Little Starz Day 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 Starz Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY386891 Inspection date 12/05/2009 Inspector Timothy Butcher

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Setting address 89 Ebdon Road, Worle, Weston Super Mare, Avon, BS22 6US Telephone number 07531439465 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).

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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

Little Starz Day Nursery opened in 2009. It operates from converted commercial premises in Worle, Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset. Children have use of three playrooms, hallway, sleep room and outside area. The nursery operates on the ground floor only and there is level access to the nursery. A maximum of 36 children under eight years may attend at any one time, of these 36 may be with in the early years age group, of these 20 may be under three and of these 12 may be under two years at any one time. The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register. The nursery is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The group opens five days a week all year round, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 08.00 until 18.00 each day. Children attend from the local area and may attend for a variety of sessions. The setting receives support from the local authority. The setting employs eight staff, seven of whom

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Description of the setting

work directly with children of whom four hold a level three qualification in childcare. There are two staff members who are undertaking Early Years childcare training.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time at the setting and benefit from the warm interactions with the staff. Children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development and the setting has introduced new systems of planning and recording within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to further support children's progress. Staff are becoming increasingly familiar with the new system. Effective links with parents and carers promotes inclusion and ensures information is usefully shared with particular regard to children's needs and interests. There is a clear commitment to continuous improvement as demonstrated through the refinements in practice made in the relatively short time since the setting opened.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop further the use of observation and assessment to more closely identify learning priorities and to plan relevant learning experiences for each child  continue to develop further freely chosen or child-initiated outdoor activities to provide a broad and balanced curriculum based on the observed interests of children and on the identified next steps in their development and learning continue to develop systems to incorporate parents comments into children’s individual records and to involve them with their child’s learning; and to share information about their child's progress with them on a regular basis. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The health and safety of children is suitably promoted because the setting gives due regard to the general welfare requirements of the EYFS. There are no breaches of welfare requirements. Written policies and procedures are in place that support the smooth running of the provision and support inclusive practices. A written risk assessment is in place and there are secure systems to identify potential risks to children. Potential risks are managed suitably well through daily checks. All staff have at least a basic but clear understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities.

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provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are well established. Initial processes effectively support parents to share information about their child through 'All about me' documentation when the child first attends. This is a useful element in the identification of children's starting points. Parents and carers have sufficient opportunities to learn about the progress that their children make through informal discussion. Parents' evenings are planned for the future as this information is currently not comprehensively shared. Day to day information about care and health issues are routinely shared and as a result children's individual needs suitably met. Parent's views are valued and these have been sought through a questionnaire. Parents report positively on the care arrangements and most aspects of the provision.

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provision

The setting does not as yet have a systematic self-evaluation process but is successful in securing improvements to the provision such as, the advice it has sought from the local authority and the changes the setting has made.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The nursery provides a suitable range of activities and play opportunities for children which meet their general developmental needs. Children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development given their starting points. Staff have a suitable understanding of the EYFS and are beginning to familiarise themselves with the new systems of planning and recording. Some accurate observations have begun to be made for each child across each of the areas of learning. These contribute to the identification of some of children's next steps in development. The information about a child's learning priorities is displayed but is not sufficiently disseminated so that all staff in the room are able to provide good support. Learning Profiles are somewhat incomplete and so this information is less effectively used in the planning process; and is not yet made available to parents. As a result children's learning is not always maximised and parents are not best

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

informed about their child's progress, although some information is usefully shown through wall displays.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Overall a suitable balance between child-initiated and adult-led activities is achieved. Children exercise choice particularly through free-flow activities and as a result they follow their interests and gain in independence and confidence. A satisfactorily organised learning environment in each of the rooms is set out to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 provide easy access to most equipment and materials. Children play outside regularly each day, get fresh air and are encouraged to develop their physical skills. They enthusiastically use sit-on equipment, the climbing frame and the slides. The planning of the use of the outside area is weak and as a result children do not always have enhanced opportunities for play across each of the other areas of learning. Children settle well because staff are attentive and provide lots of cuddles and close contact. They clearly benefit from the warm and friendly

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

approach from adults and respond well to them. At circle time they learn to keep a beat and follow movements with a nursery rhyme. They extend their language and vocabulary and gain in confidence as they are sensitively encouraged to speak in the group. They develop an understanding of the world around them as they discuss the weather and explore with curiosity the consistency of the play dough that they have made.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have their health and safety suitably promoted because the whole environment is maintained to a satisfactory standard of hygiene and safety. Children learn about healthy eating and gain in self-care skills. They are offered a suitable range of freshly made meals. Children routinely follow and learn sensible personal hygiene procedures. Staff ensure those in nappies remain content during the nappy changing procedure as it is made fun. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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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