Post House Nursery Ltd

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. Post House Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 206254 Inspection date 16/01/2009 Inspector Karen Ann Byfleet

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Setting address Post House Nursery, 15 High Street, Brimington, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S43 1DE Telephone number 01246 559990 Email posthousenursery@fsbdial.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

Post House Nursery opened in 1998. It is privately owned and operates from a Grade II listed building in the centre of Brimington, a Derbyshire village close to Chesterfield. Children attend from the local community and wider geographical area.

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Description of the setting

The setting is registered to provide full day care for 34 children from birth to eight years. There are currently 62 children on roll all of whom are in the early years age range. Children attend for a variety of sessions throughout the week. The nursery is open every weekday from 08:00 to 18:00 all year round except for bank holidays. The setting supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Access to the premises is level from the road side. Play rooms for children over two years are on the ground floor and for children under two years playrooms are located on the first floor and are accessed by stairs.

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Description of the setting

A total of 11 staff work directly with the children and all have a relevant early years qualification. The staff group is supported by the owner and an on-site cook.

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Description of the setting

The nursery receives support from the local authority. The owner and manager are actively involved with the Children and Young Adult Service and the National Day Nursery Association. The setting is a designated childcare provider for Brimington Childrens Centre.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Post House Nursery provides effectively for all the children who attend. Children are making good progress in their learning and development and their individual needs are met well as staff recognise and support their uniqueness and deliver an inclusive practice. Children's welfare is nurtured and they thoroughly enjoy their time in the setting. The good quality education and care is promoted through staff who engage fully with children, ensuring inclusion for all who attend. Management and staff are committed in identifying clear plans for the future of the setting as they develop and evaluate the provision. They have developed good partnerships with parents and are working to develop closer links with other agencies within the community.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems used for partnerships, with regard to links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure continuity and coherence  ensure risk assessments are carried out for all outings with regard to visits to local shops. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Effective, well maintained records, policies and procedures, which are required for the safe and efficient management of the setting, are in place. These are implemented well to ensure that the needs of all children are met and that they are well protected. However, risk assessments that cover visits to the local shops have yet to be fully implemented. Management and staff within the setting are motivated and work well as a team to ensure all children have effective opportunities to develop and make very good progress in their learning and that their welfare is promoted well. Effective, appropriately maintained records, policies and procedures, which are required for the safe and efficient management of the setting, are in place. They are implemented well to ensure that the needs of all children are met and that they are well protected. Staff are aware of the setting's policies and procedures and show a good understanding of safeguarding. There

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provision

are sound recruitment policies and procedures in place. All policies are readily available to parents together with other relevant information, which is displayed on a notice board within the setting. Children are cared for by qualified and experienced staff who are well supported by management in order for them to fully develop their skills through ongoing training.

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provision

The premises and resources are well maintained and suitable for their purpose. Staff are well deployed within the setting, ensuring ratios are maintained and that children have opportunities to freely access a wide range of age appropriate resources and activities through free choice. All staff are included in developing the setting's evaluation process. This helps to ensure effective continuous improvement through the care and education they provide.

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provision

Staff work very closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met and that a fully inclusive practice is provided for all. Parents are very involved in their children's learning as staff exchange regular information about their progress through events such as 'parent evenings' and coffee mornings. They are encouraged to continue children's learning at home through the introduction of 'home activity sheets'. These provide parents with valuable information such as the topics children will be covering, and songs and rhymes they enjoy, or are currently learning. Parents of babies are provided with daily information about their children's well- being such as food intakes and sleep times. The setting has developed very good links within the local community. For example they are a designated provider for the local children's centre and have built good relationships with the local church. However, the sharing of information through links with other

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provision

providers, where children also attend, have not yet been fully developed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled within the warm and welcoming environment where they have many opportunities to make good progress in their all-round development. All staff engage with all the children within the setting and develop positive relationships. An effective key worker system enables parents to feel confident and children to feel safe within the provision. Staff confidently use good, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 age appropriate, questioning techniques effectively to extend older children's learning and thinking. For example when a child asks for batteries for a programmable toy, staff ask if she knows what size she needs and the child confidently explains to staff that they are 'the long thin ones'.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff have good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and use this to plan enjoyable and exciting activities based around children's interests. They have implemented very effective observation and assessment systems to ensure they can monitor individual learning for all children. Plans are clear and highlight the learning objectives, with the next steps in children's learning clearly identified. There is a very good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities which cover all the areas of learning. Children are developing their independence to a good level as they attend to their own personal care needs, such as putting on their own coats, selecting resources and helping themselves at snack time by buttering their own toast.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are relaxed, confident, behave well, are eager to participate in activities and remain actively engaged. The very good labelling of children's art work around the setting promotes children's awareness of letters and numbers. Older children eagerly label their own work. Through songs and rhymes younger children are developing as awareness of numbers and older children's development in this area is enhanced through worthwhile activities such as baking and shopping. All children take part in a wide range of activities which supports their physical development both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors children have daily access to a broad range of resources that enable them to develop their physical skills well. They show good spatial awareness as they skilfully manoeuvre wheeled toys around the outdoor play area. Babies and toddlers have space to crawl and enjoy a good range of activities which develop their creativity and imagination as they play with malleable

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

resources such as corn flour, water and jelly. Children have plenty of opportunities to engage in variety of activities for exploration and investigation. For example, they plant, nurture and eat their own fruit and vegetables such as tomatoes and lettuce, which they grow in the setting's greenhouse and they plant flowers within the grounds. They also help to tend to the setting's pets. Their awareness of the wider world is extended through various religious celebrations.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A clear sick child policy and the good hygiene routines followed by the children are effective in helping to prevent cross-infection. Children are learning about the importance of healthy foods and each day they are provided with nutritious snacks and meals which include fresh fruit and vegetables. Staff are fully aware of children's individual dietary requirements and any specific needs are catered for. 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? 2 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? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 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 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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