Little Rascals

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. Little Rascals Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY374347 Inspection date 23/01/2009 Inspector Karen Cockings

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Setting address Little Rascals Nursery, 425 Halifax Road, Sheffield, S6 1AF

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Telephone number 01442 852440 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

Little Rascals Nursery opened originally in 1995 but was re-registered in 2008 under new ownership. It is a privately owned setting which operates from a two storey converted house, situated in the Grenoside and Parson Cross area of Sheffield, close to the A61 route into the city and to public transport systems. Access to the nursery is via a sloping driveway to the main door or to the toddler room entrance.

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Description of the setting

Children are accommodated in six playrooms on both floors of the building and are grouped according to age. The baby unit is on the first floor, toddlers have their own ground floor room, and the older children move between rooms at both levels. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area, part of which has a safety surface.

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Description of the setting

The nursery is open every weekday throughout the year from 08.00 to 18.00, with the exception of the Christmas and New Year Bank Holidays. Children attend for a variety of sessions. A maximum of 53 children may attend the nursery at any one time. There are currently 95 children in the early years age group on roll. The setting is registered to provide funded nursery education to those children of eligible age, and it supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities and those for whom English is an additional language. It is registered on the Early Years Register, and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the setting

The nursery employs 13 staff to work directly with the children, 11 of whom hold an appropriate early years qualification. The nursery receives support from the local authority and has attained a Gold award in the local quality assurance scheme, Pathways to Quality.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Self-evaluation systems are used well to identify areas for further development and there is a firm commitment to the continuous improvement of the setting. Children are happy and secure in the nursery, where staff build positive partnerships with parents to promote continuity of care, although opportunities to involve them in their children's learning are not yet fully exploited. Children's safety and well-being are suitably promoted but fire safety procedures are not routinely practised, and outdoor spaces are not yet used to their full potential for all children. Staff are making effective use of their observations of children to help them to make good progress in most areas, and they provide effective support where there are additional needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve systems for raising staff and children's awareness of fire safety This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures by conducting regular fire drills  further develop opportunities for parents to be involved in their children's learning and to contribute to children's development records  review the deployment of staff to ensure qualification requirements are always maintained appropriately and assess the impact on children of the use of students in the setting  continue to develop the planning and provision of activities, particularly in relation to the full use of the outdoors for all children.

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provision

Children are cared for by an enthusiastic and committed staff team, who work together well to enhance children's experiences at the nursery. Systems for monitoring and evaluating practice are used effectively to bring about improvements. For example, the setting works closely with early years advisors, and has participated in a pilot audit scheme to identify strengths and areas for further development. They have successfully completed the local authority quality assurance scheme. Recommendations from inspections related to the previous registration have been suitably addressed and have improved outcomes for children.

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provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded because there are sound recruitment systems in place, which ensure that appropriate checks are carried out on new staff. Through clear induction, supervision and appraisal procedures, staff are suitably supported in their professional development. Child protection is seen as a key area for training and all staff are currently updating knowledge and skills in this area. Staff provide good levels of supervision as children move around the building and are careful about their security. They are generally deployed well, although insufficient attention is given to the impact on children of the numbers of students in the building at any one time. Also there are difficulties in maintaining qualification requirements consistently in some rooms, although the manager and deputy are available to cover if needed.

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provision

Required records, policies and procedures are maintained appropriately to support children's safety and well-being. Some documents, such as accident records, lack detail which could be significant, and policies and procedures have not yet been fully updated to reflect changes to the setting and to regulations. For example, complaints procedures in the parents' handbook do not contain current information. Risk assessments are in place and are being reviewed and developed. New fire safety equipment has been installed, although children and staff are not sufficiently familiar with the procedures to follow because regular fire drills have not recently been conducted.

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provision

The nursery provides a welcoming environment for children and their parents who comment positively on the relationships they have with staff, their approachability and the support given to their children. The nursery has begun to introduce effective measures to further develop the partnership with parents. For example, they invite parents to share their views about the service and actively consult them This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about proposed changes. Daily conversations and the use of a two-way diary or record sheet for younger children, ensure that information is shared appropriately. Helpful information leaflets are available in the reception area for parents to read and take away, such as information about simple activities they can do at home to support mathematical learning. Children's records are readily available, but there are, as yet, no formal systems in place for sharing these or for inviting parents'

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provision

contributions to them. The nursery is beginning to forge links with other providers where there is shared care and staff work effectively with other professionals, such as speech therapists, to support individual children and enable them to participate fully.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children build trusting relationships with the adults who care for them. Babies arrive happily or are given gentle support and reassurance if they are unsettled. Older children are eager to meet friends and to tell staff about important events in their lives, such as a visit to the swimming pool. Children are generally confident as they move around the setting and keen to explore the play experiences on offer. They behave well and learn how to play cooperatively together, although staff do not always clearly explain why their behaviour may be harmful to others. Playrooms are clean, bright and comfortable, with suitable child-sized furniture and resources stored accessibly on low level shelving units. Some lovely home-made resources are used well to promote children's learning. For example, the toddlers thoroughly enjoy a picture matching game, while some of the older children happily recall earlier experiences as they share books with photographs and stories

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

about their visits to the woods and to the supermarket.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff plan and provide a good balance of worthwhile activities for children in all age groups. The youngest children currently have fewer opportunities to be outdoors, although there are plans in place to remedy this as the garden area is developed. Staff make regular observations of children as they play, which guide their planning and which are included in children's records. They make effective use of the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance materials and their own observations to help them to identify the next steps in children's learning. Staff work hard to enhance the continuous provision they are offering to children; they attend and implement new ideas from training and devise action plans to further develop their practice.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children thoroughly enjoy creative and imaginative play experiences. They choose materials to make collage pictures, spend time pouring water into different containers and make models with tubes and cartons. They use language well as they explain to others what they are doing and develop a story line in their role play. Children have worked together on a colourful dragon to use as they dance in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Toddlers cuddle up to staff as they listen to a favourite story, squealing with excitement, while babies love to explore their environment, pressing buttons and practising physical skills as they crawl through the play tunnel or push along wheeled toys. There is limited access for older children to the computer, which is housed downstairs, although they use other technological equipment, such as the digital camera, and some of their 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

Children's growing independence is nurtured as part of daily routines and activities. Older children help to cut up fruit at snack time and carefully spread butter on their toast. They are able to access drinking water themselves from the water dispenser if they are thirsty. Staff encourage parents to send healthy lunch boxes for their children who talk together about foods that are good for them. Their awareness of safety is raised as they move about their environment and learn how to use equipment safely. The outdoor area is not currently used to its full potential, although children enjoy active play as they pedal tricycles and run around together. Exciting plans are being developed to improve the use of the outdoor spaces in consultation with parents, children and other agencies. 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

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is 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? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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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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