Wetherby-Pembridge Minors (Notting Hill)

The Minors Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

The Minors Nursery School

Unique Reference Number EY295790 Inspection date 09 December 2005 Inspector Marcia Robinson

p.1

The Minors Nursery School

Setting Address Lower Floor, 10 Pembridge Square, London, W2 4ED

p.1

The Minors Nursery School

Telephone number 020 7727 7253(Mob) 077 6967 8775

p.1

E-mail

Registered person Alpha Plus Group Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Sessional care

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The Minors Nursery School has been registered since 2004. It operates from a converted flat and children have access to four play rooms and a fully enclosed outside play area. The premises is close to Notting Hill Gate tube station, local shops, parks and schools. There are currently 86 children on roll. A maximum of 50 children aged between 2 and 5 years attend at any one time. The setting supports children with special educational needs and children whose first language is not English.

p.2

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 The setting operates two sessions, five days a week between the hours of 09:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00. The manager holds a Montessori teaching qualification. Nine staff are employed and suitably qualified to work directly with the children.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted as staff implement effective hygiene procedures to minimise the risk of infection across the provision. For example, there is a good compliment of staff who are first aid trained and the procedures for sick children, recording accidents and administering medicine are effective. This ensures children's health care needs are being met. Children receive good support to develop good personal hygiene; for example, they independently wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating snacks. Children are developing well physically because they have daily opportunities to climb, balance and slide on outdoor play equipment in the garden. They also enjoy indoor physical activities where staff carefully introduce jumping and stretching as part of a group time session. Children receive a range of healthy snacks including bread and fruit encouraging them to develop healthy eating practices. Children's drink intake is effectively

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

monitored because staff leave jugs of water on low-level tables in the playrooms which ensures children's self-help skills are promoted.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move freely and safely around the well organised environment where staff are welcoming towards children and parents. Children have access to a range of excellent good quality resources, that suits the needs of the children attending and promotes their all round developmental needs. Activities are laid out for the children and there is a system so that children can choose other toys, resources and activities that are stored on low open plan shelves. Children’s safety is maintained well because staff are vigilant and they carry out regular risk assessments to help towards reducing hazards. Staff show a good awareness of safety issues. They implement daily safety checks across the nursery. For example, staff check the garden before children go out to play to ensure that all areas of the premises meet with safety requirements. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised in the well-designed building which has effective security

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

precautions in place, such as a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) monitor. Children's welfare in the event of child protection concerns is good. This is because

p.3

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 staff are knowledgeable of child protection concerns and the manager is clear about the procedures for reporting suspected abuse, which helps to support children's wellbeing.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children spend their time purposefully by engaging well in their play. Staff have a good understanding of how children learn and consequently provide an appropriate range of activities and resources to encourage progress in all areas of their development. Staff are however, developing their understanding of the Birth to three matters framework to support children's learning in their earliest years. Children are settled and relaxed in the setting. They move confidently from area to area exploring toys and play activities. Children select toys from a wide range of resources. Children are familiar with the play equipment and enjoy playing with it. For example, children play with imaginative play resources, large bricks, play dough, stickle bricks and they enjoy listening to stories and singing along to nursery rhymes and action songs. Children seen to have good relationships with each other and staff.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They arrive happy and confident and quickly settle into the routine of making their own choices about their play. Children's achievements are monitored well by staff because they use effective systems to plan and assess children's progress and development. For example, a key working system is used to ensure children's individual needs are being met and that they receive continuity of care. Staff use effective questioning techniques, particularly during small group activities to help children to think. This positive level of interaction and the implementation of a successful key worker system between children and staff helps develop meaningful relationships.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn to acknowledge and accept differences, this is well promoted by the many resources available, including indoor play equipment such as a mini wheelchair that reflects positive images of all aspects of society. Children's individual needs and growing self-esteem are met well by staff who know the children well and respect their differences. Children with special needs receive good support from staff who work closely with outside agencies to meet children's needs. Staff are secure in their understanding of the code of practice which means that they are able to meet and plan for children’s individual needs. Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement. Staff manage children's behaviour well using a range of positive strategies such as distraction and simple explanations that are consistently applied by staff and shared with parents. Good

p.4

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 organisation and clear boundaries amongst the staff team mean children are well behaved, they listen and co-operate well with each other. For example, during free-play and group time sessions. Children benefit from positive relationships with their parents and staff. Parents receive information about the nursery setting and their policies and procedures. Parents settle their children into the nursery and children's individual needs are recorded. Parents are welcomed into the group and are encouraged to take part in activities. There is a key working system in place, regular open days and a good daily exchange of information for parents about their child's development and progress. Parents say that they are happy with the care provided and are positive about the level of communication and information available.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. Staff work well as a team and effective communication allows them to provide varied and stimulating activities for children to experience and learn. Staff deployment is good and ensures that children are well supervised at all times. The nursery is well organised and the operational plan is implemented effectively to successfully promote children's care, wellbeing and safety. The setting has rigorous procedures in place for appointing and vetting staff which ensures children are well protected and cared for by staff with appropriate qualifications, experience and attitudes. All the required documentation to promote the health and safety of children is available and confidentiality is well maintained. Children's needs are met well and all the relevant information is discussed with parents to ensure continuity of care. Staff are well supported through regular

p.5

Organisation

meetings and a commitment to training but they are yet to complete training in Birth to Three Matters to further enhance the play experiences they provide to younger children.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • develop staff's knowledge and understanding of the Birth to Three Matters framework to enhance the play experiences younger children have to enjoy and achieve.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6