Conkers

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. Conkers Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY296435 Inspection date 22/01/2009 Inspector Gill Thornton

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Setting address Chestnut Tree Farm, The Heywood, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 5SZ

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Telephone number 01379 644461 Email debbie@conkers4kids.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).

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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

Conkers is a privately run nursery that opened in 2005. It operates from two main playrooms within a renovated farm building near Diss, in Norfolk. The whole building is on one level and is accessed via a slope, an accessible toilet is available. All children have access a fully enclosed outside play area. A maximum of 30 children may attend at any one time. The setting is open each weekday from 08.00 until 18.00 for 52 weeks a year, excluding bank holidays.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 52 children on roll, all of whom are within the early years age range. The setting is in receipt of funding for nursery education. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. Children who attend come from the surrounding villages.

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Description of the setting

The setting employs 11 staff who work directly with the children. Nine of these hold appropriate early years qualifications and two of these are working towards a further qualification. The nursery receives support from a local authority Early Years Support Teacher.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children thrive and make good progress from an early age at this small, friendly nursery. The warm, friendly relationships developed between staff, children and their parents ensure all children are included and enjoy their time at the setting. Children benefit from the well-resourced and thoughtfully planned indoor and outdoor learning environment. Staff work well together as an effective team and are able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the nursery to prioritise areas for development to improve outcomes for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide further opportunities to promote positive attitudes to diversity from an early age through activities that encourage children to talk about similarities, differences and the reasons for these  continue to review the provision to provide further opportunies for child- intiated play, for example, to encourage their creativity by enabling children to make real choices of techniques, materials and resources.

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provision

Stringent recruitment and induction procedures and a commitment to ongoing training ensures children are well cared for by dedicated, knowledgeable staff. Clear policies and procedures underpin the good practice at the nursery, these are reviewed and updated regularly and shared with all staff to ensure they are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 implemented effectively to support the care, welfare and safety of the children attending. Staff's knowledge of safeguarding procedures is kept up-to-date through regular training to ensure they are fully aware of their responsibilities to protect children. Regular staff meetings to share practice and reflect upon the care provided, ensure staff share a common view of providing children with a rich, personalised experience tailored to meet the needs of the individual children attending.

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provision

The nursery provides children with a balanced range of nutritious, freshly cooked meals tailored to meet their individual dietary needs, these are thoughtfully prepared and served so that every child is fully included. The use of very child- friendly bowls and cutlery helps babies and the youngest children attempt to feed themselves. The nursery has a spacious dining room where all the children enjoy the social occasion of eating together in a family-orientated manner.

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provision

Staff fully recognise the benefits of working in partnership with parents and strive to provide frequent opportunities to promote their involvement in their children's learning. For example, regularly inviting them to make an appointment to view their child's assessment records with their key person. Parents are highly complimentary of friendly, approachable staff and 'family feel' to the nursery, they value the flexible pattern of attendance, which suits their individual requirements and circumstances.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident and self-assured in their interactions with staff and each other. Older children use language well to articulate their feelings, express their views and ideas as they play together happily. A good balance of child-initiated and adult-led play-based activities are used by staff to extend children's learning and development and provide them appropriate challenge. Babies and younger children enjoy daily planned opportunities for messy play and mark-making. For example, exploring paint with their whole bodies while wearing just their nappies. Older children demonstrate their ability to recall what happens when they mix different colour paints together and they all enjoy experimenting with the range of paints available. However, children do not regularly have free access to a choice of techniques, materials and resources to encourage them to experiment with their own creativity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff skilfully plan stimulating learning opportunities based firmly upon children's interests and capabilities to ensure activities meet the needs of individual children and form a firm foundation for their future learning. They are flexible and to respond to children's spontaneous interests such as when helping them make a 'bat cave' in response to their 'superhero' play. All staff use good strategies to make learning fun, they delight in children's play and encourage their sense of achievement as they exclaim how clever the children are. All children develop a love of books as they freely choose their favourites to share with each other and staff. They excitedly line up for their turn to exchange books when the library van visits the nursery. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Babies and younger children have ample space indoors to practise their physical

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

skills in safety such as on the small carpeted climbing tunnel and slide. The nursery has a strong ethos of outdoor play and makes the most of fine weather to explore the farm and adjoining footpaths where children enjoy firsthand experiences of the changing seasons. This provides children with many opportunities to develop an understanding of keeping themselves safe. Staff are good role models and share a calm, consistent approach to promoting responsible behaviour. Children understand the simple rules and routines of the nursery, for example, they know they are allowed to fill the toy teapot from the tap as long as they are careful not to overfill it. Children are learning to show care and concern each other. They have access to resources reflecting a positive view of diversity and develop a simple understanding of other languages. For example, at registration some children respond to their name with 'bonjour'. However, posters and photographs showing

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the diversity of the wider world, displayed at child-height, are not used to provide opportunities to further their understanding of people's similarities and differences. 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 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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