Bay Leadership Academy

Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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Centre

Unique Reference Number 144646 Inspection date 14 March 2006 Inspector Moreen Johnson

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Centre

Setting Address 76 Shacklewell Lane, London, E8 2EY

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Centre

Telephone number 020 7923 7754 E-mail margaret.norwood@lineone.net Registered person The Bath House Children's Community Centre Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Full day care, Out of School care

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Centre

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 Bath House Children's Community Centre registered in 1997. The group is run by a board of trustees. The centre provides full day care, after school care and a holiday play scheme facilities. The provision operates from a single-storey building in the London borough of Hackney and have access to four group rooms and a fully enclosed outside play areas. The centre opens five days per week. The nursery operates from 08:30 to 18:15, for 48 weeks of the year. The after school club

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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 operates from 15:30 to 18:00, term time only; and the play scheme operates during school holidays. The centre serves children and families from the local area. There are currently 70 children aged from 18 months to 7 years on roll. Of these, 27 children receive funding for nursery education. The centre currently supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language; it also supports a small number of children with special needs. The centre employs 19 staff; most staff, including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications. Five staff members are currently working towards the NVQ level 3. The setting receives support from Hackney's advisory teacher.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene through well organised routines. They always wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet and many children asked for help to wash their hands after doing a painting activity. Effective health and safety procedures are in place and staff maintain good standards of hygiene throughout the premises by cleaning up after activities and by following good nappy changing procedures. Children are well protected from infection because there are good written policies which are well implemented by staff. Children benefit from a healthy diet. Staff promote healthy eating well by offering children a healthy, balanced and varied diet. Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of their needs with regards to food, older children are developing good self help skills by making their own snack. Children have access to water throughout

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Helping children to be healthy

the day. Special dietary requirements are complied with. This ensures children remain healthy. Children have good opportunities to engage in variety of physical play experiences. They have daily opportunities for outdoor play and they engage in energetic play, running, climbing, peddling, kicking and balancing. Children show good control and co-ordination whilst using the climbing frame in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, bright and comfortable environment. The good organisation of toys and equipment means children can move around safely to independently access available resources, which are positioned appropriately at children's height. Children enjoy playing with a wide range of good quality activities which help them to progress in all areas of their development. On the day of

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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 inspection part of the heating system was not working, good contingency plans were made to ensure that an adequate temperature was maintained. Children are cared for in a safe environment. There is a good security system in place for the safe arrival and departure of children and to protect children from intruders. Children are kept safe when they are asleep because staff provide effective supervision. However, several children are put to sleep in their buggies, which does not provide them with a comfortable means of sleeping for long periods. Children are kept safe whilst moving around the nursery because staff are well deployed and provide children with good supervision. There are effective procedures for carrying out risk assessments to protect children from potential hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected by staff who have a clear understanding of how to implement the settings child protection policies, which are in line with the Pan London guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children receive good care and are well settled in the nursery. Staff have a good understanding of the Birth to Three Matters and link it well to activities, which results in children's needs being met well. Children have good relationships with staff, who interact with them in an affectionate and supportive manner. This enables children to feel confident and reassured. Children move freely about the nursery and are developing independence, all children have good opportunity to choose freely from a wide range of resources. Children under 3 are also given regular opportunities to engage in outdoor play to develop their physical skills. Children have good opportunities to initiate their own play. Staff demonstrate good skills in striking a good balance between child- and adult-led activities, and are always on hand to encourage and support children. This makes children feel secure

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and increases their sense of wellbeing. Children's communication skills are effectively encouraged by staff. Children enjoy engaging in conversations, whilst playing in the home corner children enjoyed talking to each other. Staff consistently challenged children's thinking by asking them questions about what they were doing. Nursery Education The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children are making good progress towards all of the early learning goals. Staff have a secure knowledge and understanding of the Foundation Stage and use this knowledge to provide children with a stimulating learning environment. Staff have a good understanding of individual children's needs and have a clear understanding of how to help children to progress to the next stage of their learning. However, there are inconsistencies in the recording of observation and assessments carried out on children. Children are encouraged to be independent, they freely choose activities, confidently

