Scallywags Nursery

Scallywags Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Scallywags Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY281646 Inspection date 01 December 2005 Inspector Caroline Preston

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Scallywags Nursery

Setting Address 59 Suttons Lane, Hornchurch, Essex, RM12 6RL

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E-mail

Registered person Emma Louise Reynolds 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?

Scallywags Day Nursery opened in November 2002. It operates from a fully adapted two storey building in Hornchurch. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 07:45 to 18:30 all year except bank holidays. There are 26 children from 0 to 5 years on roll. There are 9 members of staff who work with the children, all who have qualifications

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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 to National vocational level 2 or 3.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Good daily routines ensure children understand the need for good personal hygiene. Good staff interaction during free play teaches children how to avoid passing on germs to others. Children who are infectious do not attend thus preventing the spread of contagious ailments. Staff know and understand how to protect children from infection. Parents give prior written consent to administer medication that ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. All staff hold a current first aid certificate. This means they can give appropriate care if there is an accident. Nutritious meals and snacks help children develop healthy eating habits from a young age. Staff gather all relevant information regarding diet and medical history. This ensures children's individual dietary needs are met. Fresh drinking water is available at all times and children confidently help themselves. This encourages children to

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Helping children to be healthy

think about their personal needs. Children enjoy regular physical exercise that contributes to keeping them healthy. Children demonstrate a good sense of space and move confidently during physical activities. Children's fine motor skills are developing well. They are competent when using the climbing frame and taking part in daily physical activities such as aerobics. Babies and toddlers are beginning to develop their own preferences and to make choices for themselves for example, playing with the sand and hand painting. Babies and toddlers learn to control their own bodies gaining skills appropriate to their stage of development. Babies receive warmth and affection. This supports their emotional well-being and gives them the confidence to explore new experiences. Staff monitor food intake and nappy changes to ensure babies feel secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a spacious well-organised environment. This allows them to move around safely and freely. Children use a wide range of good quality toys and resources appropriate for their age and stage of development for example, magnetic blocks, bean bags and mats. Children benefit from a range of safety measures for example, the provision of working fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. The security is effective and there are procedures for preventing unwanted visitors gaining access. An effective deployment of staff ensures the safety of children at all times. Regular fire drills help children become familiar with the procedures so they learn how to leave the premises safely and quickly. A risk assessment both indoors and out means that children can play, learn and explore

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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 without danger. There are effective systems in place for the arrival and departure of children. There are clear procedures for outings that ensure children's safety. Staff have a sound knowledge of child protection issues and know how to proceed if they have concerns about a child in their care. Very young children and babies can crawl and learn to walk in a child friendly environment for example, in the large playrooms. Babies and young children learn simple rules that help keep them safe when playing. There are sufficient cots and beds that allow children to rest and sleep in comfort.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Babies and young children gain much from being together. They learn to communicate and develop good relationships. Children under three explore and experiment through a good range of planned activities appropriate for their age and stage of development. Staff encourage children to express their feeling and thoughts. Good questioning and repeating children's responses encourages the use of language. Young children enjoy listening to stories and learn about the meaning of words through staff's expressive reading. Staff use the Birth to three matters framework to ensure activities for children under three are appropriate. Nursery Education. The quality of teaching and learning is good. Staff have a good understanding of the Curriculum for the foundation stage. They provide a stimulating environment and well planned activities making good use of resources for example, visits to the local library

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and park. Staff make regular observations and record achievements in children's profiles. This helps them plan for each child to ensure their learning and developmental needs are met. Staff offer good support for children with special educational needs. Good questioning techniques are used to stimulate thought and challenge children. Staff use lots of praise and encouragement to build children's confidence and self- esteem. They have high expectations of behaviour and teach children to respect each other and their environment. Children are well motivated and enjoy new challenges. They concentrate well at self-chosen activities. Children are very independent. They see to their personal needs such as visiting the toilet, undressing and dressing after aerobics. Children are confident, enjoy relationships and play an active part in their learning. Children speak confidently to peers and adults. They talk openly during circle time. They express

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their ideas and experiences using good vocabulary. Children are confident writers. They write during role play and enjoy writing their own names. They recognise and write letters correctly. Children enjoy books and handle them carefully. They spend time sharing books with friends. Children can link sounds and letters and their listening skills are good. Children learn how to use number in everyday situations and show that they understand size and shape.They use mathematical language and learn about addition and subtraction through practical activities. Children are confident when using information and technology for example, the computer. Children demonstrate good cutting and joining skills. They select and use appropriate

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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 materials to create collage and models. Children learn about cultures and beliefs through well-planned topic work such as Diwali, however there are too few opportunities to celebrate other festivals. Children learn about the environment for example, they are beginning to understand past and present. Children learn about machines and how they work for example, by visits to the local garages to observe how cars work. They use their senses to explore and describe experiences such as, when cooking. Children enjoy music and sing nursery rhymes for example, 'the wheels on the bus'. They express themselves creatively through a range of media for example, jelly and pasta. Children use their imaginations through role play for example, by the use of the large well built play house.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and play a full part in the nursery because staff value each child as an individual. Staff have a positive approach toward diversity. Children become aware of their own cultures and others through a range of resources and planned activities as they celebrate some festivals. There are good systems in place to support children with special needs. Behaviour management strategies are appropriate and help children understand right from wrong. This positive approach fosters children's social, moral, spiritual and cultural development. The partnership with parents of children who receive nursery education is good. Parents contribute to an initial assessment of their child. This ensures staff have a good knowledge of individual needs and achievements. This helps build on what children already know. Staff involve parents in their child's learning by giving suggestions regarding activities that can extend learning at home. Parents contribute

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to their child's assessment at parents evenings. Parents receive good information about Birth to three matters framework and Foundation Stage. Staff ensure all parents know how their child is progressing and developing. This sharing of information between parents and staff enhances children's learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care and learning is enhanced by the effective deployment of staff they are knowledgeable about the Foundation Stage curriculum and are experienced in working with pre-school aged children which impacts on the organisation of the group and the achievements children make. The documentation required for the safe and effective management of the setting is in place, this contributes to the welfare of the children. As a result, the setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. Detailed policies and procedures are implemented effectively to successfully promote children's care and well-being. However systems for recruitment do not require staff to undertake a health check. Leadership and management is good. Staff work well as a team and clear defined roles and responsibilities ensures the operational plan works in practice.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Management place high importance on training and provide very good support to staff, both informally on a daily basis and formally through individual meetings and appraisals. This helps ensure all staff contribute fully to the group and successfully promote positive outcomes for children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration Ofsted has received one complaint relating to standard 6: Safety. The complaint related to access to the setting via the front door being unlocked. We asked the provider to investigate and develop a risk assessment. The provider carried out a risk assessment to ensure that children cannot leave without a suitable adult or unwanted visitors gain entry. The provider remains qualified for registration. The provider has made a record of the complaint in their complaint record. 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): • develop systems to ensure that recruitment and vetting procedures are sufficiently robust.

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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 develop an understanding of diversity

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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 and the wider world.

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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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