The Wishing Tree Children's Nursery

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. The Wishing Tree Children's Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY283126 Inspection date 29/10/2008 Inspector Chris Mackinnon

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Setting address 14 Carden Avenue, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 8NA

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Telephone number 01273 551515 Email office@wishingtreenursery.com 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

The Wishing Tree Children's Nursery opened in 2004. It operates from six rooms in a converted house in the Withdean area of Brighton and Hove. The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of 78 children within the early years age range may attend at any one time. The nursery currently has 120 children on roll. The nursery is open each weekday from 08:00 to 18:00 all year. Children have access to a secure and enclosed outdoor play and learning area. There is a staff team of 33, with 17 full-time staff and 16 part-time. All have appropriate child care qualifications with most being qualified to NVQ level three or above. The ground floor of the nursery is easily accessible, and childcare also takes place on the first and second floors of the building, which are accessed by stairs.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The setting provides outstanding care and learning for children, within a highly welcoming and secure play environment. A highly organised and effectively managed staff team ensures children enjoy their learning, and their individual welfare needs are comprehensively supported. Children experience a wide range of exciting and challenging activities within a range of well prepared play areas, including a purpose built soft-play room and much access to outdoor activities. The links and partnership with parents are well established and highly organised, with dedicated staff key-persons ensuring the setting’s inclusive practice is highly effective and well considered. The planning, presentation and delivery of the setting's early learning programme is also highly effective and children make excellent learning progress. The setting’s self evaluation is thorough and accurate, clearly appraising the setting's capacity to improve, and showing the setting's

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

confidence in providing high quality childcare for children and their parents.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 develop the range of learning opportunities for children in the outdoor environment

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provision

The leadership and management is outstanding and highly effective in meeting the learning and welfare needs of all children. The management team and staff provide a comprehensively planned and confidently presented learning programme, and children’s learning development is successfully promoted. A highly organised range of activities are also provided for children, providing many opportunities to effectively extend children's learning across all the learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Those involved with leadership and management of the setting know and recognise the importance of having a well organised system in place to observe and assess children's learning progress. The setting’s self evaluation system is clear and well written and reveals a clear and thorough view of the setting's childcare provision. The management team and staff are all highly motivated to

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provision

provide high quality care and learning for children, demonstrating the setting's strong commitment to continuous improvement. The setting’s ability to be inclusive and work in partnership with others, is also well established and highly developed, with well organised and highly consistent key persons working in place. The setting has established sound working links with parents, and through assessment, parents are fully involved in their children's learning. Staff provide clear and detailed information for parents to ensure they know how their children enjoy the setting. The setting’s approach to safeguarding and keeping children safe is also well organised and highly effective, with trained and experienced staff, comprehensive risk assessments and clear guidance policies in place.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's learning development within the setting is highly effective and is successfully organised to meet children's needs, and is judged as outstanding. The setting provides a well planned and extensive programme of activities that combines traditional learning topics with the Early Years Foundation Stage themes and principles. The inclusion of the early learning goals within the planning is also excellent, with all six learning areas fully included and explored within the learning programme. Staff and key persons present children with a wide range of exciting and challenging activities and staff confidence with exploring the learning goals is highly developed. Children enjoy their activities greatly and are encouraged to initiate play and contribute their own ideas. Staff are also highly attentive, with an unrestricted range of learning opportunities provided for children to fully extend their learning development. A highly organised system is also in place to observe

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and assess children's learning progress. Staff and key persons effectively gather information to plan the next steps for their individual children. The setting's ability to provide inclusive practice is also effectively organised, with parents fully involved in their children's learning. The setting's management team and staff are aware of the need for continual improvement and through frequent team meetings and regular self evaluation, staff demonstrate a highly motivated approach to evaluating and maintaining a quality learning programme.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The setting's support and promotion of children's welfare is outstanding. The setting comprises many bright and attractive play rooms, providing children with an attractive and highly stimulating play and learning environment. The setting is excellently resourced and children greatly enjoy playing in the setting's purpose built soft play room. All children have frequent access to the setting's safe and secure outdoor area, with much free-flow play encouraged, and to support improvement, one recommendation is made to develop the range of learning opportunities provided in the outdoor play area. A highly organised and diverse range of play items and learning materials are provided to support the healthy growth and development of all ages of children attending. Staff also give close consideration to including individual children's ideas and interests. Children are securely safeguarded This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

at the setting and children's safety is highly organised and consistently supported, with continual risk assessment and a wide range of safety procedures in place. The promotion of children's health and the maintenance of hygiene within the setting is exemplary. Staff successfully promote children's awareness of healthy foods and much close attention is paid to children's physical development. Children's consistent good behaviour and awareness of the needs of others is also a strong feature within the setting. A range of festivals, planned activities and frequent visitors supports children's understanding of the wider world. Children's use of a wide range of tools and materials is also confidently promoted, with many activities provided to successfully encourage children's future skills and abilities. 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? Outstanding The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Outstanding

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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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? Outstanding How well are children helped to be healthy? Outstanding How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Outstanding How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Outstanding

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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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 made to Ofsted since registration.

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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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