Seesaws Merridale

Seesaws Day Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Seesaws Day Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY289872 Inspection date 20 September 2005 Inspector Patricia Dawes

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Seesaws Day Nursery

Setting Address 53 Merridale Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV3 9SE

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E-mail

Registered person Seesaws Day Nurseries Ltd 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 good. 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 outstanding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

See Saws Day Nursery is one of five nurseries run by See Saws Day Nursery Ltd. It opened in 2004 and operates from a newly converted house and purpose built extension. It is situated on a on the outskirts of Wolverhampton. A maximum of 69 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 07.00 to 18.45 for 52 weeks of the year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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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 There are currently 70 children aged from 6 weeks to under 8 years on roll. Of these 11 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from a wide catchment area, as most of their parents travel in to work on or around Wolverhampton. The nursery employs 13 staff. 10 of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications. 3 staff are working towards a qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children thrive because staff follow effective procedures and practices which meet the children’s physical, nutritional and health needs. Skilful adult support and guidance helps children gain an encouraging understanding of hygiene and a desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care. Mainly good levels of hygiene are sustained to prevent spread of infection and cross contamination; however children in the 2-3 years room sleep on large cushions without the use of individual sheets, this compromises children’s health. Children explore, test and develop physical control in stimulating daily indoor and outdoor experiences. Staff have an enthusiastic knowledge of 'Birth to three matters'. Their substantial understanding of each child’s stage of development means the youngest children are confident to try out new skills, ask for help when needed and set their own limits within the safe environment. For example, two-year-olds are

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Helping children to be healthy

thrilled as they successfully climb the slide without adult help for the first time. Older children develop a positive attitude to physical exercise. They delight in the challenges of a versatile range of activities, such as dance lessons, which they tackle enthusiastically. Children enjoy a varied menu and staff take care to ensure individual dietary needs are catered for, in order to maintain children's welfare and respect parents' wishes. Children help themselves to easily accessible drinking water throughout the session and enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables at snack time. Meals offered are well-balanced and take account of the individual and cultural needs of all children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe environment. Entrance is via the reception where coded key pads on the main entrance door ensure no un-authorised persons can gain access. Premises are welcoming to both parents and children with displays in all rooms of children’s work or information which contributes well to children’s safety and well-being. Children have access to a variety of very good quality, well-maintained resources which are developmentally appropriate. They are motivated and encouraged to learn

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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 by the keen adult support and well-planned variations of activities; however children’s access to books in the 2-3 year room is sometimes hindered by the poor arrangements for display. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because staff are vigilant and use thorough risk assessments to reduce potential hazards. Staff have an good understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits, and how to involve children effectively in organising their environment. This allows children to learn some sense of danger and knowledge about how to protect themselves from harm. Children are well-protected by staff who have a clear understanding of child protection. Comprehensive and effective policies and procedures are in place to promote and give high priority to children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy their time in the nursery. They achieve well because staff are highly skilled and use their exceptional understanding of early years guidance, such as ‘Birth to three matters’ and the Curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage, to provide high quality care and education. All children arrive happy and eager to participate. Those who are new to the nursery are helped to settle by staff that are sensitive towards their individual needs. The youngest children make excellent progress because staff recognise the uniqueness of each child. Close and caring relationships increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. High quality adult-child interaction supports early communication skills. Children begin to make sense of the world and express their ideas as they join in a diverse range of exploratory and sensory experiences, for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

example, using sand and paint to make effective art displays in the baby room. Nursery Education. The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. Children are captivated and often inspired by an extensive range of stimulating, relevant activities related to their needs. They access an extensive range of good resources, which support their learning across all areas of learning. All children are eager to learn, self-assured in their play and confident to try new experiences. They listen intently to stories and can recount favourite songs and rhymes. All children use marks readily to represent their ideas and older children are adept at writing their own names. Children are extremely imaginative. They make sense of the world around them in the stimulating outdoor area and create exciting, individual art work. They are inquisitive, fascinated by how things such as where animal live and wonder at the changes they observe in the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

pre-school sensory garden. Children work well together. For example, younger children learn how to operate computer equipment following the guidance of the older children. Children gain confidence in using numbers in their play and respond enthusiastically to challenges

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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 to extend their mathematical vocabulary and skills in planned activities and daily routines. Their physical skills develop and improve through a wide variety of experiences, including dance. Right from the start, staff find out about children’s skills, interests and needs and build on this information effectively to help children achieve as much as they can. A flexible approach to planning and an excellent balance between adult and child-led activities allows children to learn at their own pace. Staff are perceptive to children’s interests during self-initiated play and they use questions very successfully to challenge children’s thinking and language skills. They use highly effective systems to observe, monitor and record children’s achievements and to plan experiences that

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

help children take the next step in their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the setting. In the main staff support younger children in sharing and turn taking, however not all children’s individual needs are met consistently. Staff have high expectations and set consistent boundaries for the three to five-year-olds, which helps them learn to negotiate with others and take responsibility for their own behaviour. Their behaviour is exemplary. Staff increase children’s understanding of right and wrong, they respond to gentle reminders to care for their environment, the nursery resources and each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children have extensive opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through planned activities, visitors to the nursery and outings to local places of interest. This positive approach fosters children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development well. Partnership with parents is outstanding and contributes significantly to children’s well-being in the pre-school. Staff actively seeks parents’ views about their children’s needs and interests before the child starts at the setting, and on a regular basis throughout their time there. Staff ensure that all parents know how their children are progressing and developing. Children benefit greatly from the involvement of their parents in projects, which contributes to their good heath, safety, development and learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Recruitment and vetting procedures are robust and rigorous to ensure children are well protected. The premises are well organised. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. Children are cared for by staff with extensive knowledge and understanding of child development. All legally required documentation which contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being is in place and is regularly reviewed.

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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 The leadership and management of the setting is outstanding. An excellent appraisal system ensures that the nursery’s comprehensive policies and procedures are consistently applied. All staff are committed to continuous improvement and development. They regularly reflect, monitor and improve the quality of their care and education as part of an accredited quality assurance scheme. Children benefit from highly qualified and skilled staff who are effectively inducted, and supported well as childcare practitioners. The high quality of the provision means that the nursery meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been 3 complaints since last inspection relating to National Standards 2 Organisation, Standard 7 Health, Standard 8 Food & Drink and Standard 12 Working in Partnership with Parents. These complaints concerned staff child ratios, medication procedures, hygiene issues linked to baby bottle making, the provision of food and communication with parents. On 2 occasions Ofsted asked the provider to report in writing in response to these concerns and on one occasion Ofsted investigated during inspection. Evidence presented by the provider demonstrated that in relation to the issues on ratios, hygiene and food, the requirements of the National Standards were being met. Appropriate steps have been taken by the provider to improve procedures and staff awareness in relation to the administration of medication and the reporting of incidents to parents. The provider remains qualified for registration. This has

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Complaints since the last inspection

contributed well to partnership with parents, and the health, safety and well-being of children . 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 good. 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 outstanding.

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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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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 toddlers are protected from cross contamination when sleeping • improve the display of books in the 2-3 year room to allow children to access easily • actively promote equal opportunities by ensuring younger children's cultural needs are both valued and addressed.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of nursery education are outstanding.

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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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