Kimbolton Nursery Group

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 21/09/2004 Inspector Name Dianne Andrews

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Kimbolton Nursery Group Setting Address St James C E School Kimbolton Leominster Herefordshire HR6 0HQ

p.1

REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Kimbolton Nursery Group 223547 1055842

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Kimbolton Nursery Group Address Kimbolton Leominster Herefordshire HR6 0HQ

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.1

ABOUT THE INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality and standard of day care in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and that the nursery education for funded three and four year old children is of an acceptable quality. Inspection of nursery education also identifies strengths and weaknesses so that providers can improve the quality of educational provision and help children to achieve the early learning goals (elgs) by the end of the Foundation Stage. This inspection report must be made available to all parents. If the setting has been inspected previously, an action plan will have been drawn up to tackle issues identified. This inspection, therefore, must also assess what progress has been made in the implementation of this plan.

p.2

Information about the setting

Kimbolton Nursery Group was founded in 1980 by a group of local parents who formed a committee. The group operates from three classrooms within St James CE Primary School in Kimbolton, close to the town of Leominster in Herefordshire. The children have the use of the school toilet facilities and there is an enclosed outdoor play area adjacent to the facility. The group serves the surrounding rural area and some families travel from parts of Leominster to the nursery. The nursery is registered for 16 children aged 3 to 5 years. They provide a full day care session each Monday from 09:15 to 15:15 and morning sessions on Tuesday to Friday from 09:15 to12:15 during term times. There are currently 17 children on roll; these are all in receipt of funded nursery education. There are three staff working with the children, two of whom hold recognised childcare qualifications.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Kimbolton Nursery provides good care for children. Staff provide a warm and caring environment, they are approachable and friendly. Staff training is given priority in order to enhance skills and personal development. Space, indoors and outdoors, is very well organised to suit the developmental and physical needs of the children. Documentation is generally well maintained, regularly reviewed and stored appropriately. Staff demonstrate a good awareness of health and safety issues. Effective procedures are in place to protect the children from the majority of potential hazards. The daily programme encourages children to be independent and practise good personal hygiene routines. Food provided is healthy and nutritious; the good health of children is promoted. Staff are aware of their role and responsibility to protect children in their care.

p.2

How good is the Day 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 There is a broad selection of stimulating activities planned to support children's development in all areas. Children are offered autonomy in their activities, while staff listen, respond effectively and use praise and encouragement to support their learning. Children are confident and well settled. Good relationships have been formed with staff and each other. The extensive range of resources available in the nursery provides innovative opportunities for all children. The nursery offers complete commitment to the integration and inclusion of children with special needs. Relationships with parents are very good. There are effective procedures to keep them well informed about the provision and daily events. Staff offer opportunities for

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

parents to be actively involved in their children's learning and development through parent's evenings, surveys, which are used to improve the service and regular dialogue opportunities.

p.3

What has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery has satisfactorily addressed the actions raised at the last inspection. The low glass within the provision is of a safety type; therefore it is safe for children to access areas where there is low glass. The procedures to ensure the safety of children when on outings and using transport provided by parents have been improved. All drivers’ documents are now requested and appropriate vetting is carried out on the drivers. The radiators within the setting have been turned down to improve children's safety, however as they are older type units they require fixed guards to ensure that children cannot access the heaters at any time.

p.3

What is being done well?

• Relationships with parents are very good. Parents are involved in their children's development and are encouraged to extend learning at home. • Staff treat children with respect and have high expectations of behaviour. They are calm and relaxed in their management of the children, offering frequent praise and encouragement to succeed. • Children are given choice in their activities and are supported by responsive staff who are available to scaffold and help children to develop their ideas. • The nursery is well organised and has an effective, well-documented, operational plan, which works in practice. There are comprehensive policies that are made available to parents and are reviewed regularly.

p.3

An aspect of outstanding practice:

The very effective organisation of the outdoor play space and resources creates an accessible and stimulating environment, where children's independent learning is valued, supported and encouraged. In particular children have innovative

p.3

An aspect of outstanding practice:

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 opportunities to explore and investigate using water and other natural materials.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• the daily attendance register • the safety of storage heaters within the nursery.

p.4

CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

All registered persons must comply with all conditions of registration included on his/her certificate of registration. As a result of this inspection conditions of registration have been imposed / varied / removed and a new certificate of registration will be issued.

p.4

by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Record details of children’s hours of attendance within the daily attendance register. 6 Provide guards to ensure that heaters are consistently inaccessible to children.

p.4

by the time of the next 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.4

How effective is the nursery education?

Kimbolton Nursery provides a welcoming and stimulating environment, where strong relationships and effective teaching help the children make very good progress through the stepping stones towards the early learning goals. The outdoor play area is used very well, not only for physical and environmental activities, but to extend classrooms to the open air. Teaching is very good. Staff take advantage of training opportunities and show a thorough understanding of the Foundation Stage curriculum. They ensure that the children find learning an exciting experience, through careful planning and the appropriate use of resources. A minor area for consideration has been identified regarding the use of wall friezes to support children’s learning. Children are grouped effectively ensuring that the individual needs of all children are appropriately considered and met. There is a wide variety of resources, which are freely available

p.5

How effective is the nursery education?

to children. Staff actively encourage independence throughout the session. There are effective systems in place to provide support for children with special needs and those who have English as an additional language. The leadership and management of the setting are very good. Staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities and work well together as a team. They provide excellent role models and create an effective learning environment. The team is well established and communicate openly with each other. Staff and management are committed to improving care and education for all children. Training and development of staff is given high priority. Partnership with parents is very good. Parents are kept well informed about their children's progress and are enthusiastic in supporting their learning. Staff work hard to maintain good relationships with parents providing them with good quality information regarding the educational provision. Communication between staff and

p.5

What is being done well?

