Kingfisher Nursery

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. Kingfisher Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 224124 Inspection date 06/11/2008 Inspector Peter Isherwood

p.1

Setting address Kingfisher Nursey School, Holy Cross GM School, Wenlock Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6LE Telephone number 01743 248157 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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the setting

Kingfisher Nursery is privately owned and has been open since 2001. The nursery operates in two rooms of the Treetops Kids Club's demountable building which is situated within the school grounds of Holy Cross School, near the centre of Shrewsbury. A maximum of 26 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The setting is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. It has links with other EYFS settings in the area.

p.3

Description of the setting

The nursery is open each weekday from 09:15 to 15:00 during school term times. Access to the building is via a small number of steps. There is a contingency plan to use a temporary ramp if disabled access is required. Children have access to a secure outdoor play area.

p.3

Description of the setting

There are currently 47 children from two years to five years on roll. Of these, 32 children receive funding for nursery education. Children attend a variety of sessions each week. The nursery currently supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

p.3

Description of the setting

There are four staff members working with the children, three of whom hold recognised childcare qualifications while the fourth is currently working towards a qualification. The setting receives support from the local authority.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children at Kingfisher Nursery receive excellent provision. The nursery promotes inclusive practice and provides a range of very well-planned activities which meet the needs of all children. Observations of what children can do are excellent, although, occasionally, adults do not record what children need to do next in enough detail. Children’s welfare and safety are paramount in everyone’s mind; systems and procedures ensure that every child is as safe as possible. Excellent links with the neighbouring school and agencies ensure that children are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their education. There is an outstanding capacity to maintain the improvement that has taken place.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 ensure that the excellent observations of what children can do are used consistently to record the next steps in learning for each child. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

provision

The nursery is excellently led. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and regulations have been successfully adopted by the manager and her staff. Planning is of very good quality and relates well both to individual children and the wider requirements of the EYFS. When planning activities the staff are mindful of the age and interests of the children in their care. There is a great sense of team work and everyone knows what everyone else is doing. Staff regularly carry out very good self evaluation. They look carefully at what they are doing and make improvements for the benefit of the children. There is excellent capacity to improve even further.

p.4

provision

All the recommendations raised in the previous inspection have been met. The staff and parents have been particularly pro-active in using a voucher scheme run by a national supermarket to obtain climbing equipment. Observations during this inspection showed that not only have climbing and balancing skills improved but children get a great deal of enjoyment as they play on the equipment.

p.4

provision

Arrangements for ensuring children’s safety are very robust. Child protection procedures are of very good quality and adults who are going to be in contact with the children are thoroughly vetted. Risk assessments both for indoor and outdoor activities are carried out to ensure that the chance of any accidents is minimised.

p.4

provision

The nursery is secure and children are very well supervised by the adults. Equipment both inside and outside is of good quality and is used effectively to develop learning.

p.4

provision

There are excellent relationships with parents; as one parent said, ‘You really feel that you are a partner in your child’s learning’. Parents say that the learning journals children bring home are very useful because they show how much progress their child is making. Strong links with the neighbouring school help the children move on at the end of their time in nursery. Children with particular needs are very well catered for by the nursery. Very good links with the speech and language therapists ensure that children with communication difficulties are very well cared for. There are close links with the before and after school club and relevant information is shared to ensure that children receive continuous care.

p.4

provision

Racial and cultural awareness are promoted very strongly at Kingfisher Nursery. Displays and resources are used very effectively to celebrate the diverse society that exists in Britain and the wider world.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children participate in an excellent range of activities from the moment they arrive at the nursery. Self-registration is used very effectively to develop independence. The room is welcoming and an excellent mix of posters and children’s work are displayed very effectively. Routines are well established and children know where to go and what to do. They co-operate with each other very well. Two children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 took it in turns to ‘fly’ a model aircraft as they played happily together. All staff know the children very well and children respond positively, not only to their key worker, but also to the other adults in the room.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

There is a very good mix of activities that are led by adults and initiated by the children. This develops children’s ability to make choices and decisions. They use the book corner confidently and handle books with care. They are interested in stories and listen very well in ‘story time’. All adults interact very well with children and act as good role models, both socially and when asking and answering questions. Mark-making and activities such as tracing or drawing over shapes develop children’s writing and early number skills very effectively.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Adults have very high expectations of children. They use every possible chance to develop skills. In group registration, for example, children develop their counting skills very effectively as they count the number in their group. Children make very good progress in their understanding of letter sounds, with older children moving on to double vowel sounds such as ‘ee’.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have very positive attitudes to learning. They want to learn and are very happy with the activities offered to them. In the outside area, they show excellent personal development when they play together and wait to take their turn on climbing equipment.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff observe and record what children do. These records are linked very well to the EYFS. Observations are used to plan the next stage of development in each child’s learning. Occasionally these individual plans are not specific enough and refer to what children in general should do rather than focusing on the needs of each individual child.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s welfare is very well promoted and the nursery provides a very safe environment. Adults place very good emphasis on hygiene and children are told to wash their hands at appropriate times. Staff use snack times and lunchtimes very effectively to reinforce the importance of healthy eating and drinking. Children are given a choice of drink and provided with fresh fruit. Staff ensure that all surfaces are as clean as possible both before and after children have eaten. Children who have to take medicine or who have allergies are looked after very well. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

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? 1

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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?

p.6

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.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.8

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.8

Detail of the complaint/s

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

p.8

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.8