Hippitots Limited

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 13/05/2004 Inspector Name Ann Elaine Tomlinson

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Out of School Day Care, Full Day Care Setting Name Hippitots Setting Address The Tarka Centre, Commercial Road West Coxhoe Durham County Durham DH6 4HJ

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Hippitots Ltd Address The Tarka Centre, Commercial Road West Coxhoe Durham County Durham DH6 4HJ

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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

Hippitots Nursery opened in February 2003. It operates from four rooms on two levels. It serves the local community providing full day care and out of school hour care. There are currently 38 children on the roll. This includes eight funded three year olds and one funded four year old. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently has no children with special needs or English as an additional language. The group is open five days a week. Five full time staff and two part time staff work with the children. All hold a recognised childcare qualification. The setting receives support from the early years development and child care partnership(EYDCP].

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How good is the Day Care?

Hippitots provides good quality care for children. All staff within the group are vetted and a staff file is held which clearly details recent training. Space within the rooms is well used. However consideration should be given to the grouping of children for activities. Staff organise areas to allow children to experience different types of activities. There is a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place. The nursery place a strong emphasis on safety. All equipment is appropriately used and they develop the children's appreciation and understanding of safety. Staff provide positive role models for children who consequently have developed good hygiene practices. Children are provided with a balanced diet. They provide a wide range of activities for children. Children are able to freely

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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 access activities from those available. They have developed good communication with children, who seek staff for support if needed. The activities available, ensure that children are able to develop a range of skills. They have developed sound relationships with parents based on mutual respect and understanding. They ensure parents are kept informed and encourage them to contribute and participate within the nursery.

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What is being done well?

• Activities are well organised in the rooms and children are able to access and experience a wide range of activities. • The staff have developed a wide range of policies and procedures and these demonstrate their team commitment to the nursery. • Behaviour within the nursery is very good. Children understand the rules and respect these. Staff provide positive role models, accentuating positive behaviour. • High priority is given to safety issues throughout the nursery. They develop children's awareness and understanding of these issues

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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

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 Std Recommendation 2 review the grouping of children to ensure that activities are appropriate for all children in each group

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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?

Hippitots provides a warm and welcoming environment so that children make generally good progress towards the early learning goals with some very good aspects. They make generally good progress in knowledge and understanding of the world and in mathematical development. They make very good progress in communication language and literacy, personal social and emotional development and with their physical and creative development. The quality of teaching is generally good, and children are making progress through the stepping stones with enthusiasm and enjoyment. Planning is good and ensures the sessions run smoothly. The room provides children with a stimulating and well organised learning environment in which they learn and play. Staff interaction with the children is very good which has a positive impact on children's attitudes and motivation to learn. Staff have some understanding of the early learning goals and

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How effective is the nursery education?

this is reflected in the range of activities and resources presented to children, however this area should be developed through training. Staff provide very good role models for children and manage behaviour very well. The leadership and management of the group is effective. Staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities, resulting in the group running well. Staff are encouraged to attend training as identified. They are aware of strengths and weaknesses and are committed to the continued improvement of the care and education of the children. Management should monitor and evaluate the provision for nursery education. Partnership with parents is very good. Parents are provided with a good amount of information about the group. They use the notice board to display the early learning goals, and link planning to these notices. Parents are encouraged to contribute to the group, and talk freely with staff.

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What is being done well?

• Staff give high priority to nurturing children's personal social and emotional development. Staff establish very good relationships with children, and respond with enthusiasm to children's needs. Children are confident and secure in their environment. • Communication language and literacy is very good. Children make very good progress in the spoken language, through a variety of stimulating activities. Children show good progress in writing and reading skills, promoted by good levels of support and interesting resources. • Children effectively learn to count, recognise shape, size and numbers, through a range of everyday activities. • The accommodation and use of time and resources is very good. The bright and stimulating environment together with the presentation and organisation

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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 of activities ensures that children's independence is encouraged and their eagerness to learn is fostered. • The quality of teaching has an effective impact on children's learning. Staff ensure that a good range of activities is available to children, teach them new skills and continue and refine skills learnt. • Partnership with parents is very good. Good communication between staff and parents ensures that parents are kept fully informed about all aspects of their child's progress.

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What needs to be improved?

• Opportunities of older children to explore and experiment how and why things work • Opportunities for children to solve simple mathematical problems through fun everyday activities • Management and staff need to monitor and evaluate the curriculum so that sufficient challenges are provided for older children.

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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 relate very well to peers and adults within the group, demonstrating consideration for each other and their environment. They are confident and independent. This is promoted by sensitive support and easily accessed, interesting resources. Children behave very well, with staff providing positive role models. Children are able to make connections between home and group. They develop an appreciation of responsibility for their own tasks and work well together.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children's language is developing well. They express imaginative thinking confidently and speak and listen well in small and large group situations. All children enjoy books and handle them appropriately and listen to stories with enthusiasm. Children have good access to written text and tools to produce writing and do so with increasing skill. Children are re calling and re telling favourite stories.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are aware of number in all areas of group life. Numbers are displayed around the room. Children confidently count to ten and above. Children are able to access a range of equipment to support their learning. They recognise shape and use positional, size and weight language appropriately in their play. They are aware of up and down, light and heavy. However activities should be provided for older children to begin to solving mathematical problems with the support of staff .

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children develop a very good awareness of their environment. Children are accessing a wide and varied range of first hand experiences. Children are developing an understanding of time. They are able to differentiate between yesterday, tomorrow and today and talk with confidence about the weekend. Children use the computer confidently with support from staff. They have developed good concentration skills. However activities should be provided for children to investigate how and why things work.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are able to move confidentially and safely within the group, showing an awareness of space and others. They are able to negotiate obstacles as required. They are able to express their feelings both in large and small groups. Children use small tools with skill, and confidence and are developing a breadth of skills Children develop a range of large skills through planned activities. They are aware of their own bodily functions and how to keep themselves healthy.

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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 are explore shape, colour, form and texture in two and three dimensions, making models, and painting in planned activities. All children are confident in expressing real and imagined experiences in role and home play. Children enjoy music and song and respond purposefully and appropriately when joining in with singing and story. Children use their senses well and positively respond to planned sensory activities.

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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 good quality overall. Children are making generally 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: THE KEY ISSUES

• provide more opportunities for children to investigate how and why things work. • provide opportunities for children to solve simple mathematical problems through fun everyday activities. • develop the monitoring and evaluation of the curriculum to ensure that sufficient challenges are provided for older children

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

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: THE KEY ISSUES

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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