Conkers

Conkers

Inspection report for early years provision

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Conkers

Unique Reference Number EY296435 Inspection date 31 October 2005 Inspector Lesley Gadd

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Conkers

Setting Address Chestnut Tree Farm, The Heywood, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 5SZ

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Conkers

Telephone number 01379 644461 E-mail debbie@conkers4kids.co.uk Registered person Conkers4Kids LTD Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Full day care, Out of School care

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Conkers

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

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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.

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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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Conkers4kids operates from renovated farm buildings near Diss, in Norfolk. Children who attend come from the surrounding villages. There are two main playrooms and children have easy access to a fully enclosed outside play area. A maximum of 30 children may attend at anyone time. The setting is open Monday through to Friday throughout the year, from 8:00 until 19:00.There are currently 60 children aged from eight weeks to four years on roll, with four of

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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 these receiving funding for nursery education. The setting welcomes children with special needs or who speak English as an additional language. The setting employs twelve staff who work on a part time basis. Half the staff team hold suitable Early Years qualifications. Support is received from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and clean environment where staff follow suitable hygiene procedures to prevent the spread of infection. Children are beginning to develop positive hygiene habits through routines, for example washing hands before eating, and they discuss with staff the need to avoid licking their hands during cooking to prevent germs getting into the cake and making their tummies poorly. Children's well-being is considered, as appropriate measures are in place to respond when children have accidents or become ill. The setting holds parents' contact numbers and a first aid kit is readily available. Children’s health and growth is well promoted with the availability of a varied nutritious diet. The children enjoy a range of fruits and healthy snacks, for example rice cakes. They help themselves to a drink of water when needed, demonstrating their independence, and slurp vigorously to refresh themselves. Children's dietary

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Helping children to be healthy

requirements are discussed with parents before they start to attend, to ensure their individual needs are met. Through a healthy diet and opportunities to grow and harvest their own foods, for example beans and tomatoes, the children are starting to understand the importance of eating well. Children display a healthy range of emotions, for example a child squeals with delight when he reaches the top of the climb tower and calls to staff. Two younger children giggle and laugh loudly as they squeeze paint through their hands. All children enjoy regular outdoor activity to develop their physical skills and promote their good health. They have opportunities within the day to exercise and competently demonstrate their abilities to run slow and fast, jump and skip during songs about fireworks. Children ride bikes and manoeuvre well around others and climb competently during play, they roll hoops and throw balls. Children's sense of

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Helping children to be healthy

well-being is supported as they are able to sleep when needed in their own cots with their special comforters for reassurance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised by the setting as staff supervise them well indoors, outdoors and on outings. They have clear risk assessments in place, ensure an accurate register of children's attendance is held at all times and hold

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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 relevant insurance to maintain children's safety. Fire evacuation routines are displayed and the setting carries out periodic fire drills which fosters children’s understanding about safety matters. Children take opportunities to safely practise what they can do, for example, a child who is just stable on their feet concentrates intently, crawling up the platform to the tunnel and walking slowly down the steps, holding onto the rail, placing their feet carefully and rushing to repeat once they have mastered the skill. Staff are close at hand to support if needed. Children enjoy a welcoming environment within the premises, where they can hang their bags and display their art pictures, promoting a sense of belonging. Children are interested in the toys and confidently select from a range of well maintained

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

resources which are easily accessible in low-level storage units. Children select their own books and toys, demonstrating their independence. Children's welfare is promoted as the staff have attended training in child protection. Staff have some knowledge of signs and symptoms and know what procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child in their care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in a supportive and caring setting where children and staff enjoy warm relationships. Children separate well from parents and greet staff affectionately on arrival with a hug, displaying their confidence. Children gain a sense of value as staff get down to their level physically and make time to involve themselves in children's play, for example pretending to eat a slice of birthday cake prepared by a child in the play oven. All children eagerly join in with a broad range of developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities and demonstrate their developing skills well, for example, they show increasing physical control when cutting paper with scissors. Children play creatively when pushing paint around on paper and play imaginatively when they pretend to cook dinner for friends and drive tractors to the field along an imaginary road. All children enjoy the closeness of a cuddle and a book for a story with staff.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing skills in sharing as they wait patiently for their turn to stir the cooking mixture and show care for their friends as they fetch their favourite comforter blanket. Younger children enjoy a painting activity where they wriggle their toes and rub their hands together with relish, exploring this medium, and they enjoy the noise of musical instruments. Some everyday toys within the play area for younger children are not always age appropriate and staff lack confidence in implementing 'Birth to three matters' to continue to develop the richness of children's play. Nursery Education The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. Children are making sound progress towards the early learning goals, as staff have undertaken some training and senior staff have a developing knowledge of the foundation stage curriculum. The setting has developed a useful approach to supporting children's learning, where

