Caring Kindergartens

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. Caring Kindergartens Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 200548 Inspection date 10/02/2009 Inspector Lucy Showell

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Setting address 369 Birmingham Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 0RF Telephone number 01789 298563 Email stratford@caring-kindergartens.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). This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Caring kindergartens opened in 1997. The setting is privately owned and managed and is part of a small chain of settings run by the same provider. It operates from a large detached property on the outskirts of Stratford-upon-Avon. The nursery serves the local area and has links with the local schools. There is a fully enclosed play area available for outdoor play.

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Description of the setting

A maximum of 55 children may attend the setting at any one time. There are currently 44 children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and a number of these receive funding for early years provision. The setting is registered on the Early Years Register. The group opens five days a week all year round except public holidays. Sessions are from 07:30 until 18:00. Children are able to attend for a variety of sessions.

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Description of the setting

The setting supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and who speak English as an additional language. The childcare is arranged over the ground and first floors with an office and staff area on the second floor. All levels are accessed by stairs only.

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Description of the setting

The setting employs 14 members of child care staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications and one has Early Years Professional Status. The setting receives support from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children of all ages are settled and relaxed within this warm and welcoming environment. Staff have clear understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and good knowledge of children’s individual requirements. As a result, the provision supports all children’s individual needs within their ethos of ‘fun whilst learning’. Staff demonstrate good capacity for continuous improvement through effective systems of self-evaluation and clear monitoring of strengths and weaknesses. As a result, they have identified priorities for improvements such as developing the outside areas with exciting plans in place and some funding agreed.

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further?

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

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further?

 update written information for parents and staff in line with current guidance match observations to the expectations of the early learning goals.

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provision

Children are cared for by enthusiastic staff and valuable links with senior management and staff from other settings within the organisation demonstrate a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 clear vision for all who attend the nursery. Staff seek and follow advice and guidance from external agencies to ensure children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are fully supported and effective systems are in place for sharing information with other provisions. Staff qualifications and ratios exceed the welfare requirements, robust systems are in place for recruitment and appropriate vetting and induction procedures ensure children are safeguarded by suitable adults. Staff demonstrate clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and identify professional development and training needs through thorough appraisals. They attend regular meetings and in-house training and they confidently share

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provision

knowledge, question practice and test new ideas.

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provision

Detailed information such as policies and procedures and records of accidents and medication are in place and staff have a clear knowledge of their purpose and are able to implement fully. However, some of the written documentation is not in line with current guidance. There are strong relationships with parents and carers which are promoted through daily feedback about their child's achievements, useful information such as newsletters and notices and the children are encouraged to take home any creative work they have completed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s overall welfare is actively promoted as they are welcomed into the setting by friendly staff. Good health is promoted as children are provided with freshly prepared and nutritious meals and snacks which meet individual requirements and free access to water ensures children are suitably refreshed. Clear risk assessments are maintained to safeguard children and staff ensure all areas used are safe and secure through regular checks of premises and equipment. Staff have a sound knowledge of child protection procedures and demonstrate confidence in their responsibilities when raising or dealing with concerns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children in the EYFS age group are provided with opportunities to reach their potential through the staffs’ clear knowledge of the children and the learning and development requirements. Good systematic and opportune observations of children’s interests and progress are completed, although, they are not always linked to the six areas of learning and development. Individual assessments are carried out effectively and photographic evidence and examples of the children’s work are kept to share children’s progress with parents. These and ‘Wow’ moments, which are recorded by parents at home and displayed within the setting, are used effectively to plan for children’s next steps and build a foundation for future development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Daily activities and experiences are planned with regard to current themes and to meet with individual development levels. Babies and children undertow years enjoy choosing activities from a good range set out by staff and have some ability to access resources independently with safe supervision. Colourful mobiles and samples of children’s creations decorate the rooms and useful resources such as netting, cushions and cupboards define appropriate areas for young children to explore while creative experiences such as painting and collage take place in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 designated areas.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Older children develop responsibility of their actions and show respect and concern for others effectively. They take turns and share resources with their peers whilst asking and responding to valuable questions and offering ideas to extend play. Their sense of belonging is promoted through interactive and low level displays and through opportunities to change their environment. For example, outside child have used twigs and branches to set the scene to recreate the story of the bear hunt and made obstacle courses which are left out to access over a period of time. Inside children ‘film’ each other in the television studio as they relate the weather forecast using maps and weather charts that they have made.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children choose many of the activities which are provided through selecting favourite items from clear storage boxes around the rooms. They enjoy building with small construction bricks and estimate how many more bricks are needed to make the tower taller than them before selecting measuring tapes to compare their heights with the tower. At quiet time children sit intently listening to stories they have borrowed from the mobile library. They have extensive interest of books, demonstrated through comparing aspects of familiar stories, explaining about the author and illustrator and answer practitioners questions about what happens next.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy many activities which are recorded in the events folder to share with existing and proposed parents at the setting. Newspaper clippings, photographs and captions show festivals and special events such as traffic awareness day including a visit from a local lollipop man and dressing up in fluorescent safety jackets and engaging in sessions with a parent sharing expertise as a doctor and providing children opportunities to learn about our bodies and bones as they explore a skeleton. 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 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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