy their fruit. Staff are deployed well to support staff and maintain ratios. The children are grouped effectively to make the best use of the premises. 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 required documentation is in place and clear. Copies of the policies and procedures are given to parents and all confidential information is stored in the office, so that it is secure.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At their last inspection, the setting were asked to develop the fire drill procedures and practices, with particular regard to babies, develop opportunities to promote independence and self-help skills, and to review the use of the toddler toilet area.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The fire drill procedures have been carefully reviewed and babies needs have been given specific consideration so that all children are protected in an emergency. Children now have wonderful opportunities for independent free choice. They practise skills, such as hand-washing and pouring drinks with confidence and independence in the setting. The toilet area has been re-designed to increase privacy and maximise hygiene.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 the procedures for snack time, to make sure that children have the opportunity to sit for their snack if they wish

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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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