Torrisholme Kindergarten

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. Torrisholme Kindergarten Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY321556 Inspection date 06/04/2009 Inspector Sandra Elizabeth Williams

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Setting address New Hall Farm, 355 Lancaster Road, Torrisholme, Morcambe, LA4 6RL Telephone number 01524 414114 Email shelley@muckle53.freeserve.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).

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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

Torrisholme Kindergarten is one of two privately owned nurseries and has been registered since March 2006. It is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. It is located in the village of Torrisholme, Morecombe and operates from a purpose built, single storey building. Children are cared for in a large open plan room, which is divided into two areas, one for children under two years of age. The children have access to an enclosed outdoor play area.

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Description of the setting

The setting is open from 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, for 50 weeks of the year. It is registered to provide full day care for no more than 43 children in the early years age group at any one time. There are currently 102 children on roll, many of whom are in receipt of funding for early years education. The setting supports children with learning difficulties. There are currently no children attending who have English as an additional language, but there have been in the past.

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Description of the setting

There are 13 members of staff who work with the children. All of the staff, apart from two, hold appropriate early years qualifications. The owner and manager is a qualified teacher with Early Years Professional Status. The staff are currently working towards the Lancashire 'Step into Quality' Award.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children's welfare, learning and development are promoted well. Staff work very closely with parents, which is a particular strength of this setting. They also work closely with other settings that deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which ensures the children receive consistency and continuity of care and education. Inclusion is another strength of this provision, as staff ensure that all children are supported to fully participate in the activities provided. The manager and staff evaluate their practice and strive for continuous improvement. They have a good awareness of the strengths of the provision and the areas for further development.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the information gathered from observing children is used to assess their progress and to plan for the next steps in all children's individual learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Staff work well together to maintain staffing ratios. This enables children to move freely and to choose from the different activities provided indoors and out. Staff work hard to ensure the sessions run smoothly so children feel settled and confident in their routine. Staff are committed to continuous improvement as they attend relevant training and have a good understanding of what is being done well and the areas for further development. The manager and staff fully consider and evaluate their practice and have completed a self-evaluation process, which includes the views of parents and carers. All required documentation is in place and the policies and procedures are all up-to-date and well organised.

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provision

The partnership with parents is a particular strength of this setting. Staff work extremely hard to make sure parents feel included and are kept well informed about their children's progress and welfare. A prospectus has been produced for parents to inform them about the EYFS. This includes very useful information, including reference to policies and procedures. Parents are encouraged to take part in sessions, such as dance, and carol singing at Christmas time. Their views are always sought through discussions, questionnaires and suggestion boxes. Parents find the staff extremely approachable and informative. The staff also have strong links with other professionals and school staff who regularly visit the children at the nursery. This promotes continuity of care and education for the children.

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provision

Children are kept safe and secure due to the vigilance of the staff and the regular risk assessments undertaken. The children have daily access to the outdoor play area, where staff closely supervise them to ensure their safety at all times. Staff have a good understanding of the safeguarding children procedures and are clear about the action required to protect children should the need arise.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The staff have a good understanding of the EYFS. They plan and deliver an imaginative and exciting range of activities for the children that cover the six areas of learning. The children are able to select their own key workers who undertake observations of their achievements, which are recorded in children’s individual files. Staff are developing systems for using observations to plan for individual children's next steps in their learning; however, this has not yet been fully established for all children. The staff liaise closely with parents from the start by asking them to provide information about their children's routines, likes and dislikes. Thereafter, parents are encouraged to be involved in their children's learning by undertaking activities at home that link with those undertaken at the nursery. Inclusion is a strength of this nursery. All children, particularly those with additional needs, are very well supported to be able to join in the activities on

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

offer. Activities are adapted according to children's individual needs, so that everyone is valued and included.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The nursery is extremely welcoming and vibrant and is an exciting place for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children to learn through play. The environment is bright and colourful and full of interesting, stimulating equipment and resources that children can freely choose from. Their individual interests are known by the staff, who successfully support children in their play and extend their learning by asking them questions to make them think and help them problem solve. The children really enjoy the freedom of accessing the outdoor play area where they become engrossed in planting herbs. They work well as a team by taking turns in digging holes in the compost, deciding how big the hole needs to be, then carefully placing the plants in the holes and watering them. They use their senses, as they smell the herbs and notice the different shapes of their leaves. Children also enjoy practising their physical skills

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

as they climb and balance on the obstacle course and take part in regular dance and movement to music sessions.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have wonderful opportunities to learn about everyday technology as they take images of each other using the cameras and video cameras. They really enjoy looking at photos of themselves and their friends on the digital photo frames. The children also enjoy being creative as they design Easter chicks using different coloured and textured materials. Other children enjoy exploring shaving foam, making marks and talking about how it feels. They learn about different cultures as they take part in activities such as cooking, dressing up and as they take part in Spanish lessons each week. Children learn about healthy eating as they are provided with healthy choices. The nursery has been awarded the National Health Service 'Smile for Life' award, which is recognition of their nutrition policy. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the staff teach them about road safety when on outings. 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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