The Oak Treehouse

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 Oak Treehouse Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY360642 Inspection date 21/10/2008 Inspector Sheila Boyle

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Setting address The Oak Centre, Hind Leys Campus, Forest Street, Shepshed, LE12 9DB Telephone number 01509 650742 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

The Oak Treehouse provision opened in 2007. It is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The nursery operates from three ground floor rooms in purpose-built accommodation which has access for disabled persons. The out of school care operates from five rooms within the nursery building and from several rooms at the nearby Hind Leys School on the same site. The setting works in partnership with the local authority, outside agencies and the schools to which children transfer at the age of five. A maximum of 35 children may attend the Nursery at any one time and a maximum of 70 may attend the out of school care sessions at any one time. The nursery is open from 08.00 to 18.00 weekdays for 50 weeks of the year. The out of school care operates before and after school in term time and all day during the school holidays. Children up to the age of 14 years may attend

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Description of the setting

the out of school provision. There are currently 80 children from birth to five years on the nursery register, 20 of whom receive funding for early years education. Thirty-three children attend the out of school sessions at present. All of the children have access to a fully enclosed outdoor play area and additional play space is available for those who attend the out of school care provision.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

There are some outstanding features, including a highly effective team of dedicated staff, strong links with parents and outside agencies and excellent accommodation. These ensure that children settle in quickly to a caring, nurturing and inclusive environment. Procedures to ensure children’s safety are robust and the good ratio of adults to children enables staff to supervise children vigilantly during lessons and when playing outside. The curriculum is well planned and, as a result, children get experiences in the six areas of learning at a level appropriate for their age and capabilities. Assessment is developing well and through the ‘Learning Journey’ profiles, the uniqueness and learning of each child are carefully recorded. The manager has a clear understanding of the provision’s strengths and the areas for development. The few issues highlighted in the recent Ofsted report have been fully implemented. The provision has good capacity to improve further.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop a more structured system of self evaluation to help identify areas where improvements can be made.

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provision

The leadership and management of the provision are good. The provision is well organised and the day-to-day running of the Nursery is smooth and highly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effective. There are secure policies and procedures to ensure that children are well cared for and kept safe at all times. The manager is well supported by a team of experienced and dedicated staff who work closely with parents and outside agencies to make sure that the needs of all children are fully met. For example, strong links have been established with the local speech therapist and the special needs coordinator from the local authority to ensure the children with learning difficulties get the support they need. Similarly, effective links have been established with the local infant schools to which the children transfer at the age of five. This helps toward a smooth transition and assists the teachers from those

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provision

schools to forward plan for the individual needs of the children. The staff of The Oak Treehouse Nursery have a very good understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and take appropriate account of its requirements in daily planning. Procedures for monitoring and evaluating the nursery’s work are being developed, but they are not yet formalised.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from a good range of resources and the well organised environment where there is ample space to play safely, both indoors and on the outdoor equipment. All areas accessed by children are clean and well maintained. The excellent facilities for changing babies and young children, the diligent routines and the use of disposable aprons and gloves minimises the risk of spreading infection. Older children demonstrate good levels of independence in their personal care by washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals. Children regularly participate in physical activities and use the good range of outdoor equipment at least once per day. Here they improve their coordination skills by playing together on climbing equipment and with toys and equipment for throwing, catching, pedalling and balancing. Floor activities which encourage and promote physical development are widely available for the younger children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Babies roll and crawl and toddlers become increasingly confident in their walking skills. Children have access to cold drinking water all day and they are given fruit at break-times. Healthy lunch menus are provided to encourage children to eat healthy food. Adults help children to develop language skills and children communicate with one another and with staff. Children learn to interact with each other as adults encourage them to negotiate and take turns in play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A wide range of varied and stimulating activities captivates children’s interest and imagination. For example a class of three year olds were learning about nature by planting pansies in a number of disused car tyres which they were filling with compost. They explored the texture of the compost and discussed the colour of the pansies. Older children made patterns and pictures by printing with autumn leaves they had collected earlier. Each child is treated as an individual and samples of their work are attractively displayed on walls or included in their ‘Learning Journey’ profile. Children are happy and they grow in confidence as they independently explore different aspects of the provision and learn new language through cooperative play. Older children are beginning to take on responsibilities such as distributing small pieces of equipment to their peers and tidying away after lessons have finished. Children’s behaviour is good, they are fully aware of the nursery’s

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 rules and they respond well to requests from adults and to the praise they receive for good work and for helping one another. 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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