Castle View Private Day Nursery

Castle View Private Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 314076 Inspection date 03/03/2010 Inspector Lynne Pope

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Setting address Blind Lane, Chester le Street, Durham, DH3 4AF

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Telephone number 0191 3881118 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

Castle View Nursery opened in 1997 and is run by an individual. It has extensive grounds and operates from seven rooms within a modernised building in the Chester-le-Street area of County Durham. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm for 52 weeks of the year. They are registered on the Early Years, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Registers for a maximum of 112 children at any one time. There are currently 201 children from birth to four years on roll. The nursery employs 35 staff, of these, 32 hold an appropriate early years qualification.

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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 staff's excellent knowledge of each child's individual needs ensures that all aspects of children's welfare and learning are promoted with success. Staff are highly motivated and they ensure that the service is open and accessible to all. Children are cared for in a very safe and secure environment and all necessary records are in place to meet requirements. The leadership and management is outstanding with a strong capacity for sustained improvement. The highly effective partnership with parents and other professionals ensures that they communicate well to put the children's needs first.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the planning further, so that it identifies planning for the individual child.

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the early years provision

Utmost priority is given to children's welfare. Staff have a good understanding of policies and procedures, which are regularly reviewed and implemented well. In particular, they have a clear understanding of the action to be taken to safeguard children from harm. Robust procedures ensure that new staff are suitable for their role and have more than adequate qualifications. Induction procedures, ongoing supervisions and appraisals, where staff performance is reviewed and any training needs are identified, contribute towards staff remaining suitable. They are deployed very effectively throughout the provision with thorough measures taken to cover staff absence. Staff are very enthusiastic and clearly enjoy working in the provision.

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the early years provision

Recommendations raised at the previous inspection have all been met. There is a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 very strong commitment to self-evaluation of practice which enhances all aspects of the provision. Staff continually carry out rigorous monitoring of how the setting is operating, and put in place exceptionally well-targeted plans to continually improve. The management has high expectations of staff, who in turn, reciprocate by evaluating their own practice. For example, when an area for improvement is identified in a room the staff meet in their own time to discuss how this can be changed. Children are cared for in very clean and well maintained premises. Possible hazards for them have been identified through a clearly written record of risks for indoors, outdoors and any outings that children go on. Photographs of children's activities and their artwork are prominently displayed throughout.

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the early years provision

Resources are well organised into areas of play in each playroom, such as craft, construction and imaginative play. Staff continually review the environment to ensure that resources are interesting and attractive for children. For example, they follow children's interests and provide appropriate resources that match this. This results in children being able to explore and stretch their capabilities.

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the early years provision

Excellent relationships have been developed with parents that are highly beneficial to the continuity of high-quality care that the children receive. Parents feel very welcome, comfortable and valued as an expert on their child. Information about their child is shared daily. A written record of a baby’s physical day is shared to keep them informed of such things as nappy changes or sleep patterns. Staff ensure that all children are fully integrated into the setting. This is done through assessing their starting points very effectively while working closely with the parent. Where needed, staff update their skills to help a specific child's needs. For example, they learn sign language to ensure that the children receive a high level of support. There is an open-door policy in the provision where parents can talk to staff at any time and raise any concerns they may have. Annual quality questionnaires are completed by parents which enable staff to take into account

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the early years provision

parents' views of the provision. For example, staff are currently working on ways to communicate with parents through email. Parents that I spoke to during the inspection enthusiastically stated they were very happy with the standard of care and learning that their child receives. Successful procedures are in place for the setting to liaise with other agencies that are involved with children and with other provisions that a child might attend. This includes robust procedures to link with local schools that the eldest children will attend to enable a smooth transition.

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and outcomes for children

Children make significant gains in their learning and development due to the extremely effective organisation and knowledge of staff. Settling-in visits are offered to new children, and parents complete a record of their child's needs. Using this information staff observe the child as they settle, which gives them an excellent basis to start planning for the child's development needs. Activities are clearly based on children's interests. As staff observe the children they note their interests and then incorporate them into the following week's plans. This is evaluated during the week and shows further interests that children develop. Parents are encouraged to share their child's interests either verbally or in written form. Plans are currently based on the groups of children in each room and do not This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 detail what the expected outcome will be for the individual child. Children's

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and outcomes for children

development is recorded in individual files which clearly show how they are making progress against the learning outcomes. These records are supported by photographs and written observations of children's activities. Parents can access this file at any time which helps them to continue their child's learning at home.

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and outcomes for children

Children from a very young age show high levels of achievement. Babies develop confidence as they explore their spacious playroom. Older children show increasing independence as they choose what activities they would like to take part in and carry them out. Children's language is developing really well. Babies make sounds to gain the attention of their carer. Two to three year olds explain what they are doing, such as playing in the sand. Four year olds have fluent speech as they explain that they have a pet at home. There is strong focus on developing children's knowledge and understanding of the world. An outdoor coordinator has been appointed and she has worked closely with a landscape gardener. As a result, a nature trail has been developed which children enthusiastically explore. On their return they are full of excitement as they describe what they have found; such as wood lice and slugs. They learn how to care for other living things such as the two

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and outcomes for children

guinea pigs and take care of the vegetable patch. Appropriate outdoor clothing is provided and they dig, plant seeds and watch how they grow. Staff continually check with children about whether they want to remain outdoors or return inside, ensuring that they are fully involved in making decisions about where their activities take place. Additional support is provided for any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and the setting works in very close partnerships with other agencies to comprehensively meet the child's needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is promoted exceptionally well. Snacks and meals are freshly prepared on the premises by the cook. She has an excellent knowledge of children's dietary requirements, as do all staff. A simple colour coding system, that reflects the type of dietary need, has been introduced which staff can check if unsure. Snack time is a pleasurable social event for those children that help to prepare it in the dining room. Children who are playing outdoors choose when they would like to access it and staff reinforce good hygiene practices by checking if they have washed their hands first. Staff who care for young babies work closely with parents following the routines that they have at home such as any feeding practices that they may have adopted. Excellent steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection. Policies and guidance are shared with parents. Staff are very good role models. They have a calm, consistent attitude throughout the provision

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and outcomes for children

and a calm atmosphere is present. Children from a very young age begin to understand the boundaries that are set. This results in children being well behaved. Positive praise for all their efforts promotes their self-esteem and well- being very effectively. Children are cared for in a very safe environment. All visitors have to identify themselves and sign the visitors' record. Timely reminders from staff help children to learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they practise emergency evacuations and staff remind them not to climb on furniture in case they should fall. 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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