The Secret Garden

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 Secret Garden Private Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY314685 Inspection date 25/02/2009 Inspector Anne McKay

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Setting address 69 Musters Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 7PY Telephone number 0115 981 7837 Email sylvia@secret-garden-childcare.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

The Secret Garden Private Day Nursery was established in 2005. It is run by a limited company and operates from four rooms in a converted house in West Bridgford. Children have access to a secure rear garden for outside play. The nursery entrance is accessed via one step. The nursery serves the local area and is open on weekdays from 08:00 to 18:00 for 52 weeks of the year with the exception of Bank Holidays.

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Description of the setting

The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. It is registered to care for a maximum of 45 children aged under eight at any one time. Of these, 45 may be in the early years age range. There are currently 64 children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age range. The nursery receives funding for nursery education and supports children with special educational needs and children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs 14 staff including the manager. Of these, 12 hold a relevant early years qualification and 2 are working towards a qualification. The registered person is working towards a foundation degree. The nursery receives support from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are happy and settled at the nursery where they have secure and positive relationships with staff. Their individual needs are met consistently well and children play and learn with enthusiasm, accessing a good range of resources that are suitable to promote their development in all areas. Activities are planned to ensure all children are included and staff generally offer very good support. Children make good progress towards the early learning goals. Children’s welfare is mostly met to a high standard. The nursery shows a strong commitment to continuous improvement and practice is monitored effectively to identify and plan for developments that will further improve the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the risk assessment covers anything with which a child may come into contact  develop staff's skills in asking open questions to support and extend children's learning.

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provision

Children are cared for by a committed and well-established team of staff most of whom are qualified. The manager has a clear vision for the nursery and supports This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the staff in attending relevant training to further develop their existing good knowledge and skills. Staff have recently attended training in baby signing so they can support children's early communication skills. The management have undertaken a thorough process of self-evaluation that accurately reflects the nursery's strengths and identifies some areas that they would like to further improve such as the garden area and introducing a process of self-registration for the children. The nursery has successfully addressed all the recommendations from the last inspection, for example, by developing their systems for planning and assessment. These have been further developed to meet the requirements of the

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provision

Early Years Foundation Stage in planning for individual children. Children are kept safe through mostly efficient risk assessments that cover outings, the premises and equipment, although two dolls, not in perfect condition, pose a small potential hazard to children. Staff have a good understanding of the safeguarding children procedures and know how to implement these to protect children.

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provision

The nursery works with other agencies and professionals appropriately to help support and include individual children. Children who speak English as an additional language are integrated well and the nursery has good systems in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The nursery’s good practice is underpinned by well written policies and procedures that inform parents about the care provided and about the nursery’s business practices. Staff work closely with parents to keep up-to-date through a daily verbal exchange of information, through written records and parent's evenings when parents can meet with their child’s key worker to discuss their progress and welfare. Documents are well-maintained and essential information is accurately recorded and shared responsibly with parents to promote continuity of care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff plan a balance of activities and play opportunities that are effectively adapted to include children of different ages and abilities, meeting their needs on an individual basis. Staff generally show good skills in supporting and facilitating children’s learning, for example, through demonstrating a new skill to a child and through asking questions that challenge children to think and to solve their own problems. However, there are some times when children’s learning is not fully extended because staff ask closed questions. Children’s development is monitored through an effective system of observation and assessment. Staff use regular observations to evaluate children’s progress towards the early learning gaols and to plan for their individual next steps in learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are active learners and show curiosity, for example, when older children look for bugs in the garden and young children investigate the texture of corn flour and paint. Children count routinely during their play and use electronic toys with confidence. They participate in groups and learn to concentrate on their own, for example, a child becomes absorbed in looking at a book. Babies and young children enjoy each other’s company and older children develop friendships with each other, playing co-operatively in their imaginative games and sharing resources. Children chat freely and easily with each other and with staff. They enjoy a wide range of creative activities and have many opportunities to express This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 themselves, including practising their early writing skills with confident mark- making.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn to respect each other and to value each other’s differences. They behave well and learn to keep themselves safe, for example, by practising the evacuation procedure. Children learn about healthy living and are nourished through a balanced and nutritious diet of meals and snacks. Their physical development is promoted well through access to a wide range of suitable toys and activities and they enjoy their time playing outside in the fresh air each day. 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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