Scotchman Middle School

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. Thomas Calton Creche Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 107420 Inspection date 02/03/2009 Inspector Alison Romanczuk

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Setting address Southwark Adult Education Service, Alpha Street, Peckham, SE15 4NX Telephone number 0207 358 2119 or 0207 525 2119 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

Thomas Carlton Crèche opened in 1992 and is run and managed by Southwark Council. It operates from two rooms of the Thomas Carlton adult learning centre in Peckham. The setting serves adult learners from the local community who are attending courses at the centre and full time places for working parents. The group is registered to care for no more than 26 children in the early years age group; of these, not more than 12 may be under two years old. They are registered on the Early Years Register, compulsory part of the Childcare Register and voluntary part of Childcare Register. There are currently 50 children in the early years age group on roll. Children attend sessions depending on time of course. The setting currently supports a significant number of children who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week during term time. Sessions are from 09:30 to 12:30 and 13:00 to 16:00. Some children attend both sessions. Seven full

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Description of the setting

time staff work with the children, six are full time. All staff have early years qualifications, five are qualified to NVQ level 3 and 2 are qualified to NVQ level 2.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of provision is good. Children, many of whom have English as an additional language, make steady progress in their learning and development. The group's strong policy for inclusion is supported by a clear partnership with parents and outside agencies involved in the children's care and learning. A particularly good level of self-evaluation underpinned by plans for training ensures the service maintains continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure information from observing the children is fully utilised to support children's achievments in relation to their starting points and capabilities  ensure the deployment of staff allows babies to have a consistent adult who supports their settling in and ongoing progress

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provision

The group provides a safe and caring environment for each child attending. The manager, who has a wealth of experience in childcare is committed to providing good quality provision. Managers at the group clearly monitor and evaluate the service they provide and maintain good links with other agencies involved in the children's care. They have clearly identified their strengths and areas for improvement and training is regularly accessed within the local authority. This has resulted in a well trained staff team who work well together overall in supporting children's ongoing progress and care. Staff's effective relationships and working practices with parents, both formally and informally each day, ensures children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 receive consistent care and that transition from home to crèche is a smooth process.

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provision

Staff provide an open and inclusive environment with particular strengths in the diversity of resources and the staff team, which reflect the linguistic and cultural backgrounds of the children and their parents using the service. Learning and development receives good support with staff on hand to encourage children's communication, growing curiosity and independence skills. Staff have received training in the Early Years Foundation Stage and observations of the children at play give them a good understanding of the children's individual capabilities. Information gained, however, is not always fully utilised in plans for individual children and this results in some missed opportunities when questioning the children in play.

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provision

Children are safe at the group because staff are trained in first aid, are aware of dangers and suitably assess the environment to minimise hazards. All staff have a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures and what to do if they are concerned about a child in their care. Policies and procedures together with documentation in place clearly support children's welfare and information is regularly shared with the children's parents. Children's good health is given priority and they learn skills such as washing their hands before snack and lunch time. Because all staff are trained in food hygiene the children are able to enjoy a well balanced diet in a clean and well managed environment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make steady progress overall in the six areas and benefit from the variety of resources and activities available. Behaviour is well managed and children are learning important social skills, often interacting with others who have English as an additional language, for example. The children get to know the staff and their expectations quickly so that, for example, at snack time the children bring themselves to the table, singing familiar number and action songs as they take turns to hand out the plates. The space is well organised so that children move around freely and the babies have a secure area away from the main play area to ensure their safety. Children benefit from having a key person who oversees their settling in and progress in learning but there are less secure attachments for new babies, which impacts on the time they spend forming important relationships with a secure adult.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Despite this, children enjoy what they are doing and achieve well overall in relation to their starting points. They show curiosity and make decisions about what activities they will join and enjoy time both in the open plan area and the garden where they are able to develop confidence in coordination and physical skills. Children problem solve, show increasing skill when completing inset puzzles and building towers with large blocks. They demonstrate increasing creativity as they explore musical instruments, feel the texture of play dough and eagerly experiment at the sand and water trays where they learn concepts such as filling and emptying. Children's growing awareness of number operations is supported through number rhymes such as 'Five little Monkeys' and displays around the room This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 familiarise them with alphabet letters and number lines. Their growing literacy is

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

supported through drawing and craft activities and the children readily help themselves to their favourite books in the book car. Children's knowledge and understanding of the world is well supported in this multi-cultural environment and they benefit from the variety of staff experience and background. Mealtimes are well used to introduce the children to different religions and foods, for example. Resources including books and role play equipment reflect a range of backgrounds and a positive approach to disability is evident, giving strength to the group's equal opportunities aims. 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? 3 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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