Smile Day Nursery & Out of School Club

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. Smile Day Nursery & Out of School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY264983 Inspection date 09/06/2009 Inspector Sandra Elizabeth Williams

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Setting address High Biggins, Carnforth, Lancashire, LA6 2NP

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Telephone number 015242 73700 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

Smile Day Nursery and Out of School Club is a privately owned nursery which has been registered since December 2003. It is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. It is situated in the small hamlet of High Biggins, which is close to Kirkby Lonsdale. The nursery rooms consists of a baby room with a separate sleep room, and a playroom for children aged three to five years on the ground floor. On the first floor, there is a play room for children attending the out of school club. There is also a baby room and a play room for children aged from two to three years. There are sufficient toilets on both floors, a kitchen, ample storage space and a laundry. All children have access to an outdoor play area.

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Description of the setting

A maximum of 68 children may attend the nursery at any one time and there are currently 86 children attending, approximately 30 of whom receive funding for early years education. None of the children have English as an additional language. The nursery supports children with learning difficulties. The nursery opens five days a week all year round, apart from Christmas and Bank Holidays. Sessions are from 07.30 until 18.30. There are 11 members of staff who work with the children, all of whom have appropriate level 3 Early Years qualifications. One member of staff is working towards a level 3 qualification and another is working towards the Early Years Professional Status. The nursery is a member of the National Day Nursery Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The children's welfare is promoted very well, particularly their health, which is outstanding. Children are making very good progress in their learning and development, due to the support provided from the professional and conscientious staff. They work well as a team and 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. Staff work very closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are well met and that all children are included in the activities. 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.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out emergency evacuation drills more frequently so that children are familiar with the procedure  further develop children's knowledge and understanding of the world by enhancing the range of ICT equipment, and the multicultural images. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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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. The parents' notice boards are very informative, as are the regular newsletters. Parents are encouraged to take part in their children's learning as they are given ideas of activities to do with their children at home that link with the current themes in the nursery. This is an effective way of linking home to nursery and it enables the parents to see what the children have been learning at nursery. Parents complete regular questionnaires and many have commented on the excellent care provided by the brilliant staff. The staff are also developing strong links with other professionals, such as, speech therapists and staff at local schools, which promotes continuity of care and education for the children.

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provision

The nursery is very well led and managed, and the staff work very effectively as a team to ensure the children receive a high standard of care and education. Staff are well deployed to ensure that the correct child to staff ratios are adhered to at all times. This enables children to move freely and to choose from the different activities provided indoors and out. The children have daily access to the well equipped outdoor play area where staff closely supervise them to ensure their safety at all times. All required documentation is in place and the policies and procedures are up to date and well organised. 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 staff fully consider and evaluate their practice and have completed a self-evaluation process, which includes the views of parents and carers. Children are kept safe and secure

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provision

due to the vigilance of the staff and the regular risk assessments undertaken. Emergency evacuation drills take place, however, these are not frequent enough to ensure children are familiar with the drill. 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 nursery is a stimulating, friendly and safe place for children to learn and have fun. The staff have a very good understanding of the EYFS and they skilfully engage the children in activities that extend their learning. They carefully plan and deliver an imaginative and exciting range of activities for the children that cover the six areas of learning. The staff know the individual children very well and know their interests and favourite activities, which they use when planning for their individual learning and development. Staff use regular observations to plan for individual children's next steps in their learning. Activities are adapted according to children's individual needs, so that everyone is valued and included. The staff work well together to ensure that children are supported in their transition between rooms as they progress through the nursery.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have wonderful opportunities to learn about healthy living. They really This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enjoy the freedom of accessing the outdoor play area where they become engrossed in their play and enjoy the fresh air and exercise. They learn about living things as they enjoy planting and growing their own fruit and vegetables, such as carrots, beans, peas and apples. They know that the plants need water and sunlight in order to grow. Having being involved in growing the vegetables, the children enjoy eating them for their lunch and snacks. They also enjoy regular nature walks in the surrounding countryside as they visit the hens to collect their eggs. They delight in watching the pheasant that visits their play ground. They learn about good hygiene practices, as they wash their hands and brush their teeth at appropriate times. They enjoy physical exercise, particularly their movement to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

music sessions with Jo Jingles. They squeal with delight as they play their tambourines and practise their Greek dancing.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children develop their fine motor skills and creativity as they create their tie dye fabric. They scrunch up the fabric, tie string around it and marvel as they discover the different patterns they have created as they open up the fabric and proudly hang them up to display. Children of all ages develop their creativity through playing with musical instruments, singing songs, undertaking art activities and exploring treasure baskets. The babies and toddlers enjoy wonderful activities that encourage them to explore and learn through the wide variety of resources that stimulate their senses. The rooms are thoughtfully organised with homely touches, such as, soft rugs, tactile materials and foils, creating cosy and comfortable corners for children to feel secure and safe. The children enjoy exploring the contents of the treasure baskets, which contain a variety of objects and materials to interest them. They also enjoy painting and making footprints to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

decorate their Father's Day cards. They delight in playing with strawberry jelly and enjoy mark making with flour.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have opportunities to learn about everyday technology as they learn to operate programmable toys, such as remote control cars. They usually have access to a computer, however, it is not currently available as it is being repaired. They learn about different cultures as they sing songs and identify flags representing different countries. However, there are not many multicultural images in the nursery to reinforce their learning. The children are making good progress in their literacy skills as they are encouraged to recognise their names as they self register and as they look for their names at meal times. 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? 1 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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