Otley Under Fives Centre

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. Otley Under Fives Centre Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 251590 Inspection date 22/10/2008 Inspector Cheryl Thompson

p.1

Setting address Otley Primary School, Chapel Road, Otley, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6 9NT Telephone number 07789468853 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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). This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Description of the setting

Otley Under Fives Centre was registered in 1983. It is registered on the Early Years Register and meets requirements. It operates from a mobile unit within the grounds of Otley County Primary School. Access to the mobile is via several steps, therefore not suitable for wheelchair users. There is no specific toilet facility for the disabled. The pre-school serves the local and surrounding area. A maximum of 16 children may attend the pre-school at any one time. The pre-school opens between 09.00 and 12.00 each morning during term time. The children have access to their own enclosed garden as well as the school playground, field and apparatus.

p.3

Description of the setting

There are currently 12 children aged from two and a half years to five years on roll. Of these nine receive funding for nursery education. The setting supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

p.3

Description of the setting

The Under Fives Centre employs three part-time staff who have appropriate qualifications. A rota of parents ensures that there is at least one volunteer helper each session.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Otley Under Fives Centre provides excellent care and pre-school education. Staff are very well trained. Consequently, they are successful in promoting all aspects of children’s welfare and learning. Children make good progress in their learning and excellent progress in their personal development. Partnerships with parents and the adjacent primary school are key strengths. The capacity for further improvement is excellent.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 install a ramp to provide easier access to the building  gain an even better understanding of how early numeracy skills are taught in the primary school

p.3

provision

At Otley Under Fives Centre, aspirations are high and staff work as a very effective team. Key features of the Centre’s success are the staff’s knowledge of the expectations for early years provision and the commitment of parents to being volunteers. The regular and skilled parental input ensures a very good adult to child ratio. Children’s safety and welfare are high priorities. Policies and practice for child protection, for dealing with accidents and illness, and for checking the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 suitability of all adults who work with the children meet current requirements. Daily checks of equipment, the building and outside area ensure they are safe for children to use. Self-evaluation is developing very well and contributed to by staff, parents and the Committee. Consequently, there is a clear picture of strengths and areas to develop further, which include ideas from parents and children. Links with

p.3

provision

parents and carers are excellent; they speak highly of the provision for their children and for the information they are given about their children’s accomplishments. They say that their regular volunteer session helps them know how they can extend their children’s learning at home. Links with the on-site primary school are very strong so that the transition from the Centre to school is a very positive experience.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s personal, social and emotional development, communication skills, physical development and knowledge and understanding of the world are wide ranging but broadly typical for the age range. The wide range of activities on offer promotes physical and mental activity very well. Children make consistently good progress because staff make learning great fun and use questioning very effectively to help children think and develop their vocabulary. Excellent progress is made in children’s personal, social and emotional development because they have plenty of opportunities to make choices, are guided sensitively and always encouraged to ‘have a go’ and be independent. Staff make detailed observations whilst children are undertaking identified tasks. From these observations, the next steps in children’s learning and development are clearly identified and agreed with parents so that they can work with the Centre to support their children’s learning at home. Strong links

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

with the primary school have ensured that the teaching and learning of letter sounds are approached in a similarly positive manner. Centre staff are developing these links further with regard to children’s mathematical development.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The curriculum includes a good balance between adult-led and child-initiated activities both indoors and out, which children enjoy very much. The steps into the building are not easy to manage for the youngest children so that they need adult support which curtails the free flow of indoor and outside activities. In addition to the six required areas of learning, staff take every opportunity to develop children’s understanding of a healthy and safe lifestyle, for example, washing hands before eating and choosing healthy food at snack time. Social skills are taught extremely well and reinforced at very friendly snack times when children eat and chat together. Children make an excellent contribution to their group by, for example, signing up to help tidy things away. The good range of visits extends children’s horizons very well. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5

Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

p.5

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Outstanding

p.5

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Outstanding

p.5

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

p.5

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

p.5

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

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.6

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.

p.6