Horn End Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 12/02/2004 Inspector Name Jacqueline Mason

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name HORN END NURSERY Setting Address Wharf Road Rugeley Staffs WS15 1BL

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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

Horn End Nursery (Rugeley) has been open since 1998. It operates from a purpose built property just outside Rugeley town centre. The nursery has an enclosed area for outdoor play. There are currently 74 children from 8 months to 4 years on roll. This includes 14 funded 3-year-olds and 4 funded 4-year-olds. Children are able to attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery is able to support children with special needs and children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. It is open from 08:00 - 17:30. Eight full time and three part time staff work with the children. 70% of staff have an early years qualification. Three staff are working towards NVQ levels 2 and 3. The nursery receives support from a teacher / mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP). Horn End Nursery (Rugeley) was awarded the Quality Counts Award from the National Day Nurseries Association in November

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How good is the Day Care?

Horn End Nursery (Rugeley) provides good quality care for children. Children are settled and confident. They have good relationships with the staff, although the implementation of a key worker system is not consistent across the nursery to ensure that all children have a named adult who is responsible for co-ordinating information about their needs and development. Although the planning of the 'free play' programme does not ensure children attending part time have access to all toys, a good range of toys and equipment are provided that promote all areas of development. Children are grouped appropriately. Procedures to keep children safe are good. Staff have a good understanding of the safety policy and implement it well. They promote health and hygiene and take

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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 positive steps to limit the spread of infection although sleeping arrangements for older children does not ensure they are comfortable. There are effective procedures in place for sick children but written parental permission is not obtained before prescribed medicines are administered and the confidentiality of medication records is not maintained. Staff have a good understanding of child protection issues and are confident to report concerns. Activities provided are suitable, varied and interesting. There is a good balance of adult led and child initiated activities. Staff know the children well and the effective planning and evaluation of activities ensures that children's individual needs are met. Staff are aware of equal opportunities issues and promote positive images of culture,

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How good is the Day Care?

gender and disability throughout the nursery. Behaviour is managed well. Staff encourage good behaviour and praise children's individual efforts. Partnerships with parents and carers are good. Parents are kept informed about the provision and their child's progress through daily discussion and written assessments. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their children's learning.

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What is being done well?

• An appropriate equal opportunities policy is understood and implemented by staff. They encourage children to have positive attitudes towards culture, disability and gender. Equal opportunities issues are promoted through the imaginative presentation of toys and activities. • The management of children's behaviour is good. Strategies to deal with challenging behaviour are consistent and appropriate to the age and level of understanding of the children. Good behaviour is encouraged and praised. • A varied and interesting range of activities is provided that promotes all areas of children's development. Children are grouped effectively and this enables staff to plan an appropriate programme of activities that children enjoy. Staff are interested in what the children say and do and respond well to them. • Relationships with parents and carers are good. Staff work well with parents and carers and involve them in the planning of their children's care and

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What is being done well?

learning. • Good use is made of space to allow for a variety of activities. There is a wide range of age appropriate toys and equipment in each area of the nursery and attention is paid to ensuring that they are clean, safe and suitable. • There are effective procedures in place to ensure that are aware of child protection issues. There are arrangements in place to share child protection procedures with parents. Staff are confident to report concerns and follow the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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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 development of an effective keyworker system across all areas of the nursery • the development of the free play programme • the arrangements to ensure that older children can sleep comfortably • the arrangements to obtain written parental permission prior to medication being dispensed and the confidentiality of medication records.

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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 Develop an effective key worker system across all areas of the nursery. 3 Develop the free play programme to enable children attending part time to experience a wide variety of activities. 14 Obtain written parental permission before administering medication and maintain confidentiality of medication records. 7 Ensure all children who require a sleep are made comfortable.

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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?

