Safe 'n' Sound 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. Safe 'n' Sound Nursery & Kindergarten Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY272107 Inspection date 17/06/2009 Inspector Christine Snowdon

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Setting address Featherstone Lane, Featherstone, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF7 6LS Telephone number 01977 600 945 Email autoprocessltd@tesco.net 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 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

Safe and Sound Nursery and Kindergarten is privately owned and funded. It opened in January 2004 and operates from a single storey building standing in its own grounds. It is situated in Featherstone, near Pontefract. The nursery is open all year round, excluding bank holidays and one week at Christmas. Opening hours are Monday to Friday between the hours of 07.30 to 18.00.

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Description of the setting

The nursery is registered to provide full day care for up to 57 children and is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently 96 children on-roll. Children who attend are primarily from the local community and surrounding areas. The out of school provision covers five local schools.

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Description of the setting

The staff team is highly qualified with all 13 members of staff holding relevant or higher levels of childcare qualifications. Of those the manager holds a level 4 and the deputy is currently studying for her degree in Early Childhood Studies. In addition a cook and cleaners are employed on site. The nursery receives regular support from the Local Authority and is affiliated to the National Day Nursery Association. The setting has completed the national day nurseries 'Quality Counts' quality assurance scheme.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an exceptionally well organised and inclusive environment, where utmost attention is given to meet children's individual needs. This ensures that the setting promotes all aspects of children's learning and welfare with immense success and recognises and values their uniqueness. The highly effective management and staff team is a clear strength of the setting and they are constantly evaluating all areas of their provision to ensure continual improvement and high standards. The wonderfully resourced and stimulating environment is highly effective in promoting outcomes for children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 further improve the current registration arrangements so that all systems are compatible and accurate.

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provision

The owner/manager together with her deputy provide strong motivational leadership to the staff team. They are very much 'hands on' and work effectively This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 alongside the staff to support and complement their practice. The whole staff team is highly qualified, skilled and enthusiastic in their approach. They demonstrate their utmost dedication to ensuring that the care and learning they provide for the children is of the highest quality. The staff team is very stable, the annual appraisals and regular team meetings help staff to identify and plan in advance for any additional training needs. Managers and staff are highly motivated and continually strive to improve their already outstanding provision through the settings own action plan. For example, the recently acquired piece of land is to be turned into a wild meadow area to attract wild flowers and insects. They have

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provision

completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form in great detail and it is an accurate reflection of the settings clear strengths.

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provision

All required policies and procedures are in place for the efficient management of the nursery. These are comprehensive and detailed, regularly reviewed, consistently implemented by staff and shared with parents. Detailed risk assessments are undertaken on the premises and for all visits and outings. The building and outdoor areas are very secure to ensure that no unauthorised person gains access to the premises. Children are further safeguarded as a result of the staff's excellent up to-date knowledge of child protection procedures, this is fully supported by training and a comprehensive policy. There are exceptional high levels of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the nursery and all staff follow the rigorous and effective procedures. This has been acknowledged by the 'five star award' they have received from their local environmental health department.

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provision

There are excellent systems in place which encourage and involve parents and carers into the nursery. For example, they have recently establish a parent's forum and have already had a very successful meeting. Grandparents have brought in plants and have assisted the children in cultivating and planting them in the outdoor garden. Comprehensive information is provided and shared with parents, ensuring they are fully informed about the provision. Staff work effectively with parents and other professionals to ensure a cohesive and effective approach ensures children's individual needs are identified and met with utmost success. Parents spoken to at the inspection visit all expressed extremely positive comments about the care their children receive and the progress they make.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children in the nursery are very happy, settled and confident. They are highly motivated and eager to learn due to the highly stimulating and child-orientated environment, which is rich in signs, symbols, letters, numbers and pictures. Children benefit greatly from the wonderfully resourced, well organised areas both indoors and outside. The exceptionally wide range of top quality, age appropriate toys and equipment are easily and safely accessible to all children. As a result, children make independent choices and develop and extend their own interests and ideas. Committed staff use their skill and expertise as they interact with the children, encouraging children's thinking and learning in the supportive and challenging environment. A clear strength of the nursery is the wonderful opportunities for free-flow outdoor play for all children. For example, very young children independently crawl down the slope and out into their own garden area.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The under two's room is truly a homely and welcoming environment. Babies and young children have a genuine bond and close relationship with the staff. For example, they often snuggle up on the staff's knee and enjoy being cuddled off to sleep. They chuckle and giggle with excitement as the staff play peek-a-boo and develop their early walking skills as they walk around holding onto the various items of equipment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop excellent communication skills through the well planned small group sessions. At circle time children talk confidently about events at home and respond eagerly to the staffs questions and general discussions. Staff promote children's phonic understanding through fun and meaningful activities. They listen to the music tape, and sing along to the nursery rhyme that links the phonic sound to the letter. Today's letter P is sounded out and staff hold up several items beginning with the same letter and children say ' P for pig, pizza, paper, postman pat, and pretzel'. They recognise their own name card and use it as part of the registration system, although this does not always correspond with the main staff register. They have extensive and innovative opportunities to make marks in all areas of the setting. For example, they draw with their fingers in the sand and use the different rollers and instruments in the light box. Children have a good

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

understanding of mathematical concepts. They count confidently, recognise shapes and weigh and measure ingredients when baking. They demonstrate a sound understanding of positional language. For example, they swish their streamers forward and backwards and up an down following instructions from staff. Children learn about the wider world, diversity and cultures other than their own. They say hello and goodbye in various languages and have trips out and about in the local community. This includes regular visits to the library and to the supermarket to buy fresh fruit for the nursery. Children develop their understanding of nature and how things grow. The raised beds effectively promotes inclusion enabling all children to join in with planting and nurturing of the plants in the garden.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children independently follow the excellent hygiene routines, washing their hands before eating and after attending to personal care needs. They have a clear understanding of why this is important, saying they need to 'wash the germs away'. They benefit from the very healthy, nutritious and wholesome meals and snacks, which are all freshly prepared and cooked on site. Great care and effective procedures ensure children's individual dietary needs are fully met and provided for. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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

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