The Radclyffe School

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. Tadpoles Nursery School Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 105738 Inspection date 16/06/2009 Inspector John Anthony

p.1

Setting address Park Walk Play Centre, Park Walk, London, SW10 0AY

p.1

Telephone number 0207 3529757 daytime Email mrs_tadpole2000@hotmail.com Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the setting

Tadpoles Nursery School registered in 1993. The nursery is based in a school building in Chelsea. It operates from a hall and three rooms. All children share access to an enclosed outdoor play area. A maximum of 58 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday during school term times. It is open Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 15:00 and on Friday from 09:30 to 12:30. Children attend for a variety of sessions. There are currently 85 children from two years old to under five years old on roll. Of these 53 receive funding for nursery education. The nursery currently supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. There are 13 staff members who work with the children. All of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery also employs four peripatetic staff to teach drama, dance, swimming and football. The setting focuses on providing care and learning

p.3

Description of the setting

based on Montessori and other principals. The setting is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. It is very well equipped and provides an extensive curriculum to cover all aspects of the six early learning goals. The wide range of activities are enhanced by imaginative use of the delightful outside garden area which has been planted with a variety of vegetation, including wild plants to widen the children’s understanding of the natural environment, and root and other vegetables which help to stimulate the children’s experience of sources of healthy diet. It maintains close links with the local community and supports the children during their transition to reception in other schools. The children take full advantage of the many opportunities to engage in physical activity in the playground. They also develop sophisticated social skills in activities which enhance their personal development. Children of all abilities and backgrounds are made welcome in this inclusive setting. They are well supervised

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

and cared for, the atmosphere is safe and friendly, and staff work very hard to ensure that the provision meets all the children’s individual needs.

p.3

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.3

further?

 maintaining the outstanding provision and outcomes for all the children

p.3

provision

This is a very well organised and secure setting which offers an outstanding service to the children placed in its care. It offers excellent facilities, including a very well equipped kitchen, and toilets maintained to a high standard of decoration This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and hygiene. It also has a disabled toilet. The children are able to take part in a wide range of healthy, energetic and stimulating activities. These excite their interest and ensure that they greatly enjoy their time here. High staffing ratios and excellent supervision ensure that the children’s welfare and safety are their primary concern. The children are carefully registered on entry and checked out safely into the custody of their parent or appointed carer. The register accurately reflects the children’s daily hours of attendance, ensuring their safety and security. Recommendations in the last report to review accident, incident and medication

p.3

provision

recording procedures to ensure that the correct procedures are followed, and to update the complaints procedure and maintain a record of complaints that is available for parents have been addressed. In order to improve the quality and standards of nursery education further, the staff have gained a thorough knowledge of the Foundation Stage. The monitoring and evaluation of the children’s progress is exhaustive. Comprehensive notes are kept of the results of observations so that that appropriate challenge can be given to link the children's next steps in their learning towards achieving their early learning goals. The staff enjoy an excellent relationship with parents and carers who confirm that they greatly value the dedicated commitment of the staff in providing the best possible standard of care for their children, as one parent said 'We’re thrilled, I can’t fault it'. Regular contact and feedback keeps them well informed of their children’s

p.4

provision

progress. Policies and procedures for the effective running of the nursery are of a high standard and reviewed annually. They are prominently displayed for easy access. All members of the full time staff hold appropriate qualifications in childcare, six hold early years degrees, and one has a masters degree in effective early learning. Safeguarding arrangements are fully in place, all staff have received advanced child protection and appropriate first aid training. Enhanced checks have been carried out to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Because this is an outstanding nursery there are no recommendations for improvement. The nursery continuously evaluates its performance. Through this process of constantly seeking to find ways to further improve the high quality care offered, the nursery demonstrates an outstanding capacity to continue to improve.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The nursery provides an excellent variety of activities to heighten the children’s experiences of the world around them, from taking the children on visits to the Butterfly Jungle, Battersea Park Zoo and Holland Park, to involving them in cooking buns and cakes in the well appointed kitchen, or learning about the natural world in the outside classroom and learning pool. The children show a high level of enthusiasm for all the activities which they access. They play well with each other, cooperating in physical and board games, showing that they are highly capable of using their own initiative to instigate activities of their own choosing. The staff support the children well in developing a spirit of independence and in helping them to foster highly positive and productive relationships. This assists their excellent spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, which is seen in their high levels of confidence, maturity and self-esteem. This in turn helps to maintain

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

excellent behaviour in which the development of conversational skills play an integral part of the overall provision. Consequently, the children build a strong sense of community. Through fully embracing the Early Years and Foundation This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Stage curriculum, the setting provides activities appropriate to the children’s levels of ability, which challenges them well and extends their learning and overall development. The children fully understand the importance of staying safe and healthy. This is seen in the children’s meticulous observance of keeping clean through regularly washing their hands and wearing suitable clothing. Prominently displayed posters serve as a constant reminder of the importance of safety and hygiene, highlighted in the constant cleanliness of the toilets and safe kitchen practice. The nursery covers all the required areas of early learning through a

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

broad programme of weekly curricular planning, including learning French, developing the children through dance, the use of materials and paint, and listening to stories. Parents comment that 'it’s bringing out all the best' in their children, that they 'learn a lot, numbers, addition, letters, drama, ballet'. Through keeping very detailed and precise records of each individual child’s progress, the staff are able to closely monitor progress and ensure that each child develops as well as possible. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

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? 1

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7