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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 make their own snacks and pour their own drinks, and put on their coats before going out to play. Children have good relationships with each other and play happily together. Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of right and wrong, when staff invented to resolve disputes children responded positively. Staff have high expectations of children and give good explanations to them about why their behaviour is unacceptable. Children have good opportunities to explore, they show excitement and wonder when they used a wet sponge to wipe out the chalk markings that they made on the ground. Children are beginning to differentiate colours, at lunch time they ask for different coloured cups and they talk about the colours of their socks. Children are encouraged to be creative, they enjoy using a variety of arts and crafts materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children danced spontaneously whilst other children played the piano, they all showed great delight whilst doing so. Children have regular access to musical instruments during music and movement sessions. Children enjoyed role playing with the vehicles that they had made from cardboards boxes, they talked about being a fire man and a builder, other children enjoyed dressing up in clothes chosen from the dressing up box. Children are developing a good understanding of mathematical concepts, they confidently counted up to seven whilst participating in a matching game. Staff encouraged them to match a variety of the numbers to the items on the cards and the picture on the board. Children are developing a understanding of shapes as they complete complicated puzzles and construct and match coloured bricks. Children measure during the sand activity and are developing an understanding of volume as they pour water into their drinking cups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing a good understanding of the world around them and enjoy sharing their experiences, they talked about visiting a farm and about the animals that they saw. Many children talked about living in London, other talked about their streets. Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of themselves and families by doing theme on 'self and my family'. Children are developing a good understanding of the natural, they plant bulbs and watch them grow into flowers. Children are developing good writing skills, they drew complex pictures and draw with chalk on the ground during outdoor play; staff encouraged children to write the letters in each others' names and to draw around the plastic coat hanger. Children are developing a healthy interest in books, they chose books independently in the reading area and sat and read to each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show a sense of belonging when they share their experiences with each other. They are introduced to a variety of cultural traditions, which helps to develop a positive attitude and respect for others. However, there is a limited selection of resources that reflect diversity. Children's self-esteem is fostered well by staff giving them individual attention and encouraging them to be independent. Children are developing a good understanding of right and behave well. Children play

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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 harmoniously together and are encouraged to develop an appreciate music and dance. This positive approach fosters children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The partnership between parents and staff is good. This ensures children settle well. Children experience consistent care due to good communication systems between parents and staff, such as the informal sharing of information about children's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. There are effective recruitment procedures in place, which ensures that staff are appropriately vetted and qualified; unvetted staff are not left in sole charge of children. Staff work well together as a team and are deployed well to ensure that children are not placed at risk. All policies and procedures are in place and are implemented well by staff. However, children's attendance records do not record arrival times and one child was not marked in on arrival; one accidents record was not signed by a parent. Records on children and staff are securely locked away. Leadership and management of the nursery is good. There is a commitment to develop the provision and the manager has clear aims for the future. Staff have good knowledge of the Foundation Stage and use this knowledge to effectively plan activities. Staff are supported in their work through regular staff meetings. Overall, the

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Organisation

setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom they provides care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 one complaint has been made against the provider. The complaint related to National Standards 2 and 12 regarding lack of proper supervision. Ofsted carried out an announced investigation on 16/05/2005. No evidence was found that the national standards had been breached. However, the provider was advised to carry out risk assessment and to review procedures regarding collection and escorting children and to make the complaint procedure easily accessible for parents. The provider remains qualified for registration. 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • increase resources that reflect diversity • maintain up to date written documentation of the children's daily attendance register with all details of arrival times and ensue that parents sign all accidents records • review sleeping arrangements for children under two years to ensure that they are provided with a comfortable means of resting

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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): • ensure consistencies with regards to the recording of observations and assessment on 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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