Little Green Hut 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. Little Green Hut Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY386625 Inspection date 29/06/2009 Inspector June Fielden

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Setting address Tadworth Village Hall, Dorking Road, TADWORTH, Surrey, KT20 5SA Telephone number 01737816231 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 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

The Little Green Hut Nursery is privately owned. It opened in 2009 and operates from Tadworth Village Hall. Children have access to a secure outdoor play area. The nursery is situated in a residential area in Tadworth, Surrey. It is open each weekday from 09.00 to 12.15 and until 14.50 on Monday and Tuesday. There is also a lunch club on Friday, when it is open until 13.00. The nursery operates during school term time.

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Description of the setting

The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register. A maximum of 26 children may attend the nursery at any one time. There are currently 39 children from two years to the end of the early years age range on roll.

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Description of the setting

There are four staff, including the manager working with the children. They all hold appropriate early years qualifications to at least NVQ at level 3. The nursery provides funded early education for three and four-year-olds.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Staff create a warm and friendly atmosphere for children. They successfully promote their learning and welfare, and ensure that children's individual needs are well met. There is an effective partnership with parents and staff make every effort to liaise with others involved in children's care. They strive to enhance the experiences they provide for children and to ensure that they make the most of the time they spend at the nursery. Staff are aware of their strengths and 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 locks on the toilet doors and the arrangements for changing young children are included in the risk assessment  continue to develop the system for planning

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provision

Children benefit from being cared for by well qualified and experienced staff who are provided with effective opportunities to keep their knowledge up to date. All the required records are in place, and stored securely to maintain confidentiality. There is an efficient recruitment procedure and appropriate contingency arrangements to provide cover for absent staff. The nursery promotes diversity by celebrating festivals such as Chinese New Year with the children, and they have effective resources such as puzzles, books and multi-cultural dolls for them to use. Staff have a good knowledge of how to promote outcomes for children with learning difficulties and disabilities, and those with English as an additional This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 language. They understand the need to seek advice and support from other professionals involved in children's care. Staff identify their strong points as the

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provision

measures they take to ensure children's good health and safety, and the way in which they create a relaxed and pleasant environment for them. Also their use of learning journeys to show children's progress. Since registration staff have made several changes to the setting which have had a positive impact on children's learning. These include placing equipment on low level trolleys to allow children greater opportunities to self-select, and by making toys which they have shown interest in available to them for longer periods of time.

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provision

Parents are enthusiastic about the setting and the care provided for their children. They believe that their children are happy at the nursery, and that they are kept well informed about what they have been doing. Parents are also involved in special events at the setting. For example, they produced a banner for the May Pageant and recently accompanied children on a farm visit. Parents are invited to bring in their pets to show to children and share their experiences about their jobs with them. The planning is available for parents to see, enabling them to follow up on the activities with their child at home. Parents are further invited to contribute to their child's learning by providing objects or photographs linked to the topics they are studying each week. The group's policies and procedures are accessible to parents and they can see their child's records on request. Parents also have their own notice board where relevant information is displayed for them. Staff seek

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provision

feedback on the nursery from current parents and hold open sessions for prospective parents. The group is aware of the benefits of maintaining a relationship with staff at other settings children attend. Staff have a good understanding of how to protect children from harm and the procedure to follow should they have any concerns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are offered a good balance of adult led and child initiated activities that cover all areas of learning. The nursery has recently changed the way in which it plans for children. Although the current system is not yet fully established, it means that the group are now able to identify children's next steps in learning from their observations and feed these directly into the planning. Staff keep a learning journey folder for each child. These contain regular observations of children, photographs and samples of their work, which are dated and annotated. For example, this evidence shows how one child's cutting skills are developing, and includes notes on whether a child is right or left handed. Children enjoy engaging in activities such as planting sunflower seeds in the outdoor area, while staff talk to them about what the plants need to make them grow. Staff provide them with child size watering cans to make the task more interesting. One of the children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

that was pretending to use a paint brush and pot of water to paint the walls of the building informed a member of staff that they were doing this to cool down the outside of the hut, as it was a hot day. Children practise counting during everyday activities, such as when they play games with staff, or as they line up to go outside. They use the well equipped role play area and dressing up clothes to develop their imaginations. Staff provide children with small equipment such as scissors and hole punches to enable them to use their creative skills. Paper and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 pencils are always accessible to children to encourage them to develop their mark making.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are reminded to put their hats on before they play outside if it is sunny, to raise their awareness of how to keep themselves healthy. When it is hot staff also ensure that parents put sun cream on their children before they leave them in the morning. In the outdoor area staff use sunshades and make canopies to protect children from the heat. Children all sit down together to eat, making this a sociable occasion for them. They are provided with healthy options, such as fruit and strawberries at snack time, and a jug of water is always available for them to help themselves to a drink, to ensure they are not thirsty. Staff display children's colourful work on boards around the hall, making it appear welcoming to both children and parents. Staff are very conscientious with regard to children's safety, and ensure that the main entrances to the setting are always locked when they are present, and that they are unable to enter the kitchen area. There are covers on

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the heaters to prevent children from burning themselves, and the groups evacuation procedure is practised regularly. Although currently the locks on the toilet doors are accessible to children and the table which the younger ones' nappies are changed on does not have raised sides to prevent them sliding off should they move around. There is a broad selection of toys and equipment available to children, including child size settees for them to relax on. Staff use effective strategies based on children's age and understanding in order to manage inappropriate behaviour. They promote good behaviour by rewarding children with praise and stickers. Children have access to a laptop computer to develop their skills in information technology. The setting also keeps caterpillars to enable children to develop their curiosity by watching them change into butterflies, which they then release. 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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