St John Fisher Catholic Primary School

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. City Way Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 103713 Inspection date 02/10/2008 Inspector Linda Patricia Coccia / Janette Mary White

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Setting address 18 City Way, Rochester, Kent, ME1 2AB

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Telephone number 01634 845724 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

City Way Day Nursery is a privately owned multi-functional nursery. The nursery has been registered since 1999. It is situated on the main road into the town of Rochester. The nursery offers the use of four ground floor play rooms for different ages and functions including a baby room, toddler room and two pre-school areas. The nursery also provides a breakfast, after school club and holiday club for school age children.

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Description of the setting

The nursery operates all year round. The facility for child care is open from 07:30 until 18:00 Monday to Friday. The breakfast club operates from 07:30 until 08:30; the after school club from 15:15 until 18:00. The holiday club operates during school holiday periods from 08:00 until 18:00. 51 weeks of the year.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 102 children on roll. Of these 70 children are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. This provision is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Children come from a wide catchment area. The nursery currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties and disabilities, and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

There are 24 members of staff who are employed in the nursery, of these, 23 staff hold relevant qualifications; one staff member is attending a qualification course. The nursery is currently working towards the Medway Quality Assurance Scheme. The nursery gains support and advice from the area Special Education Needs Coordinator and Local Authority Early Years Team.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The provider has a clear vision of what she wants to achieve for the nursery and is aided by a strong management team. The wealth of written policies and procedures are systematically reviewed and improved. Parents and children are included in service reviews and any comments are noted and acted upon. The partnership with parents is highly valued and plays a key part in the nursery's provision for children with learning difficulties or disabilities. Partnership with parents is also sufficient to enable staff to meet the children's learning and development needs.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 ensure information is gathered from parents regarding children's starting points to make future planning more relevant  ensure the younger children have daily access to outdoor activities  ensure the older children can access the full range of activities provided for them

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 08/10/2008

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provision

Effective daily opening and closing procedures are practised by staff and any hazards are noted and repaired quickly, thereby ensuring children are safe and secure at all times. The provider is working closely with the local authority development workers to ensure that activity planning is changed effectively so that each individual children's needs are met. At the request of the provider the local authority are also advising on the development of the outside play area. Parents are given plenty of written information regarding the nursery to ensure they are able to make an informed decision about placing their child. The provider ensures that effective procedures are in place for the assessment of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. These include procedures to support parents and to ensure that the sharing of information is prompt and accurate. The provider and her managers attempt to maintain the effectiveness of the staff

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provision

team through regular assessment, appraisals and the provision of regular training opportunities for them. The provider's effective use of rigorous and robust staff recruitment procedures ensures that children are safe and secure at all times and are cared for by suitable staff. Staff have a good understanding of the nursery's child protection procedures and use them well to safeguard children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff use a range of good procedures to promote children's welfare. Effective hygiene procedures can be seen in use throughout the nursery, especially regarding children's personal hygiene. Children's individual dietary needs are catered for through the provision of nutritious meals and snacks. Healthy eating is promoted through wall posters and written information for parents. Children's accident and medication records are well maintained but a few parents have not been asked to provide written permission to seek emergency medical treatment for their children. However, staff don't always follow procedures regarding the disposal of broken equipment. Staff use very effective behaviour management strategies to help children manage their own behaviour and to understand how they should behave towards their peers. For example, staff discuss sharing toys and taking turns. Staff also use effective procedures to help children learn about each others' differences

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

as there are plenty of toys and pictures which show children positive images of equality within each room.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Enrolment at the nursery includes some discussion with parents about the child's developmental stages and a cursory look at the child's likes and dislikes. This means that the children's starting points are not fully recorded by staff and hinders their ability to recognise and plan for each child's individual needs. A child's key worker is allocated once children show preferences towards particular members of staff. This This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 allows staff and children to form lasting relationships. Children can usually self select from a wide range of toys and activities which allows them to have different experiences during the day. Occasionally children have to ask for equipment, or to be included in activities, which can detract from their spontaneous learning experience and self motivation. Activity plans are beginning to be adapted to meet the needs of each child. However, they do not include daily

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

outdoor activities for the younger children which impacts greatly on their physical development. Children participate in a range of activities which will contribute towards their future economic well being, such as discovering mathematical concepts through playing with construction toys and selecting books to 'read' to each other. Children's assessment records are suitable and effectively shared with parents on a regular basis. Daily contact books are also made available for parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Satisfactory How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Satisfactory How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints received since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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