The Avenue Nursery School

Avenue Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Avenue Nursery School

Unique Reference Number 507870 Inspection date 23 November 2005 Inspector Claire Sheldrake

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Avenue Nursery School

Setting Address 2 Hyde Park Avenue, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 6SL Telephone number 01278 663040

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E-mail

Registered person Christine Stevens Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Full day care

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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

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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 good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery opened in 1992 and operates from 2 rooms on the ground floor of the play leader's home. It is situated within a residential area close to the centre of North Petherton. A maximum of 10 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is currently open from 9.00 to 15.30 (extended hours to fulfil the need of some parents: 8.30-17.00) each weekday, term time only, and offers holiday care for 4 weeks during the summer holidays. All children share access to a secure enclosed

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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 outdoor play area. There are currently 21 children aged from 2 to under 5 years on roll. Of these, 18 children receive funding for nursery education. The nursery supports children who have been identified as having special educational needs. At present there are no children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs four staff; three of the staff, including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery has close links with the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have access to a wide range of fun activities contributing to their healthy growth and development. They learn about healthy eating through planned topics and cooking activities. Recently the group made vegetable soup and children were involved in the cutting and preparation of all the vegetables. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical movements and large muscle skills. They run around in the garden, pedal on bikes and tractors, and balance and push along the scooter. They negotiate small climbing equipment and manage steps to confidently go up and down the slides. The children are well co-ordinated and move carefully around the room, aware of their own space and that of others. Children are aware of clear hand washing routines and managing their own personal care. They ask for tissues to wipe their noses and use different bowls to wash their hands after different activities. They are aware off why they need to wash their hands

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Helping children to be healthy

before eating and say "it's to stop germs getting into our bodies". They are showing increasing control when dressing themselves, and are competently able to manage zips and poppers on their coats with ease. Children are offered a healthy snack during each session and delight in discussing the contents of their sandwiches at lunch time. Their dietary needs are met because staff work well with parents to ensure children's likes and dislikes are accommodated and respected. Children are able to experience play using a variety of materials and using a range of tools, however more opportunities are needed for children to experience these for themselves, whilst in a supervised environment; for example using scissors, cutting sellotape, using the hole punch.

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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 Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe environment. The play room is laid out with areas for children to access easily, these include a home corner, book corner and free play area. All the toys are kept in coloured coded toy boxes and are adequately stored around the room on shelves. These all appear to be in good condition and conform to safety standards. Staff ensure that hazards to children are minimised, with the use of a risk assessment. Children are not allowed to go into the kitchen area, other than for supervised activities, and regular tidying up routines, ensuring that toys on the floor are not tripped over. In the garden, a small step can be made safe with the use of mobile screens, and mats surrounding the large equipment may prevent some accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning about keeping safe by being aware of themselves. Children ask staff to help tie their shoe laces and say "it is so you don't fall". They respond to a whistle blown in the garden and all stop. One of the children said "you must go to a grown up when the whistle is blown". This is an early introduction to a fire drill and evacuation procedure. Fire doors and exits are clearly identifiable and are not obstructed. The children are making good relationships with staff members and other children in the group. They are sensitive to one another and play together well. The staff set clear and consistent boundaries for the children with reasonable expectations which are age appropriate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from a well resourced environment, where they are well behaved, occupied and interested in the activities available. This is apparent during the free play session, where children are confident about asking for particular toys, and playing together with one another. Children have access to books of differing sizes, they are familiar with turning pages and imitate the process of reading. Some are action books and require the children to participate, in looking through the faces. Activities set out on a main craft table, ensure children work together as a group. They carefully rip up pieces of tissue paper to scrunch up for their tree picture. They talk about its colour and size and how it feels. Two children negotiate helping each other by sharing the task. One to tear and one to scrunch, showing early co-operation skills. At circle time children join in with familiar rhymes and songs and play ring games.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They listen and respond with enjoyment and request their favourites. The staff interact well with the children, they listen and value what the children say, and talk about what they are doing.

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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 There are effective procedures for dealing with behaviour management at present, however not all the children are fully challenged, and at times individual needs are not sufficiently met. Nursery Education The quality of teaching and learning is good. The children are encouraged to take part in a range of activities to help them make sound progress towards the early learning goals. They play confidently and are aware of their surroundings and routines. Children are introduced to the written word, seeing labels on toy boxes around the room, and looking out for their name card on their place at snack and lunch time. They miss out on recognising their names on their work as only their initials are written, and there is little evidence of children being involved in activities which link

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

sounds and letters during either sessions. The children show an interest in numbers and counting and join in counting each other at circle time, they use mathematical language, such as shorter and longer, when discussing the length of the clowns hair. The children have access to a planned activity each day, these are well resourced and carefully organised. However, during this time children are not fully involved, they wait until the adult leads them or tells them what to do next. Children are not able to explore and experience for themselves, and learn about making their own choices and decisions. Therefore they are not developing individuality in what they are producing, or learning about free expression. Overall, children are making steady progress in all areas of learning. Individual developmental records are used to inform planning and children's individual progress and achievements are documented. There are inconsistencies here however, as

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

there is no place within this planning to show how the more able children, are being moved on to their next stages of development, at a time which is appropriate to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to learn about their local community, through planned activities, topics and outings. In their folders, the children have joined in with activities linked to the local annual fair and carnivals. They find out about different religious festivals by making lamps during Divali. The children show a good sense of belonging, they feel confident about where resources are kept within the play rooms and outdoor play areas, and are following the nursery routines. They feel part of a group at registration time, when everyone is welcomed, and are happy to listen to a story, and join in with songs and rhymes. They are confident to speak with in the group and show concern for a child who is away from nursery, sick.

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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 Children are learning about using good manners, they ask to leave the table after snacks and for help with items at lunchtime. Children are becoming increasingly independent in managing their own personal needs, for example using the toilet, hand washing and dressing themselves, doing up zips and buttons. Staff have good experience of dealing with special needs children, in supporting them to reach their full potential. Any concerns about a child are discussed with the parents and a plan is developed with the Special Education Needs Co-ordinator to best support the child. Partnerships with parents are good. Strong relationships and links are made with parents to keep them informed of their child's progress. Regular opportunities are made for liaising with parents to ensure children's needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision fosters children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children thrive within a small group, with good adult to child ratios. The group is run by three members of staff and a student, who work together well as a team. Staff are deployed well in the playroom and in the garden, to ensure children remain supervised and safe at all times. Children remain safe. All the children's records are kept appropriately and securely, but are accessible, if a parent is needed to be contacted. Staff complete a written daily diary which details the day's activities, and the staff involved. It is also a way of sharing information between the two adults who work in a job share position. This ensures consistency for the staff and the children. Leadership and management is good. There is a strong identity to the group and staff are confident about their roles and responsibilities. Staff are committed to the group and are encouraged to attend training. They are keen to liaise, and share ideas, with

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Organisation

other providers and at partnership meetings in the area. The setting have a method to monitor and evaluate their provision, however this is not meeting the needs of all the children in all their stages of development. The group are committed to the improvement of care and education for all children and are receptive to new ideas and training. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the provision implement staff appraisals and obtain written permission from parents, for children to use sun

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Improvements 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 protection. The provision now has an appraisal system in place for all staff. This ensures the staff are continuously monitored, developed and training opportunities are discussed. Written permission is sought from parents, for children to use sun protection. As a result children's skin is protected from potentially harmful rays.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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.

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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 good.

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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): • Ensure children are provided with more opportunities for free expression during creative activities.

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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 opportunities for children to link sounds and letters. • Monitor and evaluate the provision to meet the needs of all children.

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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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