Wonder Years Nursery School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 22/05/2003 Inspector Name Teresa Colburn

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SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name Wonder Years Nursery School Setting Address 2 Surrenden Crescent Brighton East Sussex BN1 6WF

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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

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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

Wonder Years Nursery first opened in 2001, is privately owned and offers full day care. It is registered to care for 46 children aged under five years, of these no more than 16 can be aged under two years. The nursery is open Monday through Friday from 7.30 am to 6.00 pm all year round, except for bank holidays and one week over Christmas. The nursery is situated on the main route into Brighton and is accommodated in a large, purposely converted house. There is a safe, secure garden area which offers good out door play opportunities. The nursery currently has 100 children on roll, of these nine are funded four year olds, and 30 are funded three year olds. There are four funded children identified as having special educational needs and two who have English as an additional language. The proprietors employ a manager who oversees the day to day running of the nursery. Including the manager there are 15 members of staff of whom eleven hold relevant child care

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Information about the setting

qualifications the other four are all undertaking appropriate training. Staff receive support from a qualified teacher attached to the local Early Years and Childcare Partnership. Children attending the nursery are representative of the local community.

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How good is the Day Care?

Wonder Years Nursery provide satisfactory care overall for children aged 0 - 5 years. The management has given high priority to staff qualifications and promotes ongoing training. Procedures in place ensure staff have consistent approach to their work, such as staff meetings and induction training. The staff provide a warm, welcoming child centred environment. The nursery has a good staff team, who work well together. Staff give high priority to ensuring children are safe both inside and outside the nursery. They consistently carry out the procedures outlined in the comprehensive policies and procedure manual. Seven members of staff are trained in first aid. Staff encourage good hygiene practices. Staff ensure children with special needs are fully included in activities. The quality of care for all the children is good. Children in the baby room benefit from consistent routines for sleeping, playing and eating. Staff interact well with children to extend their learning and

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How good is the Day Care?

development. They set clear and consistent boundaries. Staff develop very good

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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 relationships with the children, they are happy and settled. The nursery has friendly but professional relationships with the parents. They share information about the children and regularly discuss the day's activities and children's progress. Parents are encouraged to participate in nursery events.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

This is not applicable as this is the nursery's first inspection since registration.

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What is being done well?

Provision for the babies is good. Staff give good attention to meeting babies individual needs for eating, sleeping and exchanging information with parents. (Standard 3) Staff have very good relationships with all children, time is dedicated to talking and playing with them. (Standard 3) Staff use the nursery and garden effectively. (Standard 4) Children with special needs have additional support to help them take part in every day activities. (Standard 10) Children respond well to the staff's consistent praise and guidance. They eagerly take part in activities, tidy away and behave well. (Standard 11) Comprehensive policies and procedures in place, which are implemented by staff. (Standard 14)

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What needs to be improved?

develop plans, ensuring children of all ages have access to a stimulating range and balanced activities which help their development. (Standard 3) review the access to the 2-3 year olds room, when children resting. (Standard 3) children can use toilets with dignity and privacy. (Standard 4) the range of natural resources for babies. (Standard 5) sufficient and comfortable furniture for staff to sit comfortably with children, when playing and eating. (Standard 5) review procedure for monitoring sleeping babies. (Standard 6) ensure confidentiality is maintained when recording accidents. (Standard 7)

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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 4 ensure the toilets enable children’s dignity and privacy to be respected 3 plan in advance, a stimulating range and balance of activities which help children make progress in all areas of their development, for all ages.

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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

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How effective is the nursery education?

The provision for nursery education at Wonder Years Nursery is good. It enables children to make generally good progress in most areas of learning, although there are significant weaknesses in the areas of mathematical and creative development. The quality of teaching is generally good. Staff plan a range of worthwhile activities and understand what children learn from them. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. They set realistic boundaries and understand the importance of praise and encouragement in promoting good behaviour. Resources are of good quality and well organised to support children's learning. Group activities for funded children are presented in an enthusiastic manner, but are not always extended to provide sufficient challenge, particularly for the older, more able children. The nursery has an effective assessment system in place which enables them to record children's progress towards the early learning goals. However, the information

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How effective is the nursery education?

gathered is not always well used to plan the next steps in children's learning, particularly in the areas of mathematical and creative development. The leadership and management of the nursery is good. The two owners and the manager work well together as a team. Good recruitment and induction procedures, along with an effective appraisal system ensures good management of the nursery. The management team are committed to improvement within the nursery and staff are actively encouraged to attend further training. Partnership with parents is good, they are provided with clear information about the nursery and the learning programme. There are formal and informal systems in place which allow parents to discuss their child's progress. Regular parents evenings along with fun days and open days offer good opportunities for parents to be involved in their child's learning.

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What is being done well?

Children's personal, social and emotional development is given high priority. Children are happy, confident and interested in the activities offered. They are developing good self esteem along with an awareness of others needs. Children's speaking and listening skills are given good emphasis. Children speak with confidence at circle time, and together socially at snack times and during lunch. Children's physical skills are promoted effectively through a stimulating range of indoor and outdoor activities. They enjoy playing with the good variety of small and large equipment available to them. Relationships between staff and the children and their parents are good. Helping to support all aspects of children's learning.

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What needs to be improved?

the attention given to children's mathematical development both in the planning and through everyday routines and activities. opportunities for children to express themselves through creative play. the use of assessment records to inform the planning to include extension activities for the more able children

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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

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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

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in personal, social and emotional development. They show good confidence as they move around the nursery choosing resources and activities for themselves. They show a consideration for others and are developing a sense of right and wrong. They develop their independence as they pour drinks for themselves. Observed relations are very good as is behaviour.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in communication, language and literacy. Children are confident speakers; their ability to talk and negotiate with others is good. Children show an interest in, and enjoyment of, books. They know how books are organised, with some 'reading' by themselves. Children recognise their first names and are encouraged to notice the sounds of letters and words..

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Significant Weaknesses Children's mathematical development has some significant weaknesses. Children benefit from good individual support to help them count to 10 and to recognise shapes, colours and size. However, their understanding of numbers is not sufficiently reinforced as they take part in routine tasks such as laying the table for lunch or snack time. Nor is the potential to develop an awareness of weight and capacity sufficiently exploited through the use of resources such as sand and water.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children generally make good progress in knowledge and understanding of the world. Children learn to explore and investigate as they engage in topic work. They enjoy using the computer and know how a mouse works. Staff consistently encourage children to talk about and recall past events. Children extend their knowledge of other cultures through using a suitable range of resources and interesting topics.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children's physical development is good. Children move confidently around the nursery showing a good awareness of space and others. Good use is made of the outdoor area where children enjoy using the large climbing frame. Staff are on hand to support and encourage new skills such as helping children to throw and catch a small ball. Children are learning to handle tools such as pencils, brushes and scissors with increasing skill.

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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

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Significant Weaknesses Children's creative development has some significant weaknesses. Children explore sounds as they sing and play with musical instruments. They are offered activities that encourage them to respond in a variety of ways to what they see, hear, touch and taste. However, there is little free access to creative play materials and they are not actively encouraged to use the imaginative play area or to engage in role-play.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered appropriately: Y

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CREATIVE 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

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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

improve the use of daily routines and planned activities to extend children's understanding of mathematics. increase opportunities for children to choose creative materials for themselves and to express themselves through imaginative play. Improve planning to include extension activities for the more able children

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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

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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 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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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

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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

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