Nesham Private Nursery

Nesham Private Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Nesham Private Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY217367 Inspection date 27 October 2005 Inspector Jean Wilson

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Nesham Private Nursery

Setting Address Nesham Place, Houghton le Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH5 8AE

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E-mail

Registered person Nesham Private Nursery Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Full day care

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E-mail

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Nesham Day Nursery is owned and managed privately. It was registered in 2001. It operates from three rooms within a single storey building, which has direct access to enclosed outside play areas. It is situated in Houghton le Spring, County Durham. The nursery operates all year round, excluding bank holidays, weekdays from 07:30 to 18:00 hours. A maximum of 59 children may attend at any one time. There are currently 68 children from 4 months to under 5 years on roll. Of these, 20 children

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 receive funding for nursery education. Children attend for a variety of sessions. Seven full-time and 11 part-time members of staff are employed to work directly with the children. All except one member of the staff, including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications to NVQ level 3 or 2. One member is currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from the Local Authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children thrive as good account is taken of information from parents about children’s dietary needs and preferences. Staff are mindful of each child’s individual needs regarding feeding and sleep routines. They have a clear knowledge of nursery procedures, which are implemented effectively, helping to promote children's wellbeing. They are good role models, for example, wearing disposable gloves when nappy changing, hand washing and cleaning surfaces at appropriate times. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through consistent daily routines. However, toddler's health and safety would be further safeguarded if changing facilities were improved to minimise the risk of cross infection and ensure their privacy. All children benefit from a varied and healthy range of food and mealtimes are a happy social occasion. An imaginative menu encourages children to have a good

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Helping children to be healthy

awareness of healthy meal options and the opportunity to try new foods. They enjoy fresh vegetables at lunchtime and a selection of healthy snacks throughout the day. Children confidently ask for drinks when thirsty, as well as having fresh water and milk regularly provided. Outdoor play space with age appropriate wheeled toys and resources is available for each age group; children enjoy regular active play and develop a very positive attitude to exercise. The environment for older children provides stimulating adventure play equipment with opportunities to climb, jump and slide safely. Children are adept at using the space around them, especially when they are manoeuvring scooters or running. There are many opportunities for the children to develop their manipulative skills through handling a range of tools and equipment; children demonstrate increasing dexterity and confidence. Clear policies, good relationships with parents and relevant training ensure that

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Helping children to be healthy

individual children are cared for well should they become ill. All relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms are in place and up to date. These positively safeguard children's well being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The provision is good. Children are protected well as the nursery facilities are secure at all times. This is supplemented with good procedures for adults collecting children. The effective use of space ensures that babies have opportunities to explore the use of their bodies; they stretch, kick, roll and crawl, without the danger of rolling into highchairs or other such equipment. Babies sleep safely within sight and staff make regular checks. All children access a wide range of suitable, safe toys and equipment. Staff are vigilant, conduct ongoing visual risk assessments, and respond quickly to potential hazards, such as spillages. They have a good understanding of most health and safety procedures, which they implement effectively. However, injuries occurring at home are not recorded, which could have a detrimental effect on children’s

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

welfare. Fire drills are carried out on a regular basis and staff and children are familiar with the evacuation procedure. All staff have a good understanding of the child protection procedures and all visitors to the nursery are recorded and supervised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time in the nursery and build good relationships with staff and peers. New children settle particularly well because of the welcoming, warm and individual support given by all the staff. Babies are nurtured well and they receive lots of cuddles and attention. They make very good progress as staff take time to communicate with them and join in their play to increase self-confidence and esteem. For example, babies laughed and squealed with delight when hiding their hands in a tray of play foam. Three and four-year olds relate well to each other and develop good self help skills. Their independence is fostered by the environment, which is laid out to promote choice and allow them easy access to activities. They have ownership of the resources in a predictable layout and quickly become adept at selecting and replacing equipment. Children aged between eighteen months and three years are beginning to show

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

emerging confidence. However, provision for this age group to develop independence and a sense of belonging is less effective, as activities are generally adult led and the environment provides limited choice. An acceptable range of activities is provided and children are encouraged to explore their environment and to develop their early communication, creative and physical skills. Staff could further promote children's development, for example, by the use of the Birth to three matters framework to enhance practice. Nursery Education Children receiving nursery education are based in a separate room. The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. Staff have a sound knowledge of the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Foundation Stage. Children take part in focused activities that are linked to the stepping stones from the areas of learning. However, there are no plans to show what children do outside of these focused activities. Therefore, staff cannot ensure that children take part in activities that cover all aspects of each area of learning regularly. Assessments and progress records are in place, however, a clear picture of children's development is not established. Staff do not use the assessments effectively to help them plan what children should do next. Therefore, although children do enjoy a wide range of activities, they do not have the opportunity to build on what they know and have already achieved. This could have negative effect on children’s overall progression. Children confidently talk about people and events in their lives. Their sense of time

