Fellowship of St Nicholas

Fellowship of St Nicholas Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 511215 Inspection date 10/12/2009 Inspector Alison Weaver

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Setting address St Nicholas Centre, 66 London Road, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, TN37 6AS Telephone number 01424 423683 Email fellowshipofstnicholas.org.uk Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Fellowship of St Nicholas is one of two settings run by the charity. The nursery opened in 2003 and operates from a single-storey building with two main playrooms. It is situated next to a Children's Centre in St Leonards-on-Sea close to parks, shops and schools. The nursery opens five days a week for 48 weeks of the year. Opening times are from 8.00am to 6.00pm. All children share access to two secure enclosed outdoor play areas.

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Description of the setting

The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of 38 children may attend at any one time. There are currently 99 children on roll in the early years age range. The provision also offers care to children aged over five years. Children come from the local area. The setting currently supports a number of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

The setting employs 11 staff. All of the staff, including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are very happy, well occupied and build good relationships with each other and with adults. They thoroughly enjoy their time at the setting and have fun at the different activities. Their welfare needs are met well and they make excellent progress in their learning. Extremely strong links with parents enable them to share in children’s care and education and help meet their needs. Effective steps are taken to continually improve outcomes for children and to support parents.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 obtain written parental permission for the seeking of any necessary medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 05/01/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 improve hygiene procedures with regard to the snack bar. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children’s safety is effectively promoted in the setting as there are rigorous recruitment procedures to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. All staff receive regular training on safeguarding and knows what to do if they suspect a child is being abused. Very good safety procedures and risk assessments are implemented by staff to ensure that children stay safe and free from harm at all times. All other required documentation to protect and promote children’s welfare is in place, with the exception of written parental permission for the seeking of any emergency medical treatment or advice. Although parents are informed that the setting may need to take emergency action, the lack of written consent is a breach of a legal welfare requirement.

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the early years provision

The setting has excellent working relationships with parents. Staff work very hard to involve parents in their child’s learning and development and to extend learning at home. There are many ways in which the views and observations of parents are sought and used effectively to plan activities that will help their child continue to make progress. Parents are kept really well informed about their child’s progress as they have regular meetings with staff where they can see the assessment records and discuss the next steps for learning. Parents are also encouraged to share their traditions and backgrounds with all the children to help develop a positive attitude towards differences in society.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with other providers are working well. When staff identify a child’s need for additional support they ensure that they involve interagency teams so that the appropriate support and care is given. The setting also helps children who are making the transition to school by working closely with their school and the parents.

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the early years provision

Leaders and managers have high expectations and a clear view of how they want to continue to develop the setting. They, together with all the staff team, regularly review their organisation and practices in order to address any identified areas they feel need further improvement or development. These include the new 'growing garden' that parents are also being encouraged to help develop. Children greatly benefit from the changes that are made. The setting has a strong, enthusiastic and committed staff team who work extremely well together and support each other effectively. Their knowledge and skills are continually being developed by regular supervision, appraisals and ongoing training.

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and outcomes for children

The environment is stimulating and welcoming for children and parents. The low storage means that children develop their independence as they help themselves to an excellent range of safe and suitable resources. They see to their own personal needs such as visiting the toilet and deciding when they want a drink or snack. Overall, good hygiene procedures are carried out and children learn the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 importance of a healthy lifestyle. Children are encouraged to eat healthily while at the setting. However, staff do not always ensure children wash their hands before they have their snack to help reinforce their understanding of good hygiene practices. Children frequently choose to play outside in the fresh air rather than indoors. They enjoy the opportunities to use their bodies in different ways as they explore, climb, crawl, run and jump using the different equipment.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s awareness of safety is developing exceptionally well and staff continually reinforce this throughout the day as situations arise. Children demonstrate that they know why certain safety checks are carried out and what will happen if these are not done. Planned activities and visits from police are also used well to develop children’s understanding of safety.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well because they are interested and engaged in the stimulating activities. They enjoy decorating cakes and making patterns with the jelly shapes. They like to cuddle up to look at books with adults and each other. They use their imagination well as they make each other better in the home corner. Children have fun making music using the electronic keyboard. Younger children enjoy the sensory activities, such as jelly play, that staff provide for them. They show an interest in the special book containing pictures of themselves and their friends on adventures with Billy Bear.

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and outcomes for children

Children make extremely good progress in their learning. The high quality planning is very focused on meeting the needs and interests of individual children. The observations and assessments are used very effectively to guide the planning in order to help each child make progress in all areas of learning. Staff demonstrate that they have a good knowledge of their key children and how to help them achieve. Those children with additional needs and a different home language are given the extra support and attention that they need to help them develop. Staff interaction with children is excellent as they are very skilled at supporting and extending learning through play. This results in children who are suitably challenged and who confidently express their thoughts and feelings. Children’s ability to solve problems for themselves is also being promoted really well by staff. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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