The Annex

The Annex

Inspection report for early years provision

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The Annex

Unique Reference Number EY297165 Inspection date 22 November 2005 Inspector Lucy Showell

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The Annex

Setting Address 32A Lyttelton Road, Stechford, Birmingham, West Midlands, B33 8BH Telephone number 0121 244 9375

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E-mail

Registered person Joanne McNally Type of inspection Childcare 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

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

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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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The Annex opened in 2005. It operates from one large room in Stetchford, Birmingham. A maximum of 24 children aged 1 to 8 years may attend at any one time. The setting operates various facilities within the remit of Full Day Care. Opening hours vary for each type of care, within Monday to Friday, 50 weeks per year. All children have access to a safe and secure outdoor play area. The number of children on roll varies for each type of care. The Annex serves families and children in the local community and surrounding areas. The Annex employs five staff. Of these, two members of staff including the manager

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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 hold an appropriate early years qualification and one other member of staff is working towards an appropriate early years qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy good health and healthy lifestyle is encouraged at the setting. Children stay healthy because the staff understand and implement good health and hygiene procedures and follow appropriate environmental health requirements. Children benefit through a well-presented environment that is clean and well-maintained. Children’s care is promoted well through the useful documentation in place. For example, health and dietary needs are met because individual requirements are recorded by parents on the registration forms and this information is used when preparing refreshments. Children are well nourished through appropriate meals and snacks. They receive adequate quantities of food for their needs and drinks are readily available. Children's overall health and welfare is promoted well through the effectively implemented policies and procedures and their care is fostered through familiar and

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Helping children to be healthy

well-organised routines. They learn about the importance of personal hygiene through discussions and the daily routines, they rest and sleep according to their needs and enjoy varied physical activity through use of the school playground and apparatus and through use of the outdoor play area and equipment at the setting.

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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 safe, secure and welcoming indoor and outdoor environment. They access well-organised space that allows free movement and well spread out activities. Children’s resources are suitable for their age and developmental stage and comply with British Safety Standards and access is restricted when necessary. Children’s welfare is effectively promoted through the staff’s base knowledge and proactive skills with regard to safety. For example, staff identify and minimise any possible hazards through constant observation and risk assessments. Children learn about their own and others safety through involvement in safety issues to ensure that they are able to limit any accidental injury. For example, older children help to organise the spaces available through choosing suitable activities and show consideration for others safety through tidying up after themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is promoted through use of effective documentation to include an informative child protection policy in line with local Area Child Protection Committee guidance. Children are protected from harm through the staff’s appropriate

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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 knowledge of the child protection procedures. For example, scenario questions are answered with confidence and sound knowledge.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children’s enjoyment and achievements at the setting are promoted through bright and colourful displays of children’s own work, individual craft books and free access to a wide range of toys and equipment that is rotated to maintain interest. Children’s play is promoted through time, flexibility and respect. For example, some children have part built models using construction toys and have put them on the side ready to complete when they return. Children develop good confidence and positive self-esteem through receiving plenty of praise and encouragement. Their independence is promoted through free choice of activities and child initiated responsibilities. For example, one child has set up a table football tournament for children and staff to participate in. Children build good relationships with each other and show respect and consideration through setting up games for each other and helping to tidy away

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

afterwards. Children interact well with the staff. They enjoy a wide range of activities and ask and answer questions in conversation during play. Therefore, they build positive relationships to facilitate staff’s good understanding of their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s continuity of care is promoted well through useful documentation in place and ongoing communication with parents. For example, individual information is shared with parents through daily verbal feedback and they receive information about the setting including policies and procedures through clear displays on a notice board. Children’s sense of belonging is promoted through additional responsibilities. For example, each day a child is chosen to be the helper and takes on responsibility of tasks such as laying the table for tea. Their independence is developed as they are able to select resources for themselves and work independently and they show good awareness of the needs of others and their own needs through playing and working harmoniously together. Children have a good understanding of acceptable behaviour and develop good self-esteem and demonstrate respect for others. For example, every week a child is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

voted as `star of the week’. This is judged on particular achievements in the previous week and positively reinforces good behaviour. Children’s awareness and understanding of the diverse community is promoted through effective use of appropriate resources that reflect positive images and through discussion and creative activities.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s welfare is actively promoted through the detailed policies and procedures that work effectively in practise to facilitate children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Children’s care is effectively promoted through the well written documentation with regard to the overall organisation of the setting. However, the registration system does not detail accurate times of arrival and departure and the provider is unaware of the revisions to certain criteria in the National Standards. Children’s continuity of care is promoted well through the appropriate staffing system for recruitment, appraisal and training and ratios are correctly maintained. Children benefit through the staff’s valuable practice with regard to reviewing of documentation and effective approach to maintain confidentiality. Children enjoy the well organised environment which is divided to offer effective

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Organisation

space to partake freely in a wide range of activities. Children learn through the staff’s appropriate knowledge of child development. For example, their resources and equipment promote overall development and are rotated to maintain interest. Children take pleasure in initiating activities and adult led activities, there is opportunity for free choice and supported play and individual needs are met through the strong relationships built up between children, staff and parents. Therefore, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

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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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 registers are maintained with accurate times for arrival and departure • ensure revisions to certain criteria of the National Standards are obtained and adhered to.

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The quality and standards of the care

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 care

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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