Cygnets Day 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. Cygnets Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY272736 Inspection date 19/03/2009 Inspector Hazel Farrant

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Setting address Hartwood House, High Street, Bordon, Hampshire, GU35 0AU Telephone number 01420 487000 Email cygnets@btconnect.com 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

Cygnets Day Nursery opened in 2004. It operates from a purpose built provision situated in the grounds of The Church of the Sacred Heart in Bordon, Hampshire. The nursery consists of five play rooms, with kitchen and laundry facilities on site. There is easy access to the secure premises and outside play areas are available. There are 17 staff who work with the children and most staff hold a relevant childcare qualification. The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register and cares for a maximum of 51 children. Children are accepted from the age of three months old. Currently there are 65 children on roll, of which 28 receive education funding. The setting supports children who speak English as an additional language and children with learning difficulties and disabilities. The group opens Monday to Friday all year round from 08.00 to 18.00. The group 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's care and learning is given high priority because all staff have a good knowledge and understanding of how to meet individual needs. All children are effectively included in all aspects of the provision because the staff recognise their uniqueness. Links with other care settings and professionals ensure that care is consistent. The provision is committed to promoting children’s welfare and learning development to a high standard.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure staff consistently follow good hygiene procedures which includes storing toothbrushes effectively to promote good health within the nursery  ensure the complaints procedure reflects the correct Ofsted contact address  further promote children's learning experiences by promoting a free-flow environment.

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provision

The nursery is effectively managed to ensure that outcomes for children are promoted well. The environment is effectively organised to give all of the children access to a good range of activities and play experiences. All children have regular access to the well resourced outside play area. However, the nursery has not fully implemented a free-flow environment to allow children to decide their preferred learning style. The staff are deployed around the nursery to ensure that ratios are maintained throughout the day. Staff understand the importance of establishing and maintaining good relationships from the start. The group have started to use the Ofsted self-evaluation form to reflect on their practices and have identified This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their strengths and areas to improve upon. These include further developing the outside play area with decking and a canopy. The nursery has also successfully

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provision

completed a quality assurance scheme, ‘Quality Counts’ which is accredited by the National Day Nursery Association. The excellent relationships with parents and carers promote consistency of care for the children.

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provision

Parents receive daily feedback from their child’s key person and regular information via the notice board, daily contact books and newsletters. The key worker system in place throughout the provision works well and ensures that children receive consistent and appropriate care from staff who know them as individuals. Parents say they are very happy with the nursery staff who are ‘just brilliant’ and ‘it is an extended family atmosphere’. Good links have already been forged with a variety of others to ensure good quality provision for all children with additional needs. There are comprehensive risk assessments relating to all aspects of the provision, which have been reviewed to ensure they continue to be relevant to the setting. All the required policies and procedures for the safe management of children are in place, although the complaints procedure requires updating with the correct contact address. Robust recruitment procedures ensure staff caring for

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provision

children are suitable to do so and all staff have attended appropriate child protection and safeguarding training, including paediatric first aid.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s learning and development is promoted well in this warm and welcoming, inclusive environment. The individual needs of every child and their progress through all six areas of learning and development is of great importance to the staff. Children have many opportunities to give their views and opinions. A useful and valuable system is in place to gain knowledge about the children before attending the nursery, which includes what their interests, likes and dislikes are. This information, plus their own views, are then used for possible lines of development to actively engage children in their own learning. Children are beginning to develop early literacy skills through listening to the many stories that are read and opportunities for mark making. All children participate eagerly and enjoy the wide range of both adult and child initiated activities. Toddlers have fun playing with shaving foam which they squeeze between their fingers. Babies

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

explore the wide range of activities which include treasure baskets and cause and effect resources. Children play in the home corner where they role play the story of the ‘three little pigs’ which is currently supporting the current theme of textiles and materials. They plant flowers in pots and make their own cards to celebrate Mother’s Day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Records show the development of children clearly. Each child’s next steps are identified which ensures they are progressing very well. Good provision is made to ensure children are aware of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Children enjoy freshly prepared healthy meals that cater for children’s individual dietary needs. Drinking water is always available for children to access whenever they want. Mealtimes are social occasions where children sit together to eat; they have opportunities to eat outside during fine weather. Hygiene throughout the nursery is generally good. However, not all staff consistently promote infection control when This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 helping children to wipe their noses. Also the current method of storing children’s toothbrushes does not fully promote good hygiene. Behaviour is good and children’s feelings of self-confidence are reinforced through plenty of praise and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

encouragement. Staff are friendly and caring, joining in with children's play to extend and promote their skills. Children learn to take turns and to share because staff set good role models which are consistent across the nursery. Children's safety is promoted and maintained because of thorough procedures that are consistently applied. 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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