Tortoise Nursery

Tortoise Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 208279 Inspection date 29/04/2010 Inspector Kathryn Mary Harding

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Setting address 7 Wrekin Professional Centre, Holyhead Road, Wellington, TELFORD, Shropshire, TF1 2EH Telephone number 01952 254040 Email tortoisenursery@aol.com 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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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

Tortoise Nursery opened in 2000 and is one of two nurseries owned by the same proprietor. It is a single storey building situated in a business and care complex, close to Wellington town centre. There are three main rooms for the children and an enclosed outdoor play area. The nursery has sole use of the building. A maximum of 42 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday, from 7.30am to 6.00pm, all year round, except bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

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Description of the setting

The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently 57 children on roll. Of these 48 children are in the early years age range. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and also those who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

Nine staff work with the children; eight have relevant qualifications in early years education and one is working towards a qualification.

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Description of the setting

The nursery receives support from a teacher mentor from the local authority.

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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

Staff work well together to provide an environment where each child is respected and valued as a unique person and their individual needs are met. Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implement this effectively ensuring that children are well cared for and make good progress in their learning and development. Although, at times, some staff miss the opportunity to extend fully children's learning and child-initiated time is not fully extended. Partnerships with parents are strong and staff ensure they are kept well informed of their child's day. Staff are committed to continuously improving the nursery and work hard to ensure this results in better outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further staff's judgement and knowledge of child-intiated play, to further improve opportunities for children to freely select activities  ensure that staff take all opportunities to fully support and extend all areas of children's learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The safeguarding of children is robust and the procedures are understood by staff who are fully vetted and their suitability ensured through rigorous selection processes. The procedures for child protection are in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance. Staff attend additional training to keep their knowledge in this area up to date. Daily risk assessments and daily checks are conducted to minimise hazards to children and staff. Children are encouraged to keep themselves safe by being gently reminded not to run indoors or climb onto the low level window sills.

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the early years provision

Children's care and learning is promoted well because most staff have a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implement this effectively to promote successful outcomes for children. The staff team are keen to review and improve practice to enhance children's experiences and maximise their learning and development. Since the last inspection all recommendations have been dealt with to ensure better outcomes for children. The manager prioritises areas for improvement and has been working on improving the outdoor area.

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the early years provision

Staff undertake regular detailed observations of children's progress and this links into planning for individual children. Children are given choices about what to play with but staff have a developing knowledge about child-initiated play. Senior staff recognise that at times some staff do not take all opportunities to support and extend children's development and learning and are working with them to improve this.

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the early years provision

Staff know the children very well and have a good understanding of issues relating to equality and diversity as they provide a service that ensures all children and their families are included. Detailed information is sought from parents regarding their child's routine, care needs, and particular preferences and interests, all of which are recorded and acted upon by the staff in a consistent way. Parents of younger children receive daily diaries so they know details about their child's day. The setting has sought parents' evaluations of the service provided. Parental comments include 'very approachable staff if there are any issues', 'a very professional, caring team', 'my children love coming to Tortoise', 'friendly, welcoming environment'.

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the early years provision

Staff are deployed effectively throughout the nursery to support children's learning. The setting understands the benefits of liaising with other providers to promote learning and consistency for the children attending. The nursery have achieved the 'Investors in People' award in 2009 for their commitment to staff training and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled and particularly enjoy their time spent in the outdoor area. All children make good progress towards the early learning goals. Behaviour is positive as children form strong relationships with each other and with adults. An upset child is comforted by staff and other children offer tissues to help. Babies and young toddlers are supported sensitively in becoming aware of the needs of others as well as their own.

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and outcomes for children

In the baby room staff interact well with children during their play and constantly chatter to them, so encouraging them to talk as well as using smiles and facial expressions. Babies freely approach staff for cuddles and reassurance. They explore sounds as they use the musical toys and have fun as they try on different coloured hats. They explore as they play in the rice pudding, spaghetti and custard. As they look at the photographs they begin the recognise themselves as staff ask 'Is that one you?' They become more aware of their body parts as staff name these as they start to point to noses and mouths. They get fresh air daily as they go outdoors and play at the nearby park.

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and outcomes for children

In the toddler room the children enjoy rolling, cutting and prodding the play dough. They listen well as staff relay stories in a lively way so encouraging children's interest in books. Staff get fully involved and ask open-ended questions, so extending children's learning as they ask the children what sounds the animals make. They continually chatter with the children so modelling language effectively to encourage development of communication skills. They talk about their family members as they see their brother in the nursery. They choose what song to sing and when they see the children playing outdoors on the see saw they sing 'See- saw Marjory Daw'. They become aware of colours as they choose what colour cushion they want to sit on.

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and outcomes for children

In the pre-school area children sing a feelings song at circle time in order to give the children a sense of belonging and make them feel valued. They are encouraged to say from the list of given activities what they would like to play with which does not fully develop their skills of curiosity and creativity. Children confidently approach staff for help to put aprons on and to get the computer working. As children mark make in the writing area they say to staff 'look we are sharing these stampers'. At review time they talk to the 'good fairy' on the mobile about what they have been playing with. They begin to problem solve as they sing number songs such as 'Five men in a flying saucer'. They gain a sense of responsibility as they sweep the sand up after playing with it. At circle time they talk about what they had for evening meal the night before and about how their dog is grumpy in the morning. Children are beginning to form letters as they have

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and outcomes for children

written captions for their wall display on the vegetable patch. They have decided what plants need to grow and have planted sunflower seeds and tomatoes. They look after the large snail so beginning to be aware about caring for living things.

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and outcomes for children

Children take part in charity events, such as a sponsored car wash and a sponsored big toddle to gain an understanding of others and the wider world. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Throughout the nursery children develop a good understanding of a healthy lifestyle as they eat nutritious snacks such as fruit and toast and have home made meals from a platinum award winning caterer. The nursery also hold the platinum award for healthy eating. Staff and children talk about the importance of hand washing as they wash their hands prior to eating. The newly developed outdoor area provides opportunities for children to be active. They balance on the balancing equipment, push the wheel barrows around and slide down the slides. They spontaneously jump on the stepping stones, pedal the trikes and scoot on the scooters. They develop their knowledge of their local community as they go for

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and outcomes for children

walks to local park and the library. 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 2 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 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 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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