Zig Zags

Zig Zags

Inspection report for early years provision

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Zig Zags

Unique Reference Number EY307289 Inspection date 05 May 2006 Inspector Marilyn Rosemary Peacock

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Zig Zags

Setting Address 38 Wellwood Road, Goodmayes, Ilford, Essex, IG3 8TU

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E-mail

Registered person Zig Zags 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?

Zig Zags day nursery opened in 2005 and operates from 3 rooms in a converted House. It is situated close to Goodmayes train station and King George hospital is a short walk away. A maximum of 47 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08:00 to 18:00 for 52 weeks of the year. The nursery offers extended hours of 07:00 to 19:00 to parents working for the National Health Service in the boroughs Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge or Havering. There are currently 14 children aged from 6 months to under 4 years on roll. The nursery supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language.

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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 five staff. All but one hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about simple health and hygiene practices as part of the daily routine. Children therefore know that they must wash their hands after using the bathroom and before they eat. Staff follow appropriate health and hygiene procedures when changing nappies and preparing children's meals. However, children's good health is compromised as individual children’s bottles are not always clearly labelled. Children are adequately protected should they have an accident as staff have a sound knowledge of first aid and this enables them to appropriately care for children if an accident occurred. They understand and implement the nursery accident policy well, such as, the completion of accident records. Parents give prior written consent for staff to administer medication which ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. However, children's full names are not always accurately

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Helping children to be healthy

recorded on medication forms. Children benefit from an appropriate healthy eating policy within the setting, they are provided with a variety of healthy meals and snacks which they enjoy. Children and babies receive drinks in good supply which ensures that they have sufficient opportunities to quench their thirst. Mealtimes are social occasions where staff and children sit together. Staff take into account children's individual preferences and dietary needs and plan accordingly. Children benefit from regular opportunities to go out in the fresh air, however the nursery do not implement adequate procedures to protect them from the sun. Children look forward to playing outdoors where they engage in physical activity in the fresh air. The use of bikes for peddling and small climbing frames to develop a good sense of control and coordination over their bodies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are bright and welcoming and children's work is displayed on the walls, making them feel valued. Indoor space is organised to meet the needs of the different age groups of children attending. Children use a wide range of safe and developmentally appropriate toys and resources. Low-level storage for toys and equipment in the rooms enables children to choose their play activities and means that they can access equipment independently. In the baby room adult-sized seating helps provide a comfortable and homely environment. Children are cared for in a sound, safe environment where many policies and procedures are in place to protect children. Management ensure that the risk assessments are rigorously completed in all areas, to identify and minimise all risks

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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 to children. However, management had not identified the risk of the rooms getting extremely hot in warm weather particularly in the babies sleep area. Children are protected because there are adequate measures in place to keep them protected from visitors and people not know to the nursery staff. Fire and emergency evacuation procedures are practised regularly helping to keep children safe in an emergency. The setting has devised an appropriate child protection policy which includes relevant vetting procedures for staff and students. However, the policy does not include procedures to be followed should there be an allegation against a member of staff. This omission could put children at risk if appropriate steps are not taken.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are generally happy and confident in the nursery. They enjoy a close, warm and supportive relationship with the staff that are sensitive to their individual needs. Babies 'snuggle in' whilst being bottle-fed and happily fall asleep in the key workers arms. They listen to musical tapes; explore bubbles blown from the bubble machine and paint using their fingers and feet. Staff plan a sufficient and varied range of activities for children. Written plans are basic and demonstrate the range of experiences children have at nursery. However, staff do not always fully explore what they want children to learn from an activity, consider how they present them or take into account the different ways young children learn and develop. This results in some opportunities being missed for younger children to explore their environment, make their own choices and become independent learners. The staff are using Birth to three matters to improve the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

outcomes for children but their knowledge of the framework is very limited. They have introduced some records to monitor children’s progress and to help them plan for children's individual learning but the implementation of this is also in very early stages. Overall, children are positive in their approach to learning. They show enthusiasm and become interested and involved in their play. They show motivation and they enjoy their time at the nursery. Their confidence is developing and their independence skills encouraged in some areas, for example, older children The staff use a reasonable range of teaching methods and have an appropriate understanding of how children learn and progress. They interact with them during play and use their skills to question children and introduce new vocabulary. Plans are in place to implement the Foundation Stage curriculum. Staff are due to attend training to help them plan and produce effective records of children's progress.

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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 The provision is satisfactory. Children’s self-image and self-esteem is positive, they feel valued and have a sense of belonging. Resources and activities contribute to this positive image and raise their awareness of their own culture and traditions and those of others. They celebrate birthdays, festivals and try foods from other parts of the world. Children's individual needs are identified through the initial home visit and are shared daily, either through the children's record books and diaries, or verbally with parents. However, children’s individual routines are compromised particularly at meal times when children that have fallen asleep in the carers’ arms are woken for their meal instead of laying them to rest in their cots. Children with specific health needs are well supported, which ensures they are able

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to take part in all aspects of nursery life. Staff maintain a dialogue with parents to ensure they are fully informed of children's changing needs. However, staff do not always keep a written record of this dialogue which could possibly compromise continuity of care. Children that have English as an additional language are well supported by staff that use the same first language. Books and posters promote community languages and provide positive images of the written word. Relationships between the children are good and they are learning agreed codes of behaviour. Staff set clear boundaries which they consistently apply. For example, behaviour such as hurting each others feelings is swiftly stopped and clear explanations are given as to why this is unacceptable. This effective behaviour management helps children to learn right from wrong and to understand the consequences of their actions. Staff give children gentle reminders to help children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

learn respect for each other and encourage them to ask politely for things. Continued unacceptable behaviour incidents are recorded, discussed with parents and strategies for improvement agreed. Staff and parents work sufficiently well together. Staff liaise continually with parents to ensure they are fully aware of the children’s changing needs. Information is shared verbally and in writing on a daily basis through the use of daily diaries. Parents access information regarding the setting through an appropriate set policies and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's needs are met through the generally effective organisation and most staff have a secure knowledge and understanding of current childcare practice. They are starting to work together as a team. The more confident staff take the lead and act as mentors for the newer staff. The newly appointed manager is in the process of developing monitoring processes to improve the care, play and learning experiences for children that attend. Overall, the setting 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 All required policies and procedures are in place and are currently being reviewed by the manger to ensure they contain all relevant information. The operational plan is also being updated as it lacks some elements. All the legally required documentation is in place and maintained in a confidential manner. However, an accurate record of the times children arrive and departure is not consistently maintained.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 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

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): • extend the child protection policy to include information on what will happen should there be an allegation against a member of staff. • make sure children are protected from the sun and that all rooms are maintained at a suitable temperature. • make sure children's medication consent forms contain all the required information. Ensure children's individual bottles are clearly labelled with the child's name. • continue to extend staff’s knowledge and understanding of how young children learn and develop to enable them to improve activities and experiences for the children that attend. • make sure children's individual care routines are maintained where possible. Keep an accurate record of children's individual care needs.

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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 effective systems are in place to monitor and review the strengths and weaknesses of the setting, planning, assessments, observations and the curriculum programme to improve the outcomes for children.

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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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