Adventureland Day Nursery

Adventure Land Ltd Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY393237 Inspection date 21/01/2010 Inspector Karen Cooper

p.1

Setting address Unit 6, Coppice Lane, Aldridge, Walsall, West Midlands, WS9 9AA Telephone number 08453370039 Email m.mcdermott@btconnect.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 .

p.1

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

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the setting

Adventure Land Day Nursery opened in 2009. The setting is privately owned and is based within the Adventure Land Play Centre in Aldridge, Walsall. The nursery serves children and families from the local and surrounding areas. There is a fully enclosed area for outdoor play. The nursery is located at ground floor level.

p.4

Description of the setting

The nursery is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6.00pm all year round and is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. A maximum of 40 children may attend the nursery at any one time. There are currently 7 children aged from 18 months to 3 years on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and who speak English as an additional language.

p.4

Description of the setting

There are three members of staff employed to work with the children, all of whom hold a relevant early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. The nursery receives support from the local authority.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time at this welcoming nursery. They have formed good relationships with each other and staff and have access to a good variety of age- appropriate toys and resources which help them to make progress in their learning and development. Staff offer an inclusive service, supporting all children to actively participate in activities which meet their individual interests and developmental needs. The partnership with parents and links with other settings and support workers are developing well to help meet the needs of all children. Policies and procedures are shared with parents and are generally effective. The self-evaluation system is effective and staff demonstrate a positive attitude towards continuous improvement and improving outcomes for children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 improve the range of resources with regard to providing positive images of disability  review the record of risk assessment to ensure all hazards to children are minimised. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Robust vetting procedures are in place to ensure that children are cared for by suitable adults and staff have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding issues. Staff are aware of possible signs and symptoms of abuse and know the appropriate procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child in their care. Written risk assessments are carried out on the indoor and outdoor of the nursery. However, some hazards have not sufficiently been identified to ensure children’s safety is fully protected with particular regards to the chain used to operate the shutter, low-level sockets and trailing electrical leads. Staff have a good awareness of security and ensures children cannot leave the premises unsupervised. A finger print security system is fitted to the entrance door of the nursery and toilets and a security camera system is installed throughout the building. All visitors are requested to sign in and out of the nursery and there are

p.5

the early years provision

clear procedures to ensure children are collected only by authorised people. For example, passwords are used when necessary for extra protection.

p.5

the early years provision

Staff work well as a team and are enthusiastic and passionate about their roles in raising outcomes for children. All staff hold an appropriate early years qualification and have completed a range of training to ensure their knowledge and skills are updated. Staff consistently reflect and evaluate the quality of care and education provided and regular staff meetings provide opportunities to share good practice and to identify any training needs. Staff work closely with other staff within the Adventure Land Play Centre and have established good links with local and other providers to ensure the children’s individual needs are effectively promoted. Children are valued and staff foster positive links with children’s own culture and language, involving parents. Documentation is well organised and regularly reviewed to comply with requirements and is shared with parents.

p.5

the early years provision

Staff work in close partnership with parents and effective settling in procedures ensure children feel secure and happy to stay with trusted adults. Parents are provided with clear information about the nursery and their children’s progress through, for example, a prospectus, regular newsletters, children’s individual learning journeys and written policies and procedures. Parents speak highly of the staff and feel well informed regarding their children’s progress and development.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children benefit from an environment which is organised to help them increase their independence and autonomy because many of the toys and resources are placed at low-level in all rooms; as a result, children are motivated and interested to learn. Staff work well together to support the children's learning and development and provide a varied range of experiences across all areas of learning. They effectively plan for the learning needs of all the children and regular carry out observations and assessments of each child’s achievements, efforts and interests to identify learning priorities. Children are happy and settled and have This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 formed good relationships with each other and staff. They access to a wide variety of toys, resources and activities which enables them to make good progress in their learning and development. Staff provide a well balanced range of adult-led

p.5

and outcomes for children

and child-initiated activities covering all six areas of learning. The nursery is brightly decorated and children’s work displayed around the nursery encourages children to feel a sense of belonging. The ongoing two-way exchange of information between nursery and home has a positive impact upon children's welfare. Parents and carers are welcomed into the nursery by friendly, approachable staff and information about their child’s daily activities and routine is shared readily on a daily basis, both verbally and in writing.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to promote children's learning and development. They group children effectively and the key worker system enables the staff to get to know the children well. Staff obtain relevant information regarding children's starting points at registration to ensure they are able to build upon children’s existing skills. Staff manages children’s behaviour well and in a manner that is appropriate to each child’s age and stage of development. Praise is given freely to children, ensuring that they develop confidence and self-esteem and positive behaviour management strategies are used to encourage good behaviour. The nursery promotes inclusion for all children and children are helped to consider and value each others differences through discussion, a variety of toys, resources and planned activities. However, resources are limited with regards to promoting

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are keen to join in the activities, for example, they develop their physical and co-ordination skills as they attempt to pedal and push wheeled toys around the nursery. They have great fun joining in with action rhymes and moving their bodies to music when in the sensory room. They enjoy participating in craft activities, such as painting their hands and confidently kick balls to each other and staff when playing outdoors. Children enjoy using their imagination in role play. They concentrate well when listening to stories and eagerly join in with familiar nursery rhymes. Children are provided with plenty of opportunities to develop their early writing skills as there is a designated area set out daily for children to access crayons, pencils, paper and paint. Children have good opportunities to develop their understanding of technology through the use of a laptop and a range of programmable and electronic toys. Staff are skilled in talking to children,

p.6

and outcomes for children

responding well and listening to them. They ensure that children are engaged in the activities and ask them questions that extend their experiences and learning. For example, children develop basic problem solving skills as staff challenge them to recognise, compare, count and sort the cars to support their learning. Children also benefit from a range of activities outside the nursery, for example, they regularly use the large play facilities based within the centre, and they go for walks to the local shops. Staff plan these activities well, and use them effectively as opportunities to help develop children’s learning, physical and social skills.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are helped to understand that washing their hands before eating helps to keep them healthy. Through daily discussions and planned topics children are helped to understand why some foods are healthy and others are not. Mealtimes are relaxed social occasions when children and staff sit together to enjoy their food This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and each others company. Children are provided with freshly cooked food on a daily basis which is cooked on the premises. Two weekly menus are produced for parents to view. Fresh drinking water is freely available for children to access. Children are developing an understanding of how to stay safe and learn about what is dangerous, for example, staff use outings as a valuable opportunity to discuss road safety. Children learn about fire safety and know the procedure for evacuation in an emergency, which the staff ensures is regularly practiced with

p.6

and outcomes for children

them. The premises are clean and staff operate a ‘clean as you go’ policy throughout the day to ensure children’s health is protected. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.8

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

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9