• Excellent management of the group ensures continual improvement through useful reviewing and monitoring systems. Staff meet regularly to review the educational programme to ensure that it is meeting the needs of all children, sharing good practice and ensuring consistency. • Staff use time and resources very well and foster opportunities for children to learn through spontaneous play. The environment is well planned to offer children a wide range of choices for self-initiated activity. Children are effectively supported in developing independence and self-confidence in all areas of the nursery. Staff's knowledge of the early learning goals, assessment process and competent teaching ensure that children's progress is maximised.

p.5

What is being done well?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • Children thoroughly enjoy the activities and play developed from planned themes. They are stimulated and excited as they re-enact traditional stories, then capture and expand their ideas within play dough modelling, painting and role-play. • The effective partnership with parents ensures that the individual learning needs of children are met and that parents are well informed and involved in their children's learning.

p.5

What needs to be improved?

• the opportunities for children to access number lines and friezes within the environment to use as a learning tool and resource.

p.6

What has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery has made very good progress since the last inspection. The staff have attended training, reviewed practice and increased the range of resources, which promote diversity, in order to strengthen the setting's approach to equality of access and opportunity. The grouping of children has been considered within the daily planning, to ensure that activities meet the developmental needs of all children attending.

p.6

What has improved 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.6

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Aspects of effective personal, social, and emotional development permeate all areas of learning. Strong relationships with staff have a positive effect on learning; children behave very well. Most children concentrate effectively when working alone or at a group activity. Personal independence is encouraged very well throughout the nursery. Children's independent learning is valued and supported.

p.7

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident and fluent speakers and engage easily in conversations with their peers and adults in the group. They listen to adults with interest and respond appropriately. Very good role-play and story-telling opportunities encourage the extension of vocabulary. Children link sounds to letters in planned and routine activities and are making very good progress in writing and reading their own names. The environment is well labelled with everyday text.

p.7

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Learning is based in carefully planned and meaningful activities. Staff use incidental opportunities as they arise. Progress is made in learning about numbers and older children are counting and recognising numbers reliably to 10, although number lines could be better positioned to allow children to use them as a resource. Children are beginning to use mathematical language well and are encouraged to estimate and compare. Very good progress is made as a result of positive staff interaction.

p.7

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are offered planned and spontaneous opportunities to explore and investigate. They ask questions about why things happen, showing curiosity and a zest for learning. They are developing an understanding of past and present events and are becoming aware of their own environment, local community and of other cultures and beliefs. Outings and visitors to the group help to consolidate children's learning in many areas.

p.7

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children access and use a range of tools and large and small equipment, on a daily basis, which helps them to develop skills effectively. They are learning about movement and developing a sense of space. Children enjoy outdoor play and participate confidently in a range of innovative activities, which offer suitable physical challenge and encourage independence and confidence. A variety of construction toys are used with increasing ability.

p.7

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.7

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children have opportunities to explore their creativity through imagination and frequently respond to what they see, hear, smell and touch. Materials are varied, interesting and accessible. There are opportunities for children to express themselves through many mediums including music, movement, story telling and painting. Staff sensitively support children as they re-enact a range of real and imaginary experiences using role-play, taking on and developing a variety of characters.

p.8

Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.8

OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

p.9

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following: • There are no significant weaknesses to report, but consideration should be given to improving the following: • The presentation of number friezes and similar resources to encourage children to access them more easily and develop their use as a learning tool.

p.9

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

The provider must draw up an action plan within 40 working days of receipt of this report showing how the key issues detailed above will be addressed. The action plan must be made available to all parents and to the Local Authority if required. An evaluation of the action taken will form part of the next inspection of funded nursery education.

p.9

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.9

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

p.10

STANDARD 2 - ORGANISATION

The registered person meets required adult: child ratios, ensures that training and qualifications requirements are met and organises space and resources to meet the children's needs effectively.

p.10

STANDARD 3 - CARE, LEARNING AND PLAY

The registered person meets children's individual needs and promotes their welfare. They plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

p.10

STANDARD 4 - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The premises are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. They provide adequate space in an appropriate location, are welcoming to children and offer access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities which promote their development.

p.10

STANDARD 5 - EQUIPMENT

Furniture, equipment and toys are provided which are appropriate for their purpose and help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are of suitable design and condition, well maintained and conform to safety standards.

p.10

STANDARD 6 - SAFETY

The registered person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

p.10

STANDARD 7 - HEALTH

The registered person promotes the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when they are ill.

p.10

STANDARD 8 - FOOD AND DRINK

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements.

p.10

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

p.10

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

p.10

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified or admitted to the provision. Steps are taken to promote the welfare and development of the child within the setting in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties.

p.10

STANDARD 11 - BEHAVIOUR

Adults caring for children in the provision are able to manage a wide range of children's behaviour in a way which promotes their welfare and development.

p.11

STANDARD 12 - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND CARERS

The registered person and staff work in partnership with parents and to meet the needs of the children, both individually and as a group. Information is shared.

p.11

STANDARD 13 - CHILD PROTECTION

The registered person complies with local child protection procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee and ensures that all adults working and looking after children in the provision are able to put the procedures into practice.

p.11

STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

Records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision, or to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are maintained. Records about individual children are shared with the child's parent.

p.11

STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.11