Dots 'N' Spots Day Nursery and Out of School Club

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. Dots 'N' Spots Day Nursery and Out of School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY268443 Inspection date 12/11/2008 Inspector Tara Street

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Setting address Skelton Primary School, Station Lane, Skelton-in-Cleveland, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Cleveland, TS12 2LR Telephone number 01287 654930 Email Out of School 01287 653600 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

Dots ‘N’ Spots Children’s Day Nursery and Out of School Club Ltd is managed by a voluntary committee. It opened in 2003 and operates mainly from self contained premises in the grounds of Skelton Primary School. The out of school club is accommodated in designated premises within the school. There are no issues which may hinder access to the premises. A maximum of 112 children aged from birth to eight years may attend the setting at any one time. The nursery is open five days a week from 07.30 to 18.00 all year.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 172 children on roll, of these, 148 are under eight years of age. There are 121 children within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). No children are in receipt of funding for nursery education. The setting also offers care to children aged eight to 11 years. The setting supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and also supports children who speak English as an additional language. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the setting

There are 31 members of staff, including the manager, who work directly with the children. All of the staff hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The nursery provides a positive experience for children due to the quality of interaction with staff and the variety of resources and activities available daily. Staff ensure that all activities are accessible, with early independence encouraged. Staff carefully consider the age, stage and abilities of individual children in their planning to ensure that all children are fully included. All involved in the nursery continually strive to improve, resolve any weaknesses and implement new ideas.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure parental signatures are consistently gained on accident and medication records to show that parents have been informed  ensure that a record is consistently maintained of regular risk assessment checks and when and by who they have been made and ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that hazards to children in the outside play area are kept to a minimum  provide more regular opportunities for children to access and develop their skills in using information and communication technology. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Management are actively involved in the daily running of the nursery and as a result realistically identify their strengths and weaknesses. They have a well qualified, skilled staff group whose positive attitude towards children instil in them the desire to explore and discover things for themselves. The manager demonstrates a strong commitment to improvement and has a clear understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The nursery provides a spacious, child-friendly environment and maintains high ratios so that staff are deployed efficiently to keep children safe and meet their needs.

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provision

Measures have been put in place to successfully respond to previous recommendations, resulting in changes to the pre-school register and organisation of lunch time routines to encourage children’s independence. Effective systems are used to continually evaluate the provision and include staff and parents’ views. For example, the nursery has identified the outside play area as an area for development so that children can grow their own produce. Children are safeguarded because there are robust systems in place for the recruitment, vetting and induction of new staff, with ongoing appraisal of performance, identifying staff training needs. Staff are encouraged to update their skills and knowledge, sharing what they have learnt on their return to the benefit of the whole nursery. Most required policies, procedures and records are well maintained. However, a record is not consistently maintained of regular risk assessment checks and when and by

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provision

whom they have been made, and risk assessments in the outside pre-school area do not currently consider all potential hazards. Parental signatures are not consistently gained on accident and medication records to show that parents have been appropriately informed.

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provision

Partnerships with parents and other early years professionals are strong which enables the nursery to fully meet children’s individual needs. Parents receive good quality information about the setting. They discuss children’s progress with their key worker daily and have regular opportunities to look at their records, including taking them home for more in-depth reading.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A good variety of activities are always available providing all children with a broad and balanced curriculum. Children are happy, confident, encouraged towards independence, communicate readily with adults and each other, allowed to follow their interests and develop their ideas. They have a daily choice of several adult- supported activities which provide focussed learning opportunities alongside many others that are of free choice. Staff are mindful of the individual children participating, for example, a story and discussion activity is presented in slightly different ways to each group of children to ensure that all are challenged and their understanding extended. Staff deployment is good. There is always someone on hand to support those that need it, particularly with younger children, but they are also skilled at leaving children alone at times to be active in their own learning. 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 benefit from the staff's use of questioning, genuine interest in what they are doing and appropriate interaction in their activities. The premises are well organised, allowing children access to the outdoor area for long periods daily which develops their coordination and balance skills. Children are confident using number and enjoy using it in everyday activities. For example, they count how many snails they find under a tyre in the garden. Children enjoy exploring their creative skills with paints, crayons, paper and a variety of textured materials for collage work. Children's information and communication technology skills are generally promoted as they experience a suitable range of opportunities to access a digital camera, compact disc player and a computer. However, opportunities for children to explore technology, such as programmable toys and role play resources, are limited. Their knowledge and understanding of the world around

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

them is effectively promoted through daily resources and their involvement in a wide range of activities which look at different celebrations and cultures from around the world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and well-being is actively promoted by the nursery through the sickness policy, cleaning routines, balanced menu and good access to drinks to maintain hydration. Children behave well as staff promote positive behaviour and handle incidents quickly and consistently, using methods that are appropriate to the age and understanding of the children involved. 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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