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

develops well as they follow a routine of observing the weather and the seasons. Children gain awareness and knowledge of the wider world through projects, celebrating festivals and visits. They are able to communicate their ideas and needs clearly and effectively. They enjoy mark making, although they do not use it extensively in their role play. They are interested in books and listen attentively to well presented stories. However, opportunities for children to begin to link sounds to letters are introduced inappropriately when staff do not link this activity to children’s stage of development. Children hear mathematical language and begin to use this in their play. For example, children playing hopscotch with a member of staff counted accurately and recognised some numbers to ten. The older and more able children are not fully encouraged to further their mathematical thinking within practical routines and activities. Children have opportunities to investigate and explore a range

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of materials and experiences during teacher led activities. For example, when preparing soup the children were fascinated by the feel, texture and smell of the vegetables. However, opportunities for children to handle real things and engage in imaginative play, spontaneously are undeveloped; role-play is not sufficiently planned for or resourced to stimulate children’s interest. Children select from an adequate range of creative resources. They explore colour regularly as they paint and have a spacious area to create freely.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing a positive attitude towards others, they interact appropriately with peers, sharing toys and taking turns. They have a good awareness of expected codes of behaviour, such as waiting quietly to go outside. Staff are good role models through the care and concern they show the children; they promote and manage behaviour appropriately and children are beginning to understand right from wrong. In general, all children have access to a suitable range of activities and equipment. They gain some awareness of the wider community by seeing and using adequate resources, which reflect positive images of ethnicity and gender. Older children show growing self-help skills and confidence, for instance, choosing from clearly labelled toys and activities. They are encouraged to take care of their own needs. As a result, many children put on and fasten their coats and attend to their personal needs well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

However, improved facilities for toddlers would ensure that their independence was

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 promoted and their comfort and dignity were always assured. Partnership with parents and carers is good. They receive written information about the nursery and the policies and procedures in place. Respective parents may access their child's records. Regular verbal feedback from staff and a home to nursery diary system for babies, enables parents and staff to share relevant information. This helps staff to work alongside parents, in keeping with their wishes, so as to meet children's needs. The nursery fosters children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's care is supported by the calm atmosphere generated by the caring staff and management. The premises and equipment are well maintained and the outdoor areas provide children with regular opportunities to play in the fresh air. The play rooms are bright and welcoming and most resources are effectively organised to enhance play. The required policies, procedures and record keeping systems are in place. The majority of which are appropriately organised and maintained. Good regard is given to keeping children's records and personal information confidential. Staff hold appropriate qualifications and have access to support, such as regular team meetings and individual appraisal sessions. Well thought out induction procedures for new staff aim to ensure that they are familiar with all aspects across the age ranges. The leadership and management of the group is satisfactory. The management are

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Organisation

aware of developments in the early years sector and have high expectations for the nursery. Most aspects of the provision are managed and monitored informally and effectively. However, the system for monitoring and evaluating the programme for education does not identify gaps in the curriculum. Information regularly gleaned about children's individual developmental progress is not clearly linked to planning; plans do not show how those children needing additional support or challenge are catered for. All staff work well as a team and generally organise their time well. However, the deployment of staff in the care of children under three requires improvement in order to ensure that domestic routines do not detract staff from fully attending to children’s needs. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection issues were raised concerning the organisation of care and procedures with regard to health and safety and meal times. Full consideration has been given to these areas. Improved hygiene and safety practices and documentation are in place; a healthy eating menu provides foods that are freshly prepared and nutritious. This ensures satisfactory outcomes for children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Complaints since the last inspection

A complaint was received against Standard 2: Organisation. The provider submitted an internal investigation report regarding the concerns raised. The provision was found to be acting within the standards and remains qualified for registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that appropriate, safe changing facilities are available in the toddler room • ensure that parental information with regard to accidents is recorded in order to ensure that children are protected • further develop the range of activities provided for children under three, which will allow children to build on their natural curiosity as learners and promote their creativity and development, for example, by using the Birth to three matters framework • ensure staff are effectively and purposefully deployed to meet children’s individual needs, specifically at mealtimes.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop planning to ensure all areas of learning receive regular and adequate attention • improve the system for assessment in order to identify children's progress and effectively plan for the next steps in learning.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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