Little Saints Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 10/12/2004 Inspector Name Sharron Hall

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Little Saints Nursery Setting Address School House Hillfoot Road, Totley Sheffield South Yorkshire S17 4AP

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Little Saints Nursery Address School House Hillfoot Road, Totley Sheffield South Yorkshire S17 4AP

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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

Little Saints Nursery, which has been operating for 35 years initially as a playgroup, is located in Totley, a suburban area to the south of Sheffield. The facility operates from the old caretaker's house in the grounds of Totley All Saints Primary School and provides a homely environment. There is access to two play rooms, a kitchen, toileting facilities and a safe outdoor play area. The nursery serves the local area, and has established links with Totley All Saints and Totley County Primary schools. The facility is registered to provide 17 places for children between the ages of two and five years. There are currently 40 children on roll, seven of whom are under three years. This number includes 18 three year olds and 15 four year olds who are receiving funding. Children attend a variety of sessions each week. Six of the children have special needs there are no children currently on the register who have English as an

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Information about the setting

additional language. The nursery opens five days a week during term time between the hours of 08.30 - 15.20. Currently children attending after 15:20 pm are transferred to an after- school facility. Eight staff work with the children, providing continuity of care. Seven have Early Years qualifications and one is working towards obtaining these. The group has PLA membership, belongs to the local cluster group and receives support from the Early Years Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Little Saints Nursery provide good care for children. Staff create a secure atmosphere where children can develop good attitudes and dispositions to learning. Staff work well as a team and ensure that children have access to a varied range of

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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 easily accessible toys and resources which are used effectively to support the planning of stimulating activities, both indoors and outdoors. Good information sharing processes help to assist staff to meet the individual needs of the children. Staff give high priority to nurturing their personal, social and emotional development. Behaviour within the group is very good. All policies and procedures are in place and readily available to parents. High emphasis is given to safety issues at all times and good health and hygiene practise is encouraged. Children are independent, confident and have regard for each other. Relationships between all are well established and children are encouraged to express their individuality freely.

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How good is the Day Care?

Staff are committed and consistently seeking ways to improve the service. Relationships with parents are good and effective, well informed documentation is kept and stored in a confidential manner

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Since the last inspection staff have continued to work in partnership with parents and implement good practise and planning within the nursery. Children's needs are assessed and their individual needs are met, with a wide range of play and learning experiences available, both in inside and outside activities.

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What is being done well?

• Children's personal, social and emotional development is very good, they are confident and eager to participate on their own or as part of group. • Behaviour is very good. • Parental partnerships are developed, encouraged and valued which has a direct impact on children's learning. • Children are encouraged to express themselves and use their imagination through art and design, role-play and music. Opportunities are provided for children to explore how and why things work with support from enthusiastic staff, they ask open ended questions which stimulate the child's thought process. • Ample opportunity is given for children to develop physical skills including some outdoor activities. • Staff consider the intended purpose of an activity to ensure the needs of all children are addressed and evaluate accordingly.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

Children are encouraged to think, use skills and judgement to develop their own self awareness and self esteem in everyday practical activities, resources and planning enable children to use their skills in order to achieve expected development within/

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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 exceeding the stepping stones/ early learning goals necessary for their personal development.

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What needs to be improved?

• to extend the range of computer programmes, identified by staff, as the children are showing more and more competence.

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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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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

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?

Little Saints Nursery provides very good nursery education for children. They offer a warm, friendly atmosphere where children are well settled and supported. Children respond well to a wide and varied range of stimulating activities, are eager to learn and make good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff are enthusiastic, work well as a team and provide a stimulating and innovative program of activities to engage the children and develop their learning skills. Relationships are very good, both with children and parents. Staff have high expectations of children and behaviour is exceptionally good, they respond to the positive praise and encouragement which is ongoing, staff are very good role models. The very stable staff team are successful because of their level of commitment within the group, all are prepared to commit to ongoing training in order to further enhance their service. They welcome guidance and

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How effective is the nursery education?

support from outside agencies and use positive feedback and self evaluation to determine their own individual training needs. Relationships with parents and carers is very good, information sharing is positive and the staff ensure that parents are kept updated about their child's progress and the plans for the nursery, both daily, within the group setting, and socially, through a variety of mediums, e.g., daily contact, the notice board, newsletter, key worker and children's records, open evenings etc.

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What is being done well?

• Children are encouraged to be confident, enthusiastic and enjoy learning through play. Very innovative activities are available where children can focus on their own health and safety and the safety and awareness of others without being too restricted. • Through good relationships with staff and each other, children are learning to respect and care for themselves and the world around them, they are eager to participate, take turns and share and care for each other. • Staff respond well to the children's individual needs and are eager to provide appropriate stimulation and flexibility to allow children to develop individual skills. • All children are valued and included, children with special needs have appropriate care plans in place and staff liaise with parents and other agencies in order to assist their development.

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What needs to be improved?

• extend the range of computer programmes further.

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What needs to be improved?

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 has improved since the last inspection?

Very good progress has been made since the last inspection, staff have added to resources in all areas, for both indoor and outdoor play activities.

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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 happy and confident within the group, well motivated to independently access the wide and varied play opportunities on offer. Relationships are very good, children approach adults confidently and are able to express themselves freely. They are sensitive of each other and of the world around them. Behaviour within the group is very good and children respond very well to the positive praise and encouragement from the staff, who are excellent role models.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children can talk confidently, develop language skills and contribute with interest. they respond to questions and discuss with each other and staff about everyday occurrences. They are able to listen when necessary and recognise familiar letters and sounds. Children use many practical opportunities to recognise, develop, and practise their writing skills.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children use simple addition and subtraction in everyday activities, they count various objects during activities and decide if more or less are needed. They are able to use a range of activities to consolidate their learning using shape, size and numbers and often use sequencing materials/games, as well as ongoing rhymes and singing experiences.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are afforded very good experiences to explore their own environment and the world around them, they respond enthusiastically to visitors and visits to local places of interest. They can recall and relate to displays and photographic evidence regarding situations and themes in nursery, like making Kangaroo pouches and acting like Kangaroos jumping when the topic was Australia. They show curiosity and enthusiasm when finding out how things work and about different cultures and customs.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children show good spatial awareness, they are able to negotiate obstacles and be aware of others during their play. They use large and small equipment and tools well and are able to handle scissors, pencils, and other tools with increasing control. They use a variety of large and small equipment everyday as part of the normal routine, both indoors and outdoors..

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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 use a wide and varied range of resources and materials on a daily basis and are able to express their own creativity to explore colour, shape and texture. They use role play effectively to simulate the nativity outside in the stable. Children are enthusiastic when taking turns and sharing experiences, they are actively involved in story, singing and drama and are confident enough to sing solo and in duet at Christmas song practise..

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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 identified. • A point for consideration would be to extend the range of computer programmes.

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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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