Claremont School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 11/02/2005 Inspector Name Gerry Simonds

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Snapdragons of Grosvenor Setting Address 4 Grosvenor Place Bath Avon BA1 6AX

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REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

Snapdragons of Grosvenor is based in the rooms of a Georgian town house in Bath City. It provides full day care for up to 60 children from birth to 5 years, who are accommodated in 3 units appropriate to their age. The group was established in 1999. There are at present 120 children on roll and 7 of these are funded four-year-olds and 24 are funded three-year-olds. The group supports children with special needs and children with English as an additional language. They are supervised by a staff of 20, all with suitable childcare qualifications and experience. There is a secure and well equipped outdoor area. Families from Bath and the surrounding area use the facility. The group have taken part in 'Investors in People' and in the accreditation scheme 'Quality Counts'. The nursery is open from 08:00 until 18:00 for 51 weeks of the year. The group attends training provided by the Bath and North East Somerset Early Years Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Snapdragons of Grosvenor provides good quality care for children. The joint managers are well qualified and work well together. All policies and procedures are in place and the operational plan works well. There are sufficient staff working with the children. A warm and welcoming environment is provided with attractive displays in evidence. There is a very good variety of toys and equipment for all age groups both inside the building and in the garden and the baby room is attractive and well equipped. There is a suitable health and safety policy and staff do their best to ensure that children are kept safe. Security is good and staff are vigilant about who enters the building. Staff are aware of fire safety procedures and record fire drills appropriately. Most medication forms are signed by parents but a couple were not. Children are encouraged to be aware of health issues, to use tissues and wash their hands

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How good is the Day Care?

regularly. Drinks are available at all times and a variety of healthy snacks and meals are provided. Children are treated with equal concern and children with special needs and English as an additional language are well supported.

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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 The nursery provides a good variety of activities for all ages and children, even the babies are encouraged to make choices and select resources to use. Children are progressing at the appropriate levels and good equipment is provided to support their development. Staff observe and record children's progress. Staff manage behaviour consistently and the ethos in this nursery is good. Staff are aware of child protection procedures but not too sure of Ofsted's role in these. There is a very good parental partnership. Parents are happy with the group and feel well informed. There is a positive and relaxed ethos within the group. Open evenings are held to share records and keep parents well informed. Newsletters are sent out

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How good is the Day Care?

and parents consider staff to be very approachable.

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What is being done well?

• The group is very well organised, all policies and procedures are in place and this makes for a well run nursery. • Staff are well qualified and willing to attend training. • The ethos within the nursery which ensures that children are happy and relaxed. • The baby room which is stimulating and attractive for the babies. • The consistent approach to behaviour management.

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What needs to be improved?

• the signing of all medication forms • the staff's knowledge of Ofsted's role in child protection procedures.

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Outcome of the 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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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 7 Ensure that all medication forms are signed by parents. 13 Ensure that all staff are aware of Ofsted's role in child protection procedures.

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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?

Provision for early years education at Snapdragons of Grosvenor of good quality overall. Children's progress towards the early learning goals is generally good and in personal, social and emotional development and physical development progress is very good. Teaching is generally good. Staff plan an appropriate variety of activities and children are interested and motivated. Staff have a generally good knowledge of the foundation stage of learning but expectations of what the older and more able children are capable of are not high enough. Plans do not show how activities are extended for these children. Children with special needs and English as an additional language are well catered for. Staff are very consistent in their approach to behaviour management and they use time well. Resources are plentiful and these are also well used by the staff to provide an interesting day. Leadership and management is generally good at all levels. The group are given

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How effective is the nursery education?

good support by the owner and area manager. The two managers, who share responsibility for the day to day running of the nursery, work well together and share responsibility appropriately. Staff are encouraged to attend training and there are formal appraisals undertaken. These give staff opportunity to talk about their personal development and set targets for the future. However, the action plan from the last inspection with regard to more able children has not been completed. There is a very good partnership with parents. Parents are very happy with the provision. They find the staff very approachable. Parents evenings are held and parents are able to discuss progress regularly. Weekly sheets are sent home to show parents what the children have been doing in nursery and parents appreciate these. Newsletters are also sent to keep parents well informed and plans are also displayed.

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What is being done well?

• The good ethos in the nursery, this results in confident, happy and contented children. • Children's personal social and emotional development where children are well behaved, understand the need to think of others and share and take turns well. • The programme for physical development which ensures that children are given good vigorous activity indoors and out. For example, on a wet day they get out the parachute and play appropriate games which ensure good physical activity. • The good parental partnership which keeps parents well informed and really welcomes them as partners in educating their children.

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• the plans to show how work is extended for the older and more able child • the general expectation of what older and more able children can do. For example, children's opportunities to develop their writing; having more phonic work; more opportunity for calculating and problem solving; more opportunity to explore natural materials and being allowed to draw for themselves.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Improvement since the last inspection is generally good. At the last inspection staff were asked to : Improve opportunity for children to use their large muscle skills and their coordination. This has been well achieved. Children have good opportunity to use wheeled toys and climbing equipment. New equipment has been purchased and the garden is well used. Staff ensure that on wet days children still have good opportunity for physical activity. Secondly staff were asked to show in plans how work is made different for the older and more able children. Plans still do not show how this is achieved and this results in low expectations of what these children can achieve.

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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 interact with staff and one another. There is a very good ethos in the room and children are very contented. They are able to speak up confidently and sit quietly. Relationships are very good and children share and take turns well. They are developing good independence skills and are able to select their own resources well. Good opportunities are provided to learn about their own culture and many others. They have a child sized wheel chair to encourage understanding of disability.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children have good opportunities to speak and discuss in a group. They enjoy role play and use speech well in this area. They enjoy browsing amongst their books and listen to stories with interest. They also write for a purpose in their role play areas as they write lists and orders for food. However there are not enough opportunities to practise writing or phonic work for older and more able children. They enjoy reading simple words when talking of the weather and days of the week.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children count regularly and recognise numbers on the wall. They are good at picking out a number and matching this to a group of objects. Understanding of simple number work is good. They are able to name shapes and use the computer programme to support their understanding. However, opportunities for more able children to extend their work in calculation and problem solving, such as the number of cups required at snack time, are more limited.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children enjoy investigating, for example, their Chinese artefacts. They talk of change as they cook and watch the ingredients. They show curiosity as they wonder why the new role play hats make noises. They show good skills when using their computer and are able to do this without adult intervention. Visits and visitors are included in the programme to enhance their knowledge of the world around them. However, there are not few opportunities to explore natural materials and living things.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are provided with many good physical activities. They show that they can move with control and good awareness of space in the garden where they use wheeled toys, and climbing equipment. They enjoy using their parachute indoors and show good coordination skills. They are encouraged to think of health issues as they are reminded to wipe noses or wash hands and show independence at these tasks. They use a variety of tools with developing skill when using dough.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children explore colour in many ways as they freely paint, use collage or print. For example, they were asked to paint 'cold colours'. They are able to express themselves through song and movement and enjoy good role play. They respond very well to all that is offered and enjoy singing a variety of songs. However, displays on the wall are often drawn by adults and children do show that they are capable of doing this.

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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

• ensure that plans show how work is extended for older and more able children • have higher expectation of what older and more able children can achieve. 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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