Hetton Lyons Nursery School

Hetton Lyons Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Hetton Lyons Nursery School

Unique Reference Number EY291968 Inspection date 16 January 2006 Inspector Lynne Pope

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Hetton Lyons Nursery School

Setting Address Four Lane Ends, Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton le Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH5 0AH Telephone number 0191 553 6698

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E-mail

Registered person Hetton Lyons Nursery School Governors Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day care, Out of School 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

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

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

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Hetton Lyons Nursery School is run by the nursery school governors. It opened in 2005 and operates from a mobile classroom on the site of Hetton Lyons Primary School. It is situated in Hetton-le-Hole near Houghton-le-Spring. A maximum of 47 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08.00 until 18.00 for 52 weeks of the year. There are currently 86 children aged from 6-months to 8-years on roll. Children come from a large catchment area. The nursery supports children with special needs.

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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 The nursery employs 12 staff, 10 of the staff including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications. Two staff are working towards a recognised early years qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a clean, comfortable environment. They benefit from staff taking steps to prevent the spread of infection. For example, staff wear disposable gloves and aprons when changing nappies. Children learn the importance of good hygiene as they are reminded to wash their hands before snacks and lunch. Children are kept safe from the spread of infection by an effective sickness policy being in place. Appropriate consents and records are in place for the administration of medication and recording accidents. However, the record is not confidential and parent's signatures are not recorded to acknowledge that they have been informed that medication has been administered, compromising children's safety. Staff have a clear understanding of children's dietary needs. Their wellbeing is enhanced as they access a healthy diet. Meals are freshly prepared on site. Children

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Helping children to be healthy

that attend after school assist in the preparation of tea. However, older children's independence during lunch in term-time is not encouraged as there is limited discussion about what they are going to eat and whether they would like it. All children make good progress in their physical development through well-planned outdoor activities. Staff ensure that all children gain access outdoors on a daily basis, providing shelter when it rains. Children are enthusiastic as they explore the maze, make tracks in the sand with the diggers, play musical instruments and manage their bodies on the slide. Children are able to rest or be active as they need.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a well-organised environment. The playrooms are made welcoming with displays of children's art work and photographs of activities, giving them ownership of the environment and developing their self-esteem. The indoor and outdoor space is organised effectively enabling children to explore and take risks while being supervised. However, hazardous rubbish around the perimeter of the outdoor area is not cleared up before children gain access. Children over the age of 3 use an extensive range of safe, well-maintained toys and equipment suitable to their age and stage of their development. They support children's play really well. However, limited toys and equipment are set out for children under the age of 3 with the result that they do not develop independence when making choices about what they would like to do. Children are cared for in a secure environment and are well-protected by the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures in place. All visitors to the building are monitored. Fire drills are carried

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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 out with the children so that they are aware of the routine. Babies and young children sleep safely and are comfortable. They are frequently monitored. Children learn the importance of being safe on outings. Staff carry out risk assessments prior to the visit and talk to children about safety. Children are well-protected by staff that are confident and secure in their knowledge of child protection policies and procedures. They give priority to children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children experience a varied range of planned activities and spontaneous events which contribute to their development inside and outside the provision. Staff provide a calm, consistent environment where all children are happy and settled. Staff assess children's abilities with the child's parent or carer before they start to enable them to plan appropriate activities. A strong bond is developed with the child increasing their sense of well-being. They communicate easily with each other which helps children to enjoy and achieve. Their self-esteem is well developed as they receive regular praise for their efforts. They are motivated and interested in a broad range of developmentally appropriate activities which provide satisfactory levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children under the age of 3 have limited access to resources stored at their level. Therefore, their independence is not

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

developed to its full potential. Planned activities are well-organised for all children. For example, they enthusiastically join in dipping differently sized and textured balls into paint and rolling them across large sheets of paper. Staff allow children to develop the activity their way observing how it develops, interacting occasionally to encourage and extend children's learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a positive attitude towards others through planned activities and topics. There is a range of resources that reflect positive images for children. However, they are not available on a daily basis to help children value diversity. Their awareness of a wider world is raised as visitors visit the setting and outings are made in the local environment and further afield. For example, they have been introduced to African drums and different animals by visitors. They have had walks locally and visited the wildfowl park. Staff demonstrate a sound awareness of special needs issues. Good procedures are in place to identify children and to work alongside parents and other agencies. Staff are calm and consistent in their approach to behaviour management. They use timely interventions where they use distraction or clear instruction which protects the child. Positive behaviour is encouraged through

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Helping children make a positive contribution

praise. Children are well-behaved. Partnership with parents is good. Children benefit from a two-way sharing of information between staff and parents which enhances their learning. Parents receive a daily diary which informs them about all aspects of their child's day. Staff put

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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 together a monthly book that details photographic evidence of children's enjoyment while taking part in activities at the nursery. Children settle well as a result of staff working closely with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Effective recruitment procedures ensure that children are cared for by staff with knowledge and understanding of child development. The required policies and procedures are in place which supports the care of the children. All records are kept up to date. However, the medication record needs to be signed by the parent or carer. Organisation of the premises is good, allowing most children to select their own resources and take part safely. A good balance is maintained between physical exercise and rest periods. Staff plan around the Birth to three framework and the Foundation Stage, helping children to achieve well. They provide good levels of support enabling all children to participate in the activities. Children are cared for in a well-organised environment. Close monitoring of group sizes and staff deployment contributes to children's safety and enjoyment. Staff have

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Organisation

an understanding of policies and procedures. In most areas they work towards keeping children healthy and safeguard their welfare. Staff have attended relevant training and development to increase their understanding of good childcare. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children that attend.

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

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. 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

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 improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop independence for older children during lunch in term time giving them the opportunity to discuss what they are having so that they have choice • ensure that parents and carers sign the medication record acknowledging that medication has been administered and that the record is made confidentially • ensure that the outdoor area is free from any possible hazards such as rubbish before children have access • ensure that children under the age of three years have access to a good range of resources that are stored at their level, therefore developing independence • ensure that all children have daily access to resources that give positive

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The quality and standards of the care

images of culture, disability, gender and religion.

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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

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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

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