YMCA Newport Nursery, St Mary's

YMCA Day Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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YMCA Day Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY302408 Inspection date 16 September 2005 Inspector Lilyanne Taylor

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YMCA Day Nursery

Setting Address St. Marys Hospital, Parkhurst Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5TG Telephone number 01983 525 423

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E-mail

Registered person YMCA Fairthorne Group 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?

YMCA Day Nursery was registered in 2005. It is run by the YMCA organisation which has charitable status. The nursery operates from a purpose built unit situated in the grounds of St Mary's Hospital, Newport on the Isle of Wight. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area. A maximum of 86 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 07:30 - 18:00 for 51 weeks of the year. There are currently 100 children on roll. Of these 20 receive funding for nursery

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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 education. The nursery employ 26 staff of these, 23 hold appropriate early years qualifications and 1 is working towards a qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's good health is not fully promoted across all areas of the nursery, because some hygiene procedures and policies are not consistently put into practice. For example only younger children's hands are cleaned prior to eating at all times and fresh fruit is not always washed prior to children's consumption. Older children's toilet facilities are not fully equipped to meet their needs and although nappy changing equipment is kept clean, furnishings on which nappy changing takes place is not. Staff liaise closely with parents to ensure all dietary requirements are met and understood. All required documentation to support children's welfare is maintained as required. Staff follow babies individual sleeping and feeding routines. Not all children are fully supported to gain an understanding of healthy eating. Although they are provided with a selection of meals which are healthy and nutritious children attending

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Helping children to be healthy

only a morning session do not always have the opportunity of having fresh fruit as a snack. Children develop a positive attitude towards physical exercise and benefit from outside play at regular intervals throughout the day and walks around the local environment. Toddlers receive good support from staff while learning how to control their bodies and building their physical skills. Children show a good sense of space and move confidentially during activities. They show good co-ordination and balancing skills when using large equipment such as a balancing beam and climbing frame.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, bright and spacious environment. Attractive displays of children's work adorn all walls and corridors. Procedures in place ensure most children are kept safe at all times. For example safety gates are fitted on areas children are not to have unsupervised access to, sleeping babies are monitored and informal risk assessments are carried out on all areas within the nursery building and younger children's outdoor play area on a daily basis. The entrance to the nursery premises is kept secure. Children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised and they are only able to be collected by persons known and authorised by their parents. Most equipment and resources is stored appropriately and checked as used to ensure it safe and suitable for children. There are clear procedures in place to safeguard children's welfare. All staff attend child protection training at onset of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

employment which ensures they are fully aware of the procedures they should follow if abuse of a child were suspected. Fire drills are regularly carried out so children and staff are aware of the procedures should they need to evacuate the premises.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children arrive happily, settle quickly and enjoy the time they spend at nursery. Staff use their understanding of the Birth to three framework to provide children with a range of stimulating, exciting and appropriate activities. Children enjoy craft activities and use pan scourers and sponges to paint. They listen to the differing sounds items such as corks and glitter make when placed in a shaker and use their sense of touch to explore and feel various textures of materials. All children enjoy plenty of opportunities to develop their social skills. They sit together and chat during meal times, negotiate and co-operate during role play and share and take turns when playing games or using equipment. Nursery Education The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. Children make steady progress towards the early learning goals in all areas. Staff plan a programme of activities to cover all areas of learning. Focussed activities show

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the differentiation for varying abilities and because the staff know the children well these are further adapted to suit individual children's needs so they are appropriately challenged. Children's awareness and natural curiosity of the local environment is aroused through walks to the duck pond, secret garden and forest. They learn about nature through their observations of seeds they grow and care for and by watching eggs kept in an incubator hatch into chicks. Children gain a sense of time when using a sand timer to wait for their turn on the computer. They use computers confidently and competently and are pleased to demonstrate their skills to others. Children express themselves creatively using a wide range of materials and are allowed to complete their work to their own specification and satisfaction. Although staff have a sound knowledge and understanding of the early learning goals and the stepping

