The Play Hut

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 Play Hut Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 301135 Inspection date 04/09/2008 Inspector Karen Marie Tervit

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Setting address 347 North Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 3BL

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Telephone number 01325 362526 Email playhut@hotmail.co.uk 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 Play Hut Day Nursery opened in June 1994 and is owned by a limited company. It operates from a two storey property with a large two storey extension. There is no lift to the first floor. To the rear of the property there is separate building for the out of school provision. There is an enclosed outdoor play area for all the children. The nursery is situated on the north side of Darlington within easy distance of Darlington town centre. The nursery serves the local and surrounding community.

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Description of the setting

It is registered on the Early Years Register, and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, for a maximum of 61 children at any one time. There are currently 83 children on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports children with learning difficulties and those who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

The nursery opens five days a week all year round except bank holidays and public holidays. Sessions are from 08.00 to 18.00. The nursery employs 13 staff, all of these hold an appropriate early years qualification. Two staff are working towards further qualifications. The nursery receives support from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and secure environment. They are provided with a range of positive learning opportunities which enable them make good progress. The setting’s inclusive practice ensures that partnerships with parents are strong and children’s individual needs are known and met. Management and staff are involved in self-evaluation, working well together to identify areas which need to be improved and to build on the good practice already in place, resulting in a provision which is responsive to the needs of the children and parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the existing policies and procedures to ensure they are up-to- date and reflect current practice  continue to develop the planning for outdoor play, particularly for the older, more able pre-school children.

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provision

The management team have a clear vision and work well together to promote good outcomes for children. All staff are suitably qualified and vetting procedures for all adults are robust, effectively safeguarding children. Many of the staff are very experienced. They all have a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Stage curriculum. Staff are enthusiastic and motivated in relation to their own professional development and are very well supported in accessing further training, both in-house and external. This has a positive impact on the children’s learning and development. A good range of policies and procedures is in place, however, some of these are out-of-date and do not reflect current practice.

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provision

Good links are in place with parents, carers and other agencies, especially the local primary school. This promotes a shared approach to children's ongoing learning and care needs and their transition into school. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their children and information is sought regarding children's starting points. As well as consulting with parents the manager uses other resources, such as the internet, for research so children's individual needs can be well met.

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provision

Since the last inspection, previous recommendations have been effectively implemented to promote the outcomes for children. For example, children aged two to three now have easy access to resources. The management and staff team are also committed to continuous improvement; for example, the outdoor area has been further developed to offer children a wide range of learning experiences, new staff are encouraged to reflect on their strengths and benefit from the skills of more experienced staff.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are interested and motivated to learn. Staff have a good understanding of the learning and development requirements and how young children learn. They plan a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities across all areas of learning both indoors and outdoors. However, the planning for the older children to access outdoors sometimes lacks sufficient challenge. Staff observe children well and use this to plan the next steps in children’s learning. Children are grouped in age appropriate rooms that are well resourced. Even very young children confidently select their own toys and activities and move around independently. For example, young children delight in making their own pizzas or playing with the pots and pans in the exciting outdoor area. Older children develop good mouse skills while using simple computer programmes; they compare heights as they measure themselves and use their imagination well in the role play area.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well behaved and develop good relationships with staff and each other. Staff are good role models and give children praise and encouragement for their achievements. This contributes to the children's sense of trust and develops their positive attitude to learning. Staff have good links with parents and carers and positively promote their involvement in their child's care and learning. For example, planning is displayed and regular newsletters encourage parents to follow through children’s learning at home. Parents are also able to settle children according to individual needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children receive a healthy and balanced diet, developing good independence skills as even very young children are encouraged to feed themselves. Risk assessments are in place where risks are identified and minimised and children are well This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 supervised. Staff help children to understand how to keep themselves safe as they offer gentle explanations; for example, they help children to negotiate the stairs to and from the pre-school room safely, and understand why they need to walk not run when accessing the outdoor area. 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? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good 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 made to Ofsted 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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