Busy Bees Day Nursery at Swindon Peatmoor

Swindon, Peatmoor

Inspection report for early years provision

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Swindon, Peatmoor

Unique Reference Number 507993 Inspection date 09 February 2006 Inspector Karen Louise Prager / Charlotte Jenkin

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Swindon, Peatmoor

Setting Address Peatmoor Village Centre, Shearwood Road, Peatmoor, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 5DJ Telephone number 01793 887602

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E-mail

Registered person Leapfrog Day Nurseries Limited 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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Princess Christian Day Nursery opened in 1998. It operates from purpose-built premises at Shearwood Road, Peatmoor, Swindon. The two storey premises includes an entrance hall, office, kitchen, 10 childcare rooms, toilets and nappy change areas on each floor. Children are accommodated in groups according to age, with the under two's on the ground floor and older children on the first floor. There are enclosed outdoor play areas which have grass and hard surfaces. The nursery

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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 serves the local area. There are currently 65 children from 12 weeks to four years on roll. This includes 11 funded 3 year olds and 2 funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery supports children with special needs and those with English as an additional language. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round except Christmas and the New Year. Sessions are from 07:30 to 18:00. There are 17 staff who work with the children, in addition there is a manager and cook. Of these staff there are 12 who have early years qualifications and 4 who are on training programmes.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from illness as the premises are clean and well maintained. Staff protect children from infection, as they clean the nappy changing mat between use to prevent cross infection. Procedures are in place to ensure children suffering from an infection are excluded from the setting, to prevent the children from illness. Children are beginning to understand how to keep themselves healthy for example by washing their hands after using the toilet. However, there is not a consistent supply of hot water and the soap dispenser is not freely available to all children. Children’s dietary needs are met. The children benefit from a varied menu and freshly cooked meals, which they enjoy as part of the daily routine. Staff members discuss with parents the children’s individual dietary requirements prior to their first day at the setting. These are carefully recorded and accommodated. Children are able to

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Helping children to be healthy

access drinks throughout the day, though milk is not kept cool. The children's health may therefore be adversely effected. Children have short opportunities to play in the fresh air throughout the year, which aids their physical development and overall wellbeing. They use a variety of resources, such as wheeled toys, balls and a climbing frame enabling them to move in a variety of ways and promote their healthy development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from well maintained and welcoming premises. The premises are safe and secure, and procedures are in place to ensure children cannot leave unsupervised. There are suitable arrangements to enable children to play in the garden safely as staff are always present with the children. Children benefit from well

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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 maintained and welcoming premises. Precautions are taken within the premises to safeguard children; fire procedures are well displayed and extinguishers regularly checked for suitability. Children play with a range of resources and play materials which are generally in good condition, however books are in a poor condition in most areas of the nursery. Older children are encouraged to keep themselves safe in the nursery with staff explaining the consequence of their actions. Children are protected from harm as staff have a general understanding of child protection. This enables them to follow the necessary procedures should they have any concerns 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 broadly content and settled in the setting. The environment is calm with a welcoming atmosphere to parents and children. Children are developing social skills as they play along side and with other children. A range of activities are planned for the children and set out by staff members at intervals throughout the day. However, the lack of free choice limits children’s independence and the opportunity to build on their natural curiosity. Activities of the younger children, such as exploring mirrors or making valentine's day cards are planned using the Birth to three matters framework. However, activities do not always offer sufficient challenges to fully promote their learning. Nursery education The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. Staff have a growing understanding of the Foundation Stage and knowledge of how children learn. Planning is in place with links to the Foundation Stage guidance and offers a suitable

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

range of activities for the children. A balance of planned activities and free play enables the children to progress satisfactorily towards the early learning goals. Children’s progress is recorded, though not consistently. Children have access to physical activities daily. They go outside and are able to use a suitable range of toys that help develop their physical skills. They are able to move in different ways with increasing confidence and ability. Children participate in activities which require fine motor skills such as construction kits and dough, enabling them to make acceptable progress. Children have limited provision for developing their creative skills. Regular activities are planned by staff but these leave little room for free expression. Children are learning to count up to five reliably and complete puzzles. They are able to sort objects according to properties and explore quantity and weight with the scales. Children are learning that print caries meaning and more

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

able children are beginning to form recognisable letters. Children show an interest in books, selecting them, holding and turning their pages whilst looking at the letters in them. Children show an interest in building and constructing. They are able to talk about past experiences and show curiosity, for example by asking why is the box