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

stones of children's learning they do not always use this knowledge when presenting activities to children. Consequently, children are not gaining the most learning from them. Children are not effectively questioned to make them think or predict what may happen for example when mixing water with sand. Children are introduced to some concepts of mathematics through planned activities. However, staff miss many opportunities during other activities and everyday routines to extend children’s learning of counting and problem solving. Children are beginning to recognise their own names and some words they see in the environment, most resources are labelled with pictures and written words. Children use their imagination well and enjoy making up their own role play situations. For example when a member of staff said she had hurt her arm, children took on the roles of doctors and nurses and she was quickly escorted to the hospital where they tended to her. Children sing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enthusiastically to songs they know well, for example, the wheels on a bus and the alphabet song. They enjoy looking at books and sit attentively to listen to stories staff read. Children generally behave well and their achievements and good behaviour is rewarded with praise. However, they are not always supported to gain an understanding of the rules and behaviour expectations of the settings.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show good levels of confidence and independence. They are relaxed and comfortable with staff and familiar with routines and some expectations of the setting. They learn to share and take turns with other children and enjoy having responsibilities. For example they help to tidy away the toys and help staff to carry items of food to the kitchen. Children play with a range of resources that provide them with the opportunity of gaining an awareness of others and wider society. Staff use praise and encouragement to re-enforce good behaviour. Overall children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. Whilst the nursery do not have any children with special needs currently in attendance, systems in place, show staff have a positive attitude towards working with parents and other professionals to ensure all children are integrated and included in the nursery. The partnership with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents is good. Children benefit from the effective two way sharing of information staff have with parents which ensure their care needs are met fully. Home link books detail the care and meals provided and some achievements their child has made. Parents are welcomed to write in these any information from home. Staff then use this information to ensure children are provided with continuity and consistency of care and their development and learning progressed. Parents receive and have access to good information about the setting and the activities their children engage in. They are encouraged to be involved with their child's learning at home and are able to discuss their child's progress with staff both informally and formally. Children's records of achievement are shared with parents and they are able to contribute their knowledge of their child's development and progress which staff take into account

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Helping children make a positive contribution

when planning their next steps in learning. Parents are encouraged to comment on the quality of care their child is receiving by filling in a questionnaire. The organisation evaluates all responses; suggestions for improving the nursery are taken into account and appropriate action is taken to address any issues or concerns a parent may have.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The nursery has a strong commitment towards providing an environment in the community where children are nurtured and supported to develop. Overall the nursery is meeting the needs of the children for whom it provides. Leadership and management of the nursery is satisfactory. Effective employment procedures ensure children are only cared for by adults who are suitable. Staff make good use of space which maximises the opportunities children have to engage in a wide range of activities. Separate base areas are provided for babies, toddlers and pre-school children. All children benefit from good levels of supervision as high staffing ratios are maintained. Inconsistencies within the staff team in applying some procedures and practices has an impact on the nursery being able to fully promote and protect children's health and their ability to ensure older children are kept safe. All

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Organisation

documentation is well organised and maintained as required. Staff are conscientious about maintaining confidentiality and store children's records securely. The nursery

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 has a strong commitment towards staff development. All staff attend in service training which is provided through the organisation and local authority. A system for monitoring and evaluating the quality of teaching and nursery education provided is in place and the leader and manager have identified and recognised some weaknesses in the provision. However, because a system for addressing these issues is not yet fully developed it is impacting on the learning and progress children are making. The nursery display their registration certificate and an Ofsted poster which informs parents of the procedures they should follow if they have any views of the setting.

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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 a clean and healthy environment is maintained to meet the needs of all children • encourage older children to have an awareness of good hygiene practices with regard eating. • implement procedures for ensuring the outdoor play area used by older children is safe and free from hazards at all times.

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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):

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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 • continue to develop systems for addressing identified weaknesses in the quality of teaching provided to ensure children are effectively questioned and appropriately supported to gain the most learning from activities they engage in. • capitalise on the use of routines and incidental learning opportunities to develop children's knowledge and understanding of all aspects of mathematics. • provide children with clear explanations of the rules and behavioural expectations of the nursery so they gain an understanding of what is wrong and the reasons why.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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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