Treetops Pudsey

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 10/06/2003 Inspector Name Ann Dockerty

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Treetops Nursery Setting Address Littlemoor House, Littlemoor Road Pudsey West Yorkshire LS28 8AL

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Dunmar (Nurseries) Ltd Address 69 Ashbourne Road Derby Derbyshire DE22 3FS

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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

Tree Tops Nursery is situated in Pudsey near Leeds and is set in converted office buildings, serving families within the local community. It operates from five main play rooms of which two on the first floor are for children aged two and a half years to four years, and three rooms on the ground floor are used for children under two and a half years and children aged four to eight years. The out door play space is used by all the children attending the nursery. The nursery is open 8.00 to 18.00 hours, Monday to Friday all year round. The nursery receives funding for three and four year olds. There are currently 15 three and four year olds on roll, of these, four children aged four years and eleven children aged three years receive funding. The nursery support children with special educational needs and there are currently no children attending who speak English as an additional language. The staff team comprises of a supernumerary qualified manager and deputy

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Information about the setting

manager, twelve qualified nursery nurses and four nursery assistants, of these, five work directly with the funded three and four year olds. The emphasis is on learning through play and there are close links with the Early Years Development Partnership, advisory teaching support.

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How good is the Day Care?

Tree Tops Nursery provides satisfactory care for children. There is a high percentage of qualified and experienced staff, however, a weakness has been identified. The nursery is clean and well maintained. Records and documentation are well organised and accessible, staff monitor visitors to the nursery well. There is an effective system in place, which ensures children are collected by the named person. Staff pay attention to hygiene in particular with the under two's where the staff are

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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 attentive to children's individual needs. Older children are developing a good understanding of personal hygiene practices. Most area's of the nursery are safe, however, weaknesses were identified during out door play. The staff in all area's interact well with the children, they praise and encourage them. There is a good choice of toys and activities throughout the nursery. The role play area for the older children is adapted well, they can act out familiar every day activities. Some resources are not easily accessed by the older children, which restricts their independence in some area's of play. Equipment and activities for babies and younger children are well presented, stimulating, and easily accessible.

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How good is the Day Care?

Lunch time is a sociable occasion, however, older children have to wait a long time before they can start their meal, this is particularly difficult for the younger children in this group. Tables and meals are set out by the staff, there is little opportunity for children to make choices and develop their independence skills during this activity. Children in the out of school club have a choice of activities, which are easily accessible, they have access to out door play. Parents are welcomed by the staff, there is information displayed throughout the nursery. Parents are made aware of their children's development and progress, and staff exchange information with parents on a daily basis.

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What is being done well?

• Provision for babies and children under two is good. Staff pay attention to meeting babies individual needs and to exchanging information with parents. Toys and activities are well presented and easily accessible. • Interaction with children is good, staff give praise, encouragement and comfort. • Access to the nursery is managed well, the staff effectively monitor parents and visitors arriving and departing from the building. There is a good system in place to ensure that children are collected by named individuals. • Records and documentation are well organised, they are readily accessible and stored safely to maintain confidentiality.

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What needs to be improved?

• the numbers of staff working directly with children over the lunch time period • opportunities at lunch time for older children to make decisions and develop independence skills

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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 length of time children wait before beginning their meal • the organisation of resources to enable access by older children • the numbers of children accessing the out door play area • the safe storage of out door play equipment • the qualifications of staff working in the out of school club.

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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 2 Maintain staffing ratio’s at all times. 2 Ensure that staff working in the out of school club gain a suitable qualification 3 Provide older children with more opportunities during lunch time to make decisions and to become independent. 3 Organise the meal time activity more effectively so that children are not waiting for long periods of time before eating. 5 Make resources for creative play available for older children 6 Ensure that the numbers of children using the out door play space are appropriate for the space available. 6 Ensure that out door play equipment is stored safely and does not pose a hazard to children.

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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?

