Stainsby Neighbourhood Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 24/02/2005 Inspector Name Elaine Marie McDonnell

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Stainsby Setting Address Stainsby Road Middlesbrough Cleveland TS5 4JS

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Middlesbrough Surestart Business Team

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Middlesbrough Surestart Business Team Address Middlesbrough Teaching & Learning Centre Tranmere Avenue Middlesbrough Cleveland TS3 8PB

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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

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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.

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Information about the setting

Early Excellence Neighbourhood Nursery has been registered since February 2004. The provision operates from a fully refurbished section of Whinney Banks Primary School in Middlesbrough, and serves both the local and wider community. There are four main play rooms and children are cared for in three groups of similar age and ability. There is an exceptional outdoor play area with many interesting and stimulating features. The nursery currently operates each weekday from 07:45 to 18:00 and is open all year round with the exception of public holidays. Care may be provided for up to 50 children under 8 years at any one time. There are currently 67 children on roll from 6 months to 4 years of age. Nursery education is offered to three and four year olds and there are currently five children aged three years in receipt of funding. Staff also take and/or collect children to and from the nursery class within Whinney Banks Primary School. There are currently no children

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Information about the setting

with special educational needs or who speak English as an additional language attending the setting. Ten members of staff, including the nursery manager, are employed to work with the children. Nine members of staff have an early years qualification and the other staff member is currently attending a training course and is working towards a qualification.

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How good is the Day Care?

Early Excellence Neighbourhood Nursery provides good quality care for children with some excellent aspects. A very attractive, stimulating and rich environment is provided for children and good use is made of staff, space and resources. There is an exceptional outdoor play area with a sensory garden. There is a very good range of stimulating and accessible resources available that promote learning in all areas of development. All documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the provision is available, up to and well kept. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment, staff are deployed

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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 effectively and are vigilant about children's safety. Staff actively practice good hygiene routines and promote these with children. Lunch and snack times were observed to be relaxed and social occasions and children receive varied and nutritious two course meals and snacks. Staff demonstrate a high level of care for the children and are committed to meeting their individual needs. Comprehensive procedures are in place for the identification and assessment of children with special needs. Child protection procedures are in place and are shared effectively with parents and staff. Children enjoy their play and are very interested and involved in a good range of activities and play experiences that promote learning in all areas of development.

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How good is the Day Care?

Staff are very interested in what children say and do and extend their language and thinking. Children are very well behaved and relate well to adults and peers and staff manage behaviour appropriately. A warm and welcoming environment is provided for parents and children and parents are kept informed of their child's day. Most information about children is shared effectively between the nursery and parents.

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What is being done well?

• Children are involved in a good range of activities and play experiences that promote learning in all areas of development. Children are very interested, involved and enjoy their play. • A very attractive, stimulating and rich environment is provided for children and includes an exceptional outdoor play area with a sensory garden. There is a very good range of accessible resources available that enhance the stimulating surroundings. • Children receive varied and nutritious two course meals and snacks and lunch and snack times are relaxed and social occasions. • Staff are aware of the behaviour management procedure of the setting and implement this well to ensure children's behaviour is managed appropriately. As a result children are very well behaved and relate well to adults and peers.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

The nursery facility is excellent. Staff ensure a warm and welcoming, rich environment for children. All toys and activities are stimulating, are easily accessible and are attractively presented. The large outdoor play area is exceptional, it has been very well thought-out and designed and includes a sensory garden. Children receive very good adult support and attention which allows them to relax, settle in the nursery and enjoy investigating the stimulating surroundings.

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• the effectiveness of sharing information about children between the nursery and parents.

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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.

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 12 Ensure that all information about children is shared effectively between the nursery and parents.

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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

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How effective is the nursery education?

The Early Excellence Neighbourhood Nursery offers good quality care overall for children which supports them in making good progress towards the Early Learning Goals. Children make very good progress in personal, social and emotional development, in communication language and literacy, mathematical, creative and physical development and in their knowledge and understanding of the world. The standard of teaching is very good which contributes to the very good progress the children make. Staff have a very good knowledge of the foundation stage and use this to plan a broad and stimulating curriculum. They make very good use of display and resources to create a rich learning environment. Assessment systems are in place however these are not always used effectively. The leadership and management of the setting is vey good. High priority is given to monitoring and improving standards. The leadership of the setting is effective in

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How effective is the nursery education?

providing support to staff, encouraging training and professional development. The management team is effective in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the educational provision however there has been less focus upon partnerships with parents. The settings partnership with parents is very good. Good quality information about the setting is provided for parents. They receive regular updates about their children's progress through newsletters and open evenings, however information about the curriculum and of how parents can be involved in their children's learning is more limited.

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What is being done well?

• Children's personal social and emotional development is very good. Children are confident, sociable and have caring relationships with each other and staff. • Children are making excellent progress in communication language and literacy, they are confident communicators and are developing a love of books and stories. • Children are making very good progress in their mathematical development. Children use numbers with confidence, can do simple calculations and have growing understanding of shape space and measure. • Staff make very good use of the environment to encourage children's learning. Displays are interactive and resources are well laid out providing a stimulating, attractive learning environment. • The commitment to staff development and monitoring of the quality of children's education ensures continual improvement in the early years

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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 provision.

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What needs to be improved?

• the use of assessment systems for children • partnership with parents to inform them more about the curriculum and of how they can be involved children's learning. •

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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

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are very confident, they interact well with each other have formed attachments to members of their group. They concentrate well and are very positive and eager to try new activities. Children have very good personal care skills, are very independent and able to select their own resources and work independently. Children have a good awareness of behavioural boundaries and treat each other with consideration, listening well and giving help when asked.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children's spoken language is developing very well, they talk about imaginary and real experiences, initiate conversations and listen well when others are speaking. They have a good understanding that print carries meaning, enjoy using books, handle them with care following print left to right and attempt retelling familiar stories. Children attempt writing for a purpose in role play activities and enjoy many varied mark making opportunities developing their early writing skills.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children use number well in structured and everyday situations, are beginning to recognise numbers to nine confidently. They show a developing understanding of simple calculations in practical activities and number rhymes. Children's understanding of shape, space and measure is developing very well, they use language confidently and recognise and create simple patterns.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children show a keen interest in the world around them, they explore using their senses, observe and comment upon key features and ask questions about why and how. They are very confident in designing and making, choose materials and use tools with increasing control. Children's understanding of time and place is developing well, they can recall past events and features of their own lives.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move confidently and imaginatively making use of a wide range of large and small equipment. Their health and bodily awareness is developing well, they are beginning to recognise the effect exercise has on their bodies. Children can use tools and materials with increasing confidence and control to achieved desired results.

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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

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children make very good use of their imaginations in a range of role play and nursery activities. They are confident in exploring a range of media in a large variety of planned and freely chosen activities. Children spontaneously create with a good range of craft media and tools.

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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

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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.

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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 key issues to report but consideration should be given to the following; • monitor the use of assessment systems for children to ensure they are used effectively • develop the nurseries partnership with parents to encourage them to be involved in their children's learning and to ensure they are fully informed about the curriculum.

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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.

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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

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STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

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

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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