Earlyworld Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 24/11/2003 Inspector Name Mary Anne Henderson

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Earlyworld Nursery Setting Address Oxon Business Park Welshpool Road SHREWSBURY Shropshire

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Earlyworld Ltd Address Collina House, Holsworth Park Oxon Business Park, Bicton Heath Shrewsbury Shropshire SY3 5HJ

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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

Earlyworld Nursery opened in 1996. It operates from nine rooms in a purpose-built building situated three miles from the centre of Shrewsbury. The nursery serves the local areas. There are currently 197 children attending aged from 2 months to 5 years. This includes 41 funded 3 year olds and 22 funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports children with special needs and those with English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week all year round from 07:30 to 18:00. The group employs 38 members of staff, more than 75% have early years qualification to NVQ level 3. The setting receives support from a teacher mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Earlyworld Nursery provides good care for children. The nursery provides a homely and child-orientated environment for the children. The outdoor play areas are well organised to meet the needs of the children attending. There is a good range of resources and activities to stimulate children's interest including resources and activities to promote positive images of diversity. The staff are supportive in encouraging children's thinking through the use of open questioning. The staff ratios meet requirements, however the nursery will need to ensure staff are well deployed to meet the children's needs at all times of the day. The space available to the children is well organised and children are able to make their own free choice of many of the resources on low shelving. Risk assessment is carried out by staff at the nursery but must include the risk assessment of the heaters in the children's rooms. The organisation of the rooms

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How good is the Day Care?

ensures there are separate areas for nappy changing, however the nursery will need

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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 to ensure the use of protective clothing minimises cross infection at all times. The nursery have also been asked to ensure drinking water is available in the children's rooms at all times. There are positive relationships with parents who are provided with written and verbal feedback on the day to day care of their child. The parents are provided with planning that would extend the child's learning at home to consolidate their learning. There are newsletters and staff are available should parents need to talk about their child's care and development. Strategies outlined for behaviour management work well in practice and the staff have high expectations of the children.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the time of the last inspection the nursery was asked to provide a further toilet and washbasin for children's use. The nursery have now made an adult toilet available for older children to use and they have put a step up in the toilet to meet the needs of the children using it. The nursery were also asked to ensure the children's registers show actual times of arrival and departure. This has been implemented and clear records are now in place.

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What is being done well?

• Children's access to a broad range of activities to stimulate learning in all areas of development. • Space is well organised to meet the needs of the children. • There is a broad range of activities and resources to promote positive images of diversity. • Strategies used to manage children's behaviour work well in practice. • Parents are provided with ideas of how to extend their child's learning at home.

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What needs to be improved?

• the deployment of staff to ensure children's welfare needs are met • the risk assessment of the heaters in the children's rooms • the use of protective clothing to minimise cross infection • The availability of drinking water in the children's rooms.

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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 2 Ensure deployment of staff effectively meets the welfare needs of the children. 7 Ensure the use of protective clothing minimises the risk of cross infection. 8 Ensure drinking water is freely available to children throughout the day.

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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?

Earlyworld Nursery offers very good nursery education where children enjoy learning through a range of well resourced and interesting activities. The staff's knowledge of the children and their support help children to make very good progress toward the early learning goals. Staff work well together and with other professionals to meet the needs of the children. Staff have a good understanding of the Foundation Stage curriculum and the early learning goals. They extend children's learning by encouraging the children to think and by asking open-ended questions during planned activities. They provide a wide range of planned learning opportunities, which are fun and interesting for the children. Staff keep records of children's development and progression through observation and ongoing assessment. Leadership amd management is very good. The supervisors provide the detailed planning of the curriculum but all staff have the opportunity to contribute. Staff have

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How effective is the nursery education?

regular supervision and appraisals and undertake training to ensure their skills are regularly updated. Partnership with parents is very good. Parents receive good information about their child's progress and they are encouraged to talk to the staff on a regular basis.

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What is being done well?

• There are many opportunities for the children to improve on their communication, language and literacy skills, they all enjoy well-structured circle time when they participate with confidence. • Mathematical development is encouraged with well planned sessions where the children have opportunities to count, calculate and become aware of shape, space and measure. • There are many opportunities to encourage physical development. The children enjoy outdoor play in the well equipped garden and they are learning about the importance of personal hygiene. • Children express themