The Croft Nursery Oakdale

First Steps Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY405332 Inspection date 26/04/2010 Inspector Bridget Copson

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Setting address 75 Oakdale Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 3LD

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Telephone number 07917832191 Email caroline.marks@firststepsatroko.co.uk 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

First Steps Day Nursery was registered at the current location in 2010, having been previously registered since 2007. The nursery is situated in converted church premises in Oakdale, on the outskirts of Poole. Children have access to a secure play area for outdoor play activities.

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Description of the setting

A maximum of 72 children under eight years may attend the nursery at any one time; of these, not more than 54 may be in the early years age group and of these, 18 may be under two years. The group is registered to receive funding for early years education and is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The nursery is open every weekday from 7.30am to 6pm, 51 weeks a year. The nursery also runs day camps within the building during school holidays within the same hours. There are currently 53 children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age group. The nursery cares for children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

The nursery employs seven staff, most of whom hold or are working towards appropriate early years qualifications.

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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

Children's individual needs are met with care and consistency through effective team work and successful links with parents and other settings children attend. Children are cared for with equal concern and their individuality is promoted within their respective playrooms. Children's learning is planned and promoted successfully, although there are fewer opportunities for them to learn to write purposefully and to develop an understanding of information and communication technology. Otherwise, children are making good progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage. The setting has made many improvements to the quality of provision since registering to further promote the Every Child Matters outcomes for children. However, systems for evaluating the provision are not fully successful in ensuring all areas of the provision are monitored to further promote continuous improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide children with more opportunities to write and mark-make for a purpose and to develop a better knowledge of information and communication technology  develop the self-evaluation system to ensure all aspects of the provision are monitored to promote further improvements to the quality of children's care and learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded by staff who have effective systems in place to assure their safety and well-being. Employment and vetting procedures are carried out to monitor staff suitability, with an induction programme to ensure all new staff are aware of the nursery's policies and procedures. Risk assessments, fire practices and daily routines maintain good standards of health and safety. In addition, staff have a clear knowledge and understanding of their child protection responsibilities and the procedures to follow in the event of any concerns to safeguard children.

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the early years provision

Staff work efficiently as a team to ensure the environment is warm and welcoming, activities are well-organised and children experience a smooth transition between activities. Consistent teams ensure younger children's individual care routines are met according to parents' wishes within the individual play rooms. Staff present as good role models in promoting positive attitudes and raising children's self-esteem through lots of encouragement and praise. Older children are developing an awareness of diversity through respecting others around them, exploring multi- cultural play provision and festivals, such as Diwali.

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the early years provision

The nursery has successful systems for monitoring and evaluating the quality of provision and to promote continuous improvement to the benefit of all children. This includes the beginnings of a self-evaluation record, activity evaluation, staff meetings and links with the local authority. As a result, staff are now implementing a more successful planning and assessment system to promote children's development and make more effective use of the space to meet children's needs.

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the early years provision

Staff have established good partnerships with parents and others involved in children's care and learning. Clear information is provided to parents to support them in making an informed choice. Parents provide staff with information regarding their child's needs, preferences and care routines to promote consistency. Parents are kept well-informed through notice boards, newsletters, daily feedback sheets, daily communication and planned consultation evenings. In addition, home journals keep parents informed and allow parents to contribute their wishes and views. Successful links are established with the other settings children attend to further promote their welfare and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a good balance of play provision and learning resources to support their areas of development, which are easily accessible to promote independent play. Staff have a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which they use to plan and promote children's learning and development successfully. Children's progress is monitored and assessed through weekly observations. These are recorded to reflect their achievements and progress within This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the six areas of learning, illustrated by photographs. This information is used to prioritise and plan children's next steps of learning each day to ensure experiences are purposeful. In addition, staff organise a balance of adult-led and free-play activities throughout the day, including regular outdoor play sessions. This includes time for quiet play and reflection and purposeful activities with challenge. Staff

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and outcomes for children

interact with interest and enthusiasm, creating an active and lively environment for older children and a calm and nurturing environment for younger ones.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settling in well. Babies demonstrate their sense of well- being through the warm and comfortable interactions with staff, and desire to explore and investigate. Older children focus for long periods on the activities which interest them and access new activities with excitement. Children behave well and are learning about positive attitudes through helping, sharing and taking turns. They are developing an awareness of the needs and feelings of others, for example, they comfort a new child who is crying after being left through gently stroking them. Children communicate confidently to express themselves; for example, babies point, smile, babble and shriek out to others around them. As they develop, children engage in discussions at group times to share their knowledge and news and join in singing with enthusiasm. Children enjoy books, and contribute elements of the story at group times. They have some opportunities

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and outcomes for children

to write and mark-make, but not always in meaningful situations to encourage writing for a purpose. Children are developing a good understanding of number, shape, size and position and use the correct descriptive language in their play. However, opportunities to learn about information and communication technology are limited. Children use their imaginations well in many free-play creative activities with paint, dough, collage materials, sand and water. They also role play, dress up, build with construction sets and play with small world toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure within the nursery. This is nurtured for babies and new children settling in to promote their sense of security. Children learn about keeping safe through fire drills, safe play rules, managing steps appropriately and learning how to use new equipment. Children are developing a good attitude to healthy lifestyles. They benefit from well-balanced meals which are freshly cooked on the premises, snacks of fresh fruits, breadsticks and rice cakes and access to their own drinks. Children's health is promoted through the provision of a clean and hygienic environment in which staff follow and promote good hygiene practices and routines. Children enjoy well-resourced outdoor play areas to promote their physical development, and to allow more active children to run freely. 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 3

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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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