Buckets & Spades 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. Buckets and Spades Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY283140 Inspection date 23/03/2009 Inspector Christine Tipple

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Setting address 37-39 Victoria Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1SQ Telephone number 01723 378 407 Email manager@bucketsandspades.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). This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Buckets and Spades Day Nursery has been registered since 2004 and is privately owned. The nursery is situated in Scarborough town centre. It serves mainly the immediate area but is also used by families living out of town who commute to work. The children are cared for on two floors of converted shop premises, there is an enclosed outdoor play area available at the rear of the premises. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 07.30 which offers a breakfast club, to 17.45 throughout the year.

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Description of the setting

The Nursery is registered on the Early Years Register. A maximum of 64 children may attend the nursery at any one time. There are currently 129 children aged from birth to under five years on roll. The nursery is in receipt of free early education funding to children aged three and four. The nursery support children who speak English as an additional language and with physical disabilities.

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Description of the setting

The four joint owners employ 17 staff members to work with the children. Of these 16 have relevant qualifications from level 2 to 6 including two staff who have Qualified Teacher Status and Early Years Professional Status. Currently two staff are extending their qualifications. There are additional support staff, a cook and a cleaner.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children's welfare and safety is managed very effectively by a committed and consistent staff team. Overall, the learning environment fully supports children's progress through the six areas of learning. There is a positive emphasis on meeting individual children's needs through the effective key person system in place. The management and staff team have a positive and committed approach to evaluating their practice. This enables the nursery to clearly identify the areas to develop and improve and to further extend their strengths.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop consistency in the recording of individual children's observations and assessments, to ensure children's next steps are more cleary identified  review the layout of the one to two year old area; to enable more self selection and choices for the children which extends their exploration and growing independence. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children benefit from a consistent and stable staff team who have worked together for some time. Staff are effectively supported in all areas including their professional development. This is through the regular training opportunities offered and access to higher qualifications which all link into the staff's self appraisal. This provides a committed and motivated staff which positively impacts of the good quality of care and learning provided for the children. The well informed and detailed polices and procedures reflect the nursery's practice, and the importance given to safeguard the children and promote their health and safety. All documentation is well maintained and reviewed regularly to ensure these remain up to date, this promotes a very organised and efficient management. Full and detailed risk assessments promote a high level of awareness to children's ongoing safety at the nursery, all staff have a responsibility to ensure these are monitored.

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provision

The nursery have clear and detailed recruitment and induction procedures to ensure staff caring for the children are suitable to do so.

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provision

The relationship with the nursery and parents is excellent. The highly effective key person system provides parents and their children with a consistent contact and staff who know them very well. This enables children to develop their self assurance and have a positive sense of belonging. Information for parents is highly comprehensive and provides informed details on the care and learning provided. The use of daily diary sheets and access to their children's learning files are well received by parents. The notice boards, regular newsletters and opportunities to attend regular parent sessions to discuss their child's progress and development ensure they are actively involved. There are social fund raising events for local charities, organised by the nursery, which are well attended by parents. Questionnaires are carried out on a regular basis. The response from these are very positive and forms part of the nursery's self-evaluation to identify areas to

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provision

build on and improve. The feedback from parents highly praises the staff and the benefits their children receive and the positive sharing of information. This includes their children's access to a wide range of very good activities and learning experiences which support their progress. The nursery have established links with schools to ensure children's transitions are managed effectively by involving children and their parents and school staff. Additional training is sought for children with additional needs, such as medical, to ensure access and inclusion is fully promoted by the nursery.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are made very welcome by the staff which is supported with a secure and enabling learning environment. This has a positive impact on the children who are motivated, interested and keen to access the good range of varied resources and activities provided day to day. Children are able to make decisions and choices in their play and this is monitored by staff who support their interests and developing needs. The babies and toddlers enjoy tactile resources and staff promote the children's five senses through their play. Good use is made of creative play, the children have access to various mediums, use of colours, and they enjoy the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 contents of the treasure baskets filled with natural everyday items. However, the area for the one to two year olds does not fully promote children's access and self selection to resources to extend their exploration and further develop their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

independence. The younger children receive high levels of individual attention from staff who respond in a calm and caring way to support their various needs and personal care. Behaviour is managed very well through staff maintaining close relationships with the children. They respond appropriately and sensitively to them through providing positive role models and by example, to be kind, share and take turns. This results in a calm environment where the children are happily engaged in good purposeful play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children enjoy a range of healthy meals and snacks provided by the nursery. The menus are changed over a four week period and promote the 'five a day' fruit and vegetable programme. The food is prepared and cooked on site by the cook and mostly made from fresh produce, the children enjoy their meals. The access to the outside is ongoing through the day and in most weathers which promotes children's varied physical skills and regular exercise. Children use a range of larger equipment and all wear their safety helmet when on the bikes. The children have resources to develop their skills to manoeuvre around obstacles, balance and climb. The younger children use the outside and this is currently timetabled with the older children, but all have regular fresh air and access to relevant equipment. Clear procedures are in place to minimise cross infection and parents collect their children when they become ill. Visits in the community to the local shop, library

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and beach provide them with information about where they live. Resources and activities through the year offer children an insight into the wider world and to take part in celebrations about their own and other cultures. Safety is managed to a consistently high level and children learn about being safe through activities and being on outings through learning about appropriate places to cross the road.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy the balance and selection of play and learning choices they have, staff ensure they are informed about their varied interests and learning opportunities. The children were very interested in animals which resulted in setting up a jungle role play area. This was supported throughout with pictures, books and small world resources. Children communicate well with each other and their peers, staff interact positively with the children to engage them, promote their language skills and be confident to express themselves. Children are encouraged to take responsibility, such as tidy up time, to self manage some activities where numbers are more limited for safety purposes. Time is given by staff for the children to develop their play and extend opportunities for themselves. The quiet area for the older children provides a place for them to talk, read and look at books together, this is well used and enjoyed. The use of numbers and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

problem solving are part of children's everyday play. Additional activities to extend and support children are balanced with an adult led approach, these more direct observations of the children provide further details to inform their next steps to progress. However, these observations and assessments are not always consistently applied across the nursery to ensure these steps are more clearly identified.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Role play and creative activities are thoroughly enjoyed by the children who are actively engaged and use their imagination very well. This is highly effective in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 supporting their ability to express themselves with confidence. Books and story time are enhanced with props and puppets which involve the children and to enable them to contribute. Children have experiences to explore and grow seeds and plants. There are a range of building and construction resources for all ages to support children to design and build with. The children all have individual files which provide a range of information, observations and photographs of their activities and the learning taking place. All are accessible to parents who are able to contribute and share in their children's play and learning experiences. 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 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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