Lilliput Farm Day Nursery

Lilliput Farm Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 205226 Inspection date 15/04/2010 Inspector Rebecca Johnson

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Setting address 1 Dunhampton Farm Cottage, Dunhampton, Nr Stourport, Worcs, DY13 9SW Telephone number 01905 620708 Email 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 . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as

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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

Lilliput Farm Day Nursery opened in 1993. It operates from four rooms in a detached property in Dunhampton near Ombersley, Worcestershire and is privately owned and managed.

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Description of the setting

A maximum of 36 children may attend the nursery at any one time. It is open each weekday from 8:00am to 6:00pm for 51 weeks of the year. It closes for one week over the Christmas holiday period. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area which includes a separately fenced pond and conservation area.

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Description of the setting

The setting is registered to care for 36 children in the Early years age range. There are currently 85 children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions. The setting is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the childcare register.

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Description of the setting

The setting employs 15 members of staff 13 of whom hold an appropriate Earl years qualification. The setting is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance and the National Day Nurseries Association. The nursery is an active member of a local nursery education support group and has close links with the nearby Sytchampton Endowed First School where it's out-of-school club is also based.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The setting is beautifully located and has a wonderful ethos which provides children with a homely and friendly child centred environment. Children are offered an excellent range of innovative learning experiences which capture their imagination and support their learning very effectively, ensuring they make excellent progress towards the early learning goals, given their age, ability and starting points. Practitioners are well qualified and totally committed to ensuring that the unique needs of each child are identified and met. Excellent partnerships with the parents and outside agencies have been developed. Practitioners have a clear vision for the future to ensure that continuous improvement is sustained.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing further the quality and improvement processes to monitor and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Practitioners are diligent in child protection matters and their in-depth knowledge and understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures ensures that children are fully safeguarded. Efficient systems are in place for managing the recruitment and retention of staff and to check their suitability. The premises are warm and welcoming. Risk assessments which cover all areas, equipment and outings enable children to safely enjoy a wealth of activities whilst developing their knowledge of using equipment safely and taking controlled risks. In-depth documentation enhances the excellent practice and ensures the safe and efficient management of the provision.

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the early years provision

Practitioners are dedicated, enthusiastic and work very well together to create a safe and totally child centred environment for all children. They are well qualified and high priority is given to developing their knowledge and expertise through training. The provider is passionate about the ethos of the setting and has clear values which are reflected within the daily routines and respected both by practitioners working at the setting and parents. She is totally committed to continuous improvement and the capacity for this is excellent. However, formal systems to monitor and evaluate the practice within the nursery and to include everyone working in the setting in this process are yet to be fully implemented. The effective deployment of practitioners and resources ensures that children are well supervised and supported at all times and enables them to safely and independently select activities for themselves. Equality and diversity is actively

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the early years provision

promoted within the setting to help children to develop an awareness of the society they live in. Children are valued as individuals and this is reflected in the respect they have both for themselves and their peers.

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the early years provision

Partnership working throughout the setting is exceptional. Parents are welcomed at any time and information is shared daily to develop consistency and trust between home and the setting. The use of notice boards informs parents of activities that children have enjoyed during the day and how these can be extended at home. Parent‟s comments are extremely positive. They state that they find the setting friendly, that practitioners are professional and that all children are treated as individuals. The setting works closely in partnerships with other agencies and professionals to ensure children's individual needs are fully supported.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to be active learners and are excited and motivated to take part in the activities provided for them. Every child is recognised as an individual in their own right and activities reflect this as they are encouraged to develop self-esteem and confidence in their own abilities. For example, the early morning session in the Pre-school room and the use of the soft play blocks to build houses aims to promote children's self help and thinking skills as they work This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 together to find solutions to a task. The general ethos is that the starting point of each child's education is what they can do not what they cannot do and this is used to support children to develop to their full potential.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making exceptionally good progress in all areas of learning and development with the support of experienced, dedicated and enthusiastic practitioners who provide a range of innovative and stimulating activities and fully understand children's development. Planning and assessment processes in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework have been implemented to ensure that all areas of learning and development are covered. Observation, comparing children's self portraits and children's personal choices are used to identify children's next steps and develop planning. This ensures that all children enjoy, achieve and move forward at a pace suitable to their individual needs.

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and outcomes for children

The nursery is totally child orientated and practitioners strive to ensure that children have fun and enjoy all aspects of their time in the setting. Babies and younger children delight in heuristic play and enjoy discovering new textures. They laugh excitedly as they throw and slide in rice crispies, make patterns in cornflour gloop and explore feely socks which have been filled with a variety of objects such as cotton wool, soap, dried pasta and beans. Older children learn basic skills such as cutting through innovative activities. For example they have grown grass from seed and take great delight in giving it a “hair cut”. Children work exceptionally well together to solve problems such as puzzles and proudly tell practitioners when they have completed them saying they have done a little bit each till it was finished. Children are encouraged to solve problems for themselves, for example, when trying to fit a carrot for the guinea pig through a smaller mesh hole and

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and outcomes for children

when thinking how a sticker which had come slightly away from the wall could be fixed.

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and outcomes for children

Outdoors is seen as an extension to leaning as children develop physical skills as they climb on a tractor, balance on logs and tyres or use equipment such as bikes, slides and climbing frames. Their enjoyment of outdoors is further enhanced as they feed the rabbits and guinea pigs or visit the farm to see the animals that live there. They are beginning to understand the importance of being healthy as they grow vegetables in the garden to eat for tea. They know that exercise is necessary to grow strong muscles and they learn how to brush their teeth properly with the aid of a large set of play teeth and a toothbrush.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is exemplary and practitioners have high expectations to develop and support this. They act as positive role models as they foster children's self esteem and offer praise and encouragement at all times. Children learn good manners as they say please and thank you appropriately, learn to share toys and to take turns. The setting is wholly inclusive and all children are integrated and included in activities. Children with additional needs are supported by experienced practitioners who work closely with other professionals to ensure that their needs are consistently met. Children learn about their own community and the wider world through a wide variety of activities and older children are able to use many different languages to say good morning, please and thank you. Children are beginning to understand about staying safe as they practise evacuation procedures and learn how to use equipment safely. The support and care they receive from

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 practitioners and the bonds they are forming with them enable children to feel secure and safe in their environment. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting‟s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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