Windmill 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. Windmill Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY102777 Inspection date 29/04/2009 Inspector Katy Elizabeth Wynn

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Setting address The Regen Centre, Landing Lane, Riccall, YORK, YO19 6PW

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Telephone number 01757 249527 Email windmill.nursery@riccall.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 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

Windmill Nursery is owned by Riccall Regen 2000, which is a charity run organisation. It operates from within the Regen building in York, which is for community use providing sport, training facilities, and childcare for the local community and wider area. The children are cared for in two rooms, one for children under two and the other room is used for children over two years to five years. They also have use of an enclosed outdoor play area. The nursery is open each weekday from 08.00 to 18.00 for 51 weeks of the year.

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Description of the setting

The nursery is registered on the Early Years, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of 21 children may attend the nursery at any one time. There are currently 37 children on roll. The nursery supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Description of the setting

The nursery employs eight members of staff. The majority of the staff team hold a relevant early years qualification. The nursery 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. The needs of all children are met highly effectively as staff recognise the uniqueness of each child. All children are well supported, with an effective key person system in place. A good range of structured and informal play opportunities are provided to help children make good progress in their learning and development. Good partnerships are established with parents in order to ensure good quality care and to support a regular exchange of all relevant information. A self-evaluation procedure is in place and this supports staff in planning for improvement and reflecting on their practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 exploit the mathematical potential of the indoor environment by enabiling children to count, calculate through practical everyday situations and activities  continue to develop systems to observe and assess what children know now, achievements, interests and learning styles and use these to identify learning priorities.

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provision

The nursery is well led and managed, with a well organised staff team in place to ensure children receive effective care and learning. The manager and deputy manager are responsible for maintaining staff deployment and guiding staff to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 supervise and engage with the children and to positively support their development. The staff team are enthusiastic and the level of staff training is high, seven out of the total eight staff have level three childcare qualifications. The setting has an effective key person system that is well managed, with key workers meeting regularly to assess individual children's progress and make links with parents. The nursery has developed positive partnerships with parents. By using key persons and establishing regular daily links, effective and inclusive relationships are created with parents that effectively support individual children's

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provision

care and learning. Parents also receive a welcome pack, regular newsletters and are encouraged to complete feedback questionnaires. They are also encouraged to contribute to their child's learning by completing a diary that includes activities and interests that children have enjoyed at home, this then enables staff to extend the child's interests into the nursery environment. The staff team have worked together to complete a self evaluation document and have clearly identified strengths and areas of development within the setting. The recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed and have enhanced the care provided, for example, the outdoor area is now used on a free flow basis and children can confidently move from indoors to outdoors if they choose.

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provision

The nursery has a sound awareness of the need to safeguard children and support their welfare. Staff take time to get to know individual children so they feel welcome and included. Individual children's care needs are also consistently monitored, and staff have a high level of child protection awareness. The nursery also has a well organised range of policy guidance and procedures, to ensure children are kept secure and free from harm.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Adults are highly effective in supporting learning. They are enthusiastic about working with children and are fully committed to helping every child make good progress in their learning and development. A good balance of adult-led and child- led activities supports children in becoming active learners, with children free to choose the activities and resources which interest them. Good use is made of the outdoor environment, providing free-flow play, learning and exercise opportunities. The daily routine helps to ensure that children have their welfare needs met, for example, by having snack and a drink, children can independently access water throughout the day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Profiles for children are currently been developed to include detailed learning journeys and planning for individuals is very effective. Each child's key person makes good use of information from sensitive observations and assessments of what children can do in order to track their progress and provide learning opportunities which will support them in taking their next steps. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which help them to make good progress in all areas of learning. They have good opportunities to develop social skills as they chat together at meal times and talk to adults about significant events at home. Children learn to become independent as they manage their own hygiene routines and self register themselves on arrival. Children have good opportunities to use information technology, for example, they confidently use the computer, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

photo copier, laminator and telephone. They develop a great sense of achievement as they print out photographs on the computer and laminate them. Children have some opportunities to develop problem solving reasoning and numeracy through planned activities, however there are limited opportunities to count and calculate through practical everyday situations. For example, counting how many plates and cups are needed at lunch time or counting the number of children outside. Excellent opportunities are provided for children to learn about the world around them, for example, as they learn about the life cycle of a frog, grow grass, visit the local shops in the community to buy food. In addition staff provide innovative learning experiences, for example, visiting a local Bed and Breakfast to learn about what it is like to stay. Children are able to express themselves through art, music and movement, with daily opportunities to explore colour, texture, pattern and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's safety and welfare are very successfully promoted. Staff have a very good appreciation of their duty to put the needs of children first and have a good understanding of child protection procedures. Children learn how to keep themselves safe through activities such as fire evacuation practises and road-safety activities. Children's good health is very well promoted as staff follow simple and effective routines, for example when preparing food or changing nappies. Children learn to make healthy choices as they enjoy very healthy and nutritious snacks and meals which are freshly prepared on site. Good use is made of both indoor and outdoor space for children to exercise as well as to develop specific physical skills such as jumping and balancing. 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

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