New Beginnings

New Beginnings

Inspection report for early years provision

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New Beginnings

Unique Reference Number EY308317 Inspection date 30 January 2006 Inspector Lynne Pope

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New Beginnings

Setting Address Shakespeare Street, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR5 2JX

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E-mail

Registered person Southwick Primary School Type of inspection Childcare 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

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?

New Beginnings is run by the governors of Southwick Primary School. It opened in 2005 and operates from Austin House Children's Centre. It is situated in Southwick, Sunderland. A maximum of 22 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08.00 until 18.00 for 50 weeks of the year. There are currently 20 children aged from birth to 5 years on-roll. Children come from a large catchment area. The nursery employs six staff. Five of the staff, including the manager hold

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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 appropriate Early Years qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment. The majority of staff hold a first aid certificate ensuring the physical safety of children. Children learn the importance of good hygiene as they are reminded to wash their hands before snacks and lunchtime. Children are kept safe from the spread of infection through the sickness policy being shared with parents. Records are in place for the administration of medication and recording accidents. However, blanket consent is in place to administer prescription medication rather than individual consent each time a prescribed medication is required. Records for accidents and medication are not written confidentially. They are signed by staff, however, they are not signed by the parents to acknowledge that they have been informed to protect children's welfare. Staff have an understanding of children's dietary needs. Their wellbeing is promoted

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Helping children to be healthy

by accessing a healthy diet and regular drinks. They enjoy the positive experience at snacks and lunchtime as they sit together and chat to each other. Children have regular access to outdoor play activities. They either play outdoors or go on visits into the local environment. For example, young children visit the local market where they buy various fruits or vegetables. They then explore them using them to paint with or feel the different textures when they return to nursery. Staff do not plan outdoor activities, with the result that they are unable to ensure that children make good progress in their physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into a clean, bright environment. The playrooms are made welcoming with displays of children's artwork and photographs that depict activities. This gives children ownership of the environment and develops their self-esteem. The indoor environment is organised into areas of play with resources stored at child-height. Children under the age of two years safely enjoy themselves as they explore coloured sand, junk materials, treasure baskets and musical instruments. However, organisation of the daily routine for older children enables them to explore independently for only short periods of time, with the result that their independence is not promoted. Children are cared for in a secure environment and are well protected by the procedures in place. All visitors to the building are monitored. Fire drills are carried out with the children so that they are aware of the routine. Babies and young children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

sleep safely and are comfortable. They are frequently monitored. Children are taken on regular outings, however, staff are unaware of the procedure to follow should a child become lost. Staff have a satisfactory knowledge of child protection policies and

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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 procedures, and how they would put them into practise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Staff in the setting provide a calm environment where most children settle well. Positive relationships are being developed with children as staff help them to settle and talk to them about what they have been doing outside nursery. Staff help children to feel good about themselves by providing positive support through praise and rewards. Stickers are given to children that achieve tasks, such as eating all their lunch or progressing well with toilet training. Children in the baby room enjoy a stimulating environment that enables them to explore and make choices about what they do. Older children enjoy feeling the spaghetti in the water, painting and using the computer. Their routine is structured with a majority of adult-led activities, which gives them less time to explore and develop their independence. Staff plan around the Birth to three matters framework and curriculum guidance for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the foundation stage. Particular attention is paid to individual children's needs in the planning enabling staff to focus an activity at their level. They carry out regular observations of children to plan the next steps in learning. There is no planning for outdoor play activities to ensure that children are sufficiently challenged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are becoming aware of a wider society as they make trips into the local environment and celebrate different festivals. Some resources that reflect positive images to develop children's knowledge further are available, however, there are no books for children under two years and no reflections of disability for older children. Children feel a sense of belonging in the setting. They are learning to co-operate with each other as they play in the sand or water together. Staff have a calm, consistent manner with them. They praise and reward them for their efforts. They give appropriate guidance when behaviour is unacceptable. Children benefit from relationships which are developed between staff and parents. Information is sought on their child before they start, enhancing their time in the setting. Procedures inform parents about planning through detailed displays. Parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are kept regularly updated about their child's day through written records for children under two years old and verbal feedback for older children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children that attend. Effective recruitment procedures ensure that children are cared for by staff with knowledge and understanding of child development. The induction programme makes sure that

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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 staff are aware of how the nursery operates. However, procedures are not sufficiently monitored to ensure that all staff are secure in the procedures for lost children. Procedures ensure that there are supply staff to cover absences ensuring sufficient levels and continuity of care for children. Records are kept up-to-date, however, consent has not been sought to administer prescribed medication. Accident and medication records are not recorded confidentially and signed by parents to acknowledge that they have been informed. Organisation of the premises is satisfactory, however organisation of the routine does not allow all children to develop their independence fully. Staff have enhanced their knowledge of child development by attending Birth to three matters training. They have used the training

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Organisation

well to plan and provide opportunities based on individual children's needs.

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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • review the nursery routine for children aged over 2 years so that there is a good balance of adult led and child initiated activities • develop planning further to include outdoor play activities identifying what the learning outcomes are for children • develop resources further so that they reflect positive images, such as books for children under two years and reflections of disability for children over two years • ensure that parents give written consent for prescribed medication

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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 • ensure that records for medication and accidents are written confidentially and signed by the parent acknowledging that they have been informed about the entry • ensure that the induction procedure is robust enough so that all staff are fully aware of the policies and procedures, in particular the lost child procedure.

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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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