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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 hot?.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Staff know children quite well and are able to support them throughout the day. All children are included in activities and are respected by staff. Staff have an understanding of the need to support all children and use of the outside agencies offering support if required. Children are able to access some resources reflecting our wider society. They enjoy learning about a variety of celebrations such as Chinese New Year, through craft work and discussion. Children manage their own behaviour appropriately and begin to learn to understand that their actions affect others. Age appropriate techniques are used to manage children’s behaviour and regular praise is offered. The quality of the partnership with parents and carers is satisfactory. Parents feedback is positive and parents state they are happy with the nursery. Parents receive suitable information regarding the activities and information about Birth to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

three matters framework and the Foundation Stage through newsletters, notice boards and discussions with the staff. However, other information such as staff roles and responsibilities is not always kept up to date and available to parents. Parents are informed at intervals about their child’s progress though do not currently contribute their own assessments and as a result children’s individual areas for development are not fully identified and supported.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children’s wellbeing and education is supported by a management team and staff who have appropriate early years qualifications and experience in caring for young children. Generally effective systems are in place for recording the attendance of children, staff and visitors which has a positive impact on promoting children’s welfare. Children’s needs are met through generally effective organisation. Appropriate adult to child ratios are maintained enabling staff to offer suitable support to children. All required documentation is maintained for the care of the children. Appropriate policies and procedures are in place and all staff are encouraged to read them and put them in to practice. The quality of leadership and management of the nursery education is satisfactory. Staff are generally committed to improving the practice at the nursery and take opportunities to attend further training. However, management is not fully proactive

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Organisation

which limits this improvement. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a number of actions were raised relating to the care of children. To ensure that all staff, including management implement policies and procedures so that children's health, safety, wellbeing and development are effectively promoted. All staff have been made aware of the policies with regards to the welfare of the children’s health, safety and wellbeing. The local child protection guidance is now being followed and co-ordinators have been put into place. To review the organisation of the daily routine and staff deployment to ensure children are supported by a consistent staffing group. The staff group has been re-organised and permanent members of staff have been placed in specific rooms. Children are now more purposefully occupied and do not sit for such extended periods. All the rooms have been organised and permanent members of staff have been placed. Daily routines have been modified so that the needs of the children are

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Improvements since the last inspection

met through child/adult initiated play. Throughout the day children are generally well occupied and engaged in various activities. To plan and provide a suitable range of activities for children, which are appropriate for their stage of development and based on their individual needs the local authority plans. Observation records have been adopted and are now being used by staff to provide activities more relevant to the children’s age and stage of development. To provide a suitable range of equipment, including resources to promote diversity, to meet the developmental needs of children from 0 to under 8 years additional resources have been purchased and are available to the children. To ensure that equipment is safe and children are well supervised at all times ratios are now maintained throughout the nursery. The safety of equipment is checked when children use it. To ensure the premises and equipment are clean and that staff follow hygienic

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Improvements since the last inspection

procedures when changing nappies all the rooms have a cleaning schedule which is generally maintained and nappy changing procedures are well followed. To ensure children have free access to drinking water at all times all base rooms now have water suitably available to children throughout the day although milk that is freely available is not kept cool. To ensure that the nursery has regard to the Code of Practice for the identification and assessment of Special Educational Needs a co-ordinator is in place and staff have had basic training in special needs. Recommendations were raised regarding staff knowledge and implementation of the Foundation Stage and the partnership with parents with regard to their children’s education. Satisfactory progress has been made. All the staff have attended training for planning and the Foundation Stage. The local authority systems for evaluating and observing the children's progress and planning activities have been adopted. A system has

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Improvements since the last inspection

been devised and implemented to ensure all areas of development have been

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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 sufficiently met and observed. Staff have been regularly updating their child observation records, which have enabled them to begin to plan for individual needs. The partnership with parents has improved as the Foundation Stage has been highlighted for parents using display boards and a parents evening. Handouts are available for parents to take home. The improved organisation and staff awareness results in children’s health, safety, enjoyment and achievement being better promoted.

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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 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 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): • develop interesting and varied activities that are appropriate for the children's individual needs • update information available to parents about the nursery • develop staff knowledge of nursery policies and procedures to include named co-ordinators • develop staff knowledge of childcare and education

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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 free choice for children, especially in creative activities and mark

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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 making • continue to encourage parents to share with staff what they know about their child to aid initial and ongoing assessments. Continue to develop opportunities for parents to become actively involved in their child's learning within the setting and at home • continue to improve staff's knowledge and understanding of the foundation stage and early learning goals and the different ways in which children learn. Continue to monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching • continue to improve planning and monitoring of the curriculum to ensure all areas are covered in sufficient detail. Continue to make regular observations and assessments of children's progress and use the information to plan for individual 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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