Play Centre 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. Play Centre Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY296574 Inspection date 04/02/2009 Inspector Kerry Iden

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Setting address Wickbourne Centre, Clun Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 7DZ Telephone number 01903 736637 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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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

Play Centre Nursery opened in 2005. It operates from within the Wickbourne Centre in Littlehampton. The nursery has an open plan arrangement split into different areas for different age groups with an adjoining baby room in a purpose built building. The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of 60 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08:00 to 18:00 for 51 weeks a year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 97 children, in the Early Years age group, aged from six months to under five years on roll. Of these 40 children are in receipt of funding for nursery education. Children come from the local area. The nursery supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

The nursery employs 19 staff of whom 15 including the managers, hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery receives support from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The nursery soundly meets the needs of children in their care. Staff know the children well and provide suitable activities and play experiences to encourage children's development. The management team are good at objectively assessing the needs of the nursery and the development of the staff. This with the action plans each of the team leaders prepare, ensures the nursery are making some continuous improvements. With the help from specialist agencies and the desire from staff to care for children individually the nursery ensures they offer an inclusive service to all.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure all areas of the garden are thoroughly risk assessed each day due to ever changing weather conditions  ensure children can rest or sleep in an area that is free from hazard and disturbances

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure within the safeguarding policy there is a procedure to be followed should an allegation be made against a member of staff 28/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The nursery is managed well by the two joint managers with the support of the provider. The team leaders represent all staff and children in each of the areas making up a strong management team. The strengths and weaknesses of the nursery are objectively assessed by the management team ensuring an effective self-evaluation is in place. Management show trust in their team leaders to manage their own areas, this with regular meetings, discussions and more formally, appraisals, staff progress in their own development.

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provision

Children are well protected because staff have an in-depth knowledge of child protection issues, recognise their role and responsibilities and know how to implement nursery and local safeguarding procedures. The recording of all staff, children and visitors to and from the nursery and the safe collection of children and arrangements for recording pre-existing injuries contribute to ensuring children are safeguarded from harm. A detailed policy is in place which informs parents of the setting's responsibilities to the protection of children. Although the management team could verbal relay the procedures they would follow in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff it wasn't included within their policy.

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provision

The nursery provides a good level of written information for parents such as prospectuses, copies of policies and regular newsletters. Staff ensure they speak to each parent as they drop off and collect their children by supervising the reception area at these times. Children’s key workers are always happy to make themselves available for discussion. Contact between the staff in the baby room and parents is good, with the arrangement of the daily diaries to inform parents of care information such as feeding and sleeping as well as information about activities they have been involved in. Parents are encouraged to make comments in the diaries for a two-way flow of information.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are learning and developing in an environment that is relaxed and well organised. The free flow arrangement between the different areas as well as the outside area allows children to build relationships with other children and staff in different groups. The arrangement of good quality play equipment in all areas of the nursery allows children the independence in choosing their play while staff ensure they are developing in all six areas of learning. Although the arrangements in place in the sleeping area do not allow for a restful environment. Children can safely move around the nursery in an environment that is completely secure. Regular risk assessments are completed by staff and daily checklists are in place for the children's safety. However, additional risk assessments are not completed where there is a change such as the icy hazards following some snowy weather. The atmosphere within the nursery is very calm, there is lots of laughter from staff

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and children as they join in games together, any incidences of unwanted behaviour are controlled well by staff who speak to the children at an appropriate level, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encouraging and rewarding good behaviour.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Throughout the day the majority of activities are child led and based on their likes, for example, many children's love of pirates turned the indoor climbing area into a pirate ship for their imaginative play. This was developed further as children made telescopes, eye patches and drew pirate treasure maps finishing with a large group treasure hunt organised by the staff. Whilst in the baby area sensory play is a real strength, babies have lots of opportunities to feel many textures, for example, as they sit in cooked spaghetti and baked beans and squelch it between their toes. Children show good levels of independence through normal daily routines such as getting their coats on to prepare for outside play and washing hands before meal times.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from a rare opportunity of an on-site chef within the nursery, all meals are prepared on site and are freshly cooked every day. A hot meal is served to all the children at lunchtime with dietary requirements and feeding abilities considered. Good table manners and appropriate use of cutlery are promoted to the children giving them skills for the future. Breakfasts, teas and snacks are also provided by the nursery and the menu offers children a balance of healthy wholesome food.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff are skilled at using the children’s likes and preferred activities when planning for the children. Staff plan on a weekly basis to which all staff contribute their ideas which is based on the observations they have made on the children the week prior, therefore, the planning is individual to children and to the key groups. Individual plans are in place in each of the children’s records, parents can be involved in these as staff members identify home learning opportunities and next steps in children's development. All children are placed into different colour groups and assigned key workers. Although all staff complete observations of the children, the key worker maintains the observation and assessment records of the children in their group. 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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