Horn End Nursery offers high quality provision overall which helps children to make very good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff have a good understanding of the foundation stage and plan a varied range of adult led and child centred activities to ensure that children make progress towards the early learning goals. The learning intentions of activities are recorded and staff evaluate activities to judge their impact on children's learning. Children are assessed during activities and although assessment is used to help plan activities, its main purpose is to keep children's individual developmental folders up to date. Although children do not listen well in story and discussion times, staff manage children well, are consistent and act as positive role models. Children are provided with a variety of role-play situations although role-play is not available to children during all free play sessions. Staff

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How effective is the nursery education?

interact well with the children and present activities imaginatively to motivate and interest them. They ask questions to challenge children's thinking and are interested in what children say and do. The leadership and management of the nursery is very good. Staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities and work well together as a team. Professional development is supported and staff are encouraged to further develop their childcare skills and knowledge by attending both external and 'in-house' training. Effective systems are in place to identify strengths and weaknesses of the nursery and monitor the quality of the nursery education. The partnership with parents and carers is very good. There are effective procedures in place to provide parents with quality information about the nursery and its provision. Parents are kept informed about their children's progress and are encouraged to be involved in their children's learning.

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What is being done well?

• Activities provided are interesting, varied and challenging. Planning is effective to ensure that all areas of learning are addressed. Staff are aware of the learning intentions of activities and provide children with appropriate resources that they use competently and appropriately. • Relationships between staff and the children and their parents are good. These help children to develop self-confidence and supports all aspects of their learning. They enjoy coming to nursery and interact confidently with staff and peers. • Strategies to manage children's behaviour are effective and consistent. Staff have high expectations of the children and the children respond positively.

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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 Children behave well, are confident and settled. Staff praise children's individual efforts and encourage good behaviour. • Children are motivated to learn by the careful planning and imaginative presentation of appropriate activities. Staff encourage children to participate and adapt activities to ensure that all children can take part.

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What needs to be improved?

• the development of children's understanding of the need to listen and take turns in conversation in large group situations • the further development of role-play opportunities • the further development of the assessment of children.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Very good progress has been made in addressing the recommendations made at the last nursery education inspection. At the last inspection, two recommendations were made. The first was to develop learning objectives when planning and directing activities and the second was to increase the level of parental support. The learning intention of each adult focused activity is now recorded on the short term planning sheets to ensure that all staff are familiar with what they want the children to learn from that activity. This ensures that children are making progress towards the early learning goals. Parental support has been improved. An 'activities at home' sheet is given to each parent that offers guidance on the topic that is being covered at nursery and advice on activities that can be carried out at home to further develop the children's interest and learning.

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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 well to adults and peers and are confident to speak in small groups. They initiate conversations and play well together. They are interested in the activities provided and are motivated to learn. Children show increasing independence in selecting and carrying out activities, and persist in these activities, sometimes with adult support. They respond well to adults' high expectations of them.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children enjoy books, hold them the correct way up and turn pages one at a time. They recognise that print carries meaning. They are beginning to recognise their name when it is written down and have an awareness of the letters of the alphabet and initial sounds. Children are extending their vocabulary and use talk to re-live past experiences although find it difficult to listen and take turns in conversation.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children have a good understanding of number. They have opportunities to count in everyday situations. They can count past 5 and some children can count past 20. Children show an interest in simple calculation and are able to solve simple practical mathematical problems in everyday and structured activities. Children recognise shapes, use shape names confidently and are able to recognise shapes in the immediate environment.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are developing good investigation skills, showing curiosity and interest in living things. They confidently discuss similarities and differences in living things. Children use ICT and everyday technology and are able to complete a simple programme with adult support. They are aware of time and place and talk about significant events in their lives. Children are learning about their own and other cultures.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children understand that good practices with regard to hygiene and exercise contribute to good health. They move confidently and manage their bodies well to create intended movements. They have an awareness of space and show respect for others' personal space. Children manoeuvre wheeled toys well, changing direction or stopping to avoid obstacles. They use one handed tools and equipment confidently and appropriately.

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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 exploring colour and texture. They use their senses as appropriate to experiment and investigate objects and living things. They enjoy songs and rhymes and sing simple songs from memory, joining in enthusiastically with actions. Children are developing individual creativity through independent art and craft activities. Although not always freely available, children take part in a variety of role-play situations.

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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: • There are no significant weaknesses to report, but consideration should be given to the following: • Continue to encourage children to listen to each other and take turns in conversation in large group situations, and develop opportunities for children to take part in role-play. • Further develop the assessment of children to help plan the next steps in their learning.

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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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