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

they assess children's skills and plan a range of purposeful activities which are linked

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 to the six areas of learning. However, the information held on children's assessment records is not used effectively within planning and children do not always have sufficient and appropriate challenge to extend their thinking and understanding. Children show a sense of belonging and are interested and eager to learn. They take part in activities that capture their imagination, for example pretending to be a firework flying around the room. The children make friendships when they invite others to join in their play and develop their mathematical skills as they count the number of pumpkin seeds and discuss their size and shape with staff . Children speak with increasing confidence and show an interest in sounds and letters, for example, children quote alphabet letters in their name cards. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enjoy looking at books and are eager to try out pens and paper, marking with confidence. Children are developing an understanding of their natural environment and learn about farm animals, habitats and growth. They demonstrate confidently their skills in technology when using a touch button telephone and develop fully their physical skills when hurtling around the outdoor area on bikes and climbing on the large play equipment. They respond to music by swaying their bodies, displaying good rhythm, and enjoy a range of craft and art activities where they are able to creatively express themselves. Children engage readily in role play and find out what it is like to be a parent, when caring for a baby doll.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children receive a warm welcome and take part in the full range of activities, being supported by staff who are keen for all to make progress and develop their self-esteem. Children are generally well behaved and polite. Staff praise children to encourage acceptable behaviour and talk with the children about unacceptable behaviour to ensure they grasp a strong sense of right and wrong. Children share and take turns when playing games and respond appropriately to the staff. Children are beginning to develop their awareness and understanding of others, as the setting has started to increase the range of resources to reflect equality and celebrates a range of festivals from all faiths. This positive approach fosters children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The partnership with parents and carers is sound. All children benefit from the setting's strong commitment to value and include all families. During the initial

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Helping children make a positive contribution

enquiry stage families discuss their children’s care requirements with the staff, ensuring all children settle quickly as their individual care needs are met. Parents and staff throughout the setting have relaxed relationships where they exchange information effectively in the form of daily dairies and discussions at arrival and departure, to maintain the children’s well-being. Parents receive some information about the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage, through newsletters, however they have too few opportunities to review children’s assessment records with staff, which does not foster their continued interest and contribution to the children's learning and development. Parents comment positively about the setting, particularly that their children love attending

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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 and enjoy the outside facilities at the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's welfare is well supported as the setting uses effective recruitment procedures to ensure staff are suitably checked and senior staff hold appropriate qualifications. Children are settled and secure, however staff, resources and use of internal space are not always organised effectively to support children in enjoying sustained play opportunities to enhance their learning. A range of detailed written records, policies and procedures are easily available to guide staff, however these are not all up to date to ensure they reflect current National Standards and provide reassurance to parents. Leadership and management are satisfactory. Children benefit from the setting's clear aims and a developing partnership within the staff team to ensure the children receive a good quality service. Overall the range of children's needs are met and the setting is starting to evaluate and improve the children's care and education with the

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints relating to the National Standards.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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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):

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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 • improve organisation of staff, resources and internal play space to ensure they are effective in supporting sustainable play for all children and update documentation to ensure it fully complies with current National Standards • continue with plans to develop staff's knowledge of 'Birth to three matters' to further enrich younger children's play.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve links between children's assessment records and planning to ensure children enjoy appropriate and sufficient challenge to meet their individual learning needs • improve opportunities for parents to be further involved with their children's learning.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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

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