Treetops Nursery offers generally good quality education overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. They make very good progress in maths, knowledge and understanding of the world and creative development. Teaching is generally good. There are good systems in place to support children with special educational needs. Staff plan and assess children's progress in most areas of learning well, however, they do not yet evaluate activities to inform future planning. Assessments relate to the stepping stones, and staff are beginning to use them to inform future plans. Staff have good relationships with the children, they interact well with them, and enable children to solve problems, develop mathematical language and use their imagination. Staff provide generally good resources to encourage children's reading and writing skills, however, there are less opportunities for older children's learning to be

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How effective is the nursery education?

extended further in communication language and litercacy. All children are encouraged to be independent, and can freely choose from a wide range of activities. Staff manage children's behaviour well indoors, however, weaknesses in planning for physical activities lead to children having less self control and space awareness when playing outdoors. Leadership and management is generally good. There is a well structured management system, which ensures a shared understanding of good early years practice and is committed to ongoing staff development. The new owners and manager work hard to develop an effective staff team, but have yet to fully develop their role of evaluating some areas of practice. Partnership with parents is very good. Parents are well informed about all aspects of nursery, the curriculum and their children's progress.

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What is being done well?

• Children are very confident and secure. They are able to share experiences and speak out in small groups. Older children are able to describe events in detail and give accurate instructions. • Staff interact well with the children, they provide many opportunites for children to use their imaginations, solve problems and develop mathematical language. The children relate well to the staff, and have caring relationships. • Older and more able children are very confident at writing their names and forming some letters.

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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 • Most children have very good mathematical concepts. They are confident at counting and identifying numbers to ten. Older and more able children are able to calculate and solve problems by using adding and subtraction skills and assessing shape and size. • Children are able to develop their creative skills well, they can express themselves through art, and the use of malleable materials, and musical activities.

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What needs to be improved?

• planning in physical development and children's sense of space, self control and how their bodies change when they exercise. • planning and organisation of activities in reading and writing for a purpose, to challenge older and more able children further. • the organisation and maintenance of resources, to enable all children to make maximum use of the good resources available. • the evaluation of planning, so that staff assess more effectively how children are making progress in all six areas of learning.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

This is Treetops Nursery's first inspection.

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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: Generally Good Children are confident, settled and secure. They are able to speak in small groups,share experiences,and have good relationships with adults. Most aspects of behaviour is good, children listen well, and are developing an understanding of respect for each other. Howevever, children lack some self control when playing outdoors, resulting in frequent conflicts, a lack of awareness of each other, and space around them.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good All children communicate well with adults and each other. Older children are able to describe events and give detailed instructions, and most children have good listening skills. Older children write their names confidently, but, they are not challenged enough to use their writing skills for a purpose and use name labelling to further develop their independence.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good All children recognise shapes and size very well and are beginning to use problem solving skills confidently. Many older children are able to add and subtract during practical and spontaneous activities. Most children count to ten and some recognise numerals to nine. Staff frequently use mathematical language in their interaction.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Many opportunties are planned for children to explore and investigate their local environment and their natural world. Most are able to design, construct and join using a good range of materials, however, older children's skills may be further developed by increasing the range of joining materials on offer.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are able to manage small tools and malleable materials safely, with good control and co-ordination. Many children's health and bodily awareness is developing well, but their sense of space and each other is limited when playing outdoors. They access a range of large and small outdoor equipment, but some lack skills to be able to manage these safely and effectively.

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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 able to use their imaginations through a wide range of role play activities, and can express themselves through art, design and texture very well. They are able to explore and experiment with colour and shape in a variety of ways, and enjoy music and singing as part of their daily routine.

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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

• Key Issues. • Plan and provide opportunties in physical development for children to have an increased sense of space, self control and how their bodies change when they excerise. • Organise and maintain resources, to enable all children to make independent choices in each area of learning. • Develop a method of evaluating planned activities, to ensure that staff are able to assess how children are progressing in each area of learning. • Plan and organise activities which will provide further opportunitities for older and more able children to read and write for a purpose.

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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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