Tiny World Mansfield

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 12/01/2004 Inspector Name Gill Ogden

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Oakdene House Nursery School Setting Address Layton Avenue Mansfield Nottinghamshire NG18 5PJ

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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

Oakdene House Day Nursery opened under its current management in 1996. It operates from a large, semi-detached house in the centre of Mansfield town. It serves the town and the surrounding area. There are curently 71 children from birth to five years old on roll. This includes nine funded 3-year-olds and eight funded 4-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports children with special needs. There are no children attending who speak English as an additional language. The group opens each weekday all year round except for a week at Christmas. Sessions are from 07:30 until 18:00. Twelve full-time staff work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. Five staff are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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Information about the setting

The nursery is currently working towards achieving the National Day Nurseries Association's Quality Counts accreditation.

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How good is the Day Care?

Oakdene House Nursery School provides good quality care for children from birth to eight years. Few school-age children attend and the provision for them is usually limited to after school care for children who have recently left the nursery to start full-time school. The staff team is enthusiastic and well-trained. They are in constant communication with each other in order to create smooth transitions for the children from one part of the nursery to another. Safety and hygiene standards are very high and all the documentation is comprehensive and well-kept. The building is bright and welcoming to both parents and children. All the rooms are well-decorated and clean. Each room is set out attractively to meet the needs of the

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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 children using it. Children are grouped as babies, younger toddlers, older toddlers and pre-school. They have their meals in these groupings and enjoy the good quality food and regular drinks which are provided. A good range of equipment and play materials is available for each group and they all enjoy planned, stimulating activities. They all go outside every day, each group at a different time. The babies enjoy the fresh air and the older children play actively. Children with special needs are included effectively. Children are well-prepared for the next stage in their lives and are able to spend short periods in their next group before moving on fully. Staff observe and assess children regularly so that they

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How good is the Day Care?

move on at the appropriate time for them. All the children have a development record and a home/nursery diary is kept for the babies. There are few incidents of inappropriate behaviour and any that occur are dealt with calmly and sensitively by the staff. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents are pleased with the high standards in the nursery and the quality of the communication, both verbal and written. Staff and parents have positive, friendly relationships.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection it was agreed that some documentation would be forwarded to provide evidence of the identity of the owner and the ability of a staff member to drive a car. This was done promptly showing the provision's commitment to maintaining high standards.

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What is being done well?

• The provision of food and drink for all the children is of a high standard. All meals and drinks are provided and prepared on the premises including formula milk for babies. Staff work closely with parents to make sure that children receive good quality meals which they enjoy, and pay close attention to special dietary needs. There are clear instructions displayed in appropriate places around the building to guide staff on food and milk preparation and special diets. • Staff take great pride in creating a pleasant and stimulating environment for the children. Children's work is mounted and displayed with care and toys and activities are set out attractively. They involve themselves well with the children so that children understand how to use and respect all the resources. • All records are maintained to a high standard and the written policies and procedures are clear and practical. They are stored securely and are

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What is being done well?

well-organsied so that they are easily accessible. Written information for parents is useful and is either given to them or displayed where they can easily see it.

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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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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 5 Increase the domestic-type adult seating in the baby room.

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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?

Oakdene House Nursery School provides a warm, caring and stimulating environment where children make very good progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of the curriculum. Personal, social and emotional development is a particular strength of the setting. The quality of teaching is very good. All the staff have a thorough understanding of the stepping stones towards the Early Learning Goals. They deliver the curriculum with enthusiasm and make sure that all the children have plenty of opportunities to improve their skills and build up their knowledge through well-planned play. How the nursery assesses children's progress has recently been reviewed and a more efficient system is now in place. Staff work hard to make sure that children with special educational needs are included well and they have developed sound systems for monitoring their progress. The leadership and management of the setting is very good. The nursery is one of a

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How effective is the nursery education?

group of three and best practice is shared regularly between the managers. Monitoring and evaluation is currently being supported well through the nursery's work towards achieving a quality assurance accreditation. The development of the staff appraisal system is ongoing. Commitment to improving the care and education for all children is shown through staff being supported to gain qualifications and to take up workshops and short courses regularly. The partnership with parents is very good. Systems to involve parents in their children's learning have been developed to fit in with their busy lifestyles. Good quality written information on the foundation stage curriculum is displayed clearly and children's progress is supported as a result of the positive relationships between staff and parents.

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What is being done well?

• Children's personal, social and emotional development is excellent. They are interested and show increasing confidence in taking part in activities and extending themselves to achieve. They behave very well. • Staff's sound understanding of the Early Learning Goals results in them delivering well-planned activities which promote the learning of all the children, including those with special educational needs. • Children's progress in developing their whole body skills is excellent as a result of the planned daily opportunities they have, both indoors and outdoors, to enjoy purposeful physical activity.

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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 • the use of information technology and role play to support learning in all areas.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery has made very good progress since the last inspection. Children now have more opportunities to write their names, consistently using appropriate upper and lower case letters. A detailed action plan was drawn up to meet this point for development. It was implemented and reviewed and the setting has now reached the stage where children develop their skills in writing their names through everyday 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 enthusiastic and growing in confidence. They relate well to adults and their peers, developing friendships and taking part in group activities. They concentrate well and understand rules and actively maintain them. They often initiate the direction of their play and show increasing independence in their self-care. They are developing a growing awareness of differing views and cultures through role play and topic work.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children listen attentively to stories and instructions. They speak clearly and enjoy conversing with staff and each other. They quickly pick up new vocabulary. They handle books well, choose them for themselves and share them with others. They enjoy predicting events in familiar stories. They recognise their names on their coat pegs and name cards. They apply themselves well to writing their names and other words and phrases during everyday activities.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children enjoy counting and calculating through practical activities and daily routines. They use mathematical language well to compare size and quantity. They count confidently to ten, and often beyond, and recognise numerals. They are excited when taking part in activities which encourage them to estimate.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children learn about the natural world and living things through well-planned, practical activities. They enjoy talking and listening to each other and staff about past, present and future events in their own lives. They have good opportunities to construct with a variety of techniques and materials. They enjoy using tape recorders, cameras and programmable toys regularly. However, they do not have enough opportunities to use information technology to support all the areas of learning.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are developing their small hand and whole body skills through using a range of equipment and apparatus. They handle small tools and equipment with increasing control and manouevre well around obstacles. They enjoy good opportunities for large physical play daily, and mostly outdoors. They are developing a growing understanding of the importance of hygiene and can talk confidently about it.

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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 enjoy a range of worthwhile activities in this area. They explore colour and texture both freely and through more structured activities and use their imaginations to create models and collages. They enjoy listening to music and playing instruments regularly. They express themselves through role play and movement to music and react and respond well through using their senses. However, role play situations do not yet fully support children's learning across the whole curriculum.

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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: • A point for consideration is: • to continue to develop information technology and role play to support children's learning in all areas of 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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