Wise Owl Private Day Nursery Scunthorpe

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY309583 Inspection date 06 February 2006 Inspector Kathryn Margaret Clayton

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Setting Address 62 Old Brumby Street, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN16 2AW Telephone number 01724 330009 E-mail info@wiseowlnursery.co.uk Registered person Wise Owl Private Day Nursery Ltd. Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day care

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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?

Wise Owl Private Day Nursery first opened in July 2005. The nursery operates from a two-storey property situated on a small shopping parade in Scunthorpe. The facility is registered to provide care for 22 children aged from 0 to 5 years and currently has 25 children on roll. The nursery is open five days a week from 08:00 to 18:00, all year around apart from bank holidays. Babies are cared for in a first-floor playroom and older children have access to three play areas on the ground floor. There is a secure area to the rear of the property for outdoor play. The nursery employs six members of staff all of whom hold a relevant qualification. The setting receives the support of the local authority.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Babies and young children are well supported, comfortable and settled in the nursery. All children are generally active during the day. Babies enjoy suitable freedom of movement as they are sensitively encouraged, for example, when learning to walk. Children enjoy some time outdoors everyday where they have the opportunity to use suitable equipment such as a slide, bikes and a trampette. Children benefit and gain some understanding of healthy eating as the nursery provides mainly healthy snacks and teas. Some examples of food provided include spaghetti on toast, yogurt, raisins, crackers, fruit and bread sticks. Children's welfare is well promoted by having a staff member on duty at all times who has a current understanding of first aid procedures. Staff work very closely with parents to ensure children's dietary needs and allergies are taken into account at all times, therefore benefiting children and promoting inclusion. There are times when

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Helping children to be healthy

effective hygiene routines are not used, for example, when children wash their own hands or during nappy change routines. This means there is a greater risk to children's health by cross infection. Parents are not always asked to sign to acknowledge the accident record, and therefore there may be times when they are not fully informed.

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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 safe, attractive and welcoming environment. Their achievements are acknowledged in good quality displays throughout the nursery. Children's needs with regard to play, rest, and eating are well met within the setting. Older children benefit from being able to access various well-organised spaces, for messy play, role play, outdoor play and a general area. All children benefit from having access to a good range of toys, play materials and age appropriate equipment and furniture, for example, two comfortable sofas that are well-used and give the rooms a homely feel. Children's safety is given high priority within the setting. There is a comprehensive risk assessment of the premises in place and staff make sure they check all areas both indoors and outdoors before children attend each morning and after they leave. Children start to gain some understanding of their own safety as they are involved in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the evacuation of the premises on a regular basis. Older children are aware that things such as water on the playroom floor may be a hazard. Children remain safe because they are closely supervised. They are also given good opportunities to explore and start to learn about their own safe boundaries, for example, in the baby room, as babies start to walk around furniture.

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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 The provision is good. Children enjoy a well-organised routine throughout the day, therefore they are more likely to feel settled in the nursery. Babies have good exploratory experiences with sand, water, play dough and paint, for example. Staff are effective in meeting their individual care needs throughout the day and successfully use the Birth to three matters framework to enhance the care of the children who attend. Staff and children have the chance to develop close relationships as they work in small groups giving children stability and security. All children are interested and engaged in play at all times. They enjoy learning about how to share, for example, as they sing row, row, row the boat with a friend. They concentrate well and persevere for some time as they complete sticking pictures, play with sand, water and paint.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff challenge children effectively as they play, for example, to identify colours when they are painting. Many children are starting to become independent as they hang up their own aprons and go to the toilet themselves. The interaction with their carers is effective in helping children to learn. Staff introduce children to new words many times throughout the day, for example, when they are mixing play dough they are encouraged to name all of the of the utensils and ingredients that are used. Children enjoy their time at the setting, particularly quiet times with staff when they share stories, or as a group when they are involved in action rhymes and singing their favourite songs such as ba ba white sheep.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from being cared for in a mutually respectful atmosphere where their individual needs are given a high priority. Staff have an excellent understanding of individual children and treat them with equal concern according to their needs. The nursery is very effective in ensuring the positive inclusion of all children. Parents and children benefit from a very strong partnership. Parents are very well-informed about their child's time at the setting through a wide variety of systems. Should they choose to, parents are able to view what their child is doing during the day through using a 'web-cam' system. They receive regular reports about their children's progress and development as well as daily diaries and the opportunity to see their children's individual files. There is a wealth of information attractively displayed around the nursery. Parents views are actively sought through questionnaires, therefore allowing

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Helping children make a positive contribution

good feedback and ideas to enhance the care. Children behave very well. The very positive, friendly atmosphere established by approachable staff helps children to understand about acceptable behaviour. They start to learn about some aspects of the wider world through access to a broad range of resources reflecting positive images of diversity such as books, dolls, puzzles, role play equipment and taking part in the activities such as, celebrating Chinese New Year. Staff have a very clear understanding of how to support children with special needs and therefore they are more likely to progress well and develop good self-esteem.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a well-qualified staff who have a high regard for their well-being and work effectively as a team. They benefit because staff receive a clear induction and good support and development opportunities. Management make sure there are enough staff to work directly with the children at all times, and there are regular opportunities for meetings to plan and discuss ideas. The effective Key Person system means that staff use their time in the best interests of the children and therefore children receive a good level of individual attention. The records needed to ensure the smooth running of the setting are well-organised and readily available, although, children's hours of attendance are not always accurately recorded, and therefore a regulation is not met. However, overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who 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 complaint 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): • ensure staff and children use consistent and effective hygiene routines • ensure parents always sign to acknowledge the accident record • ensure children's hours of attendance are always accurately recorded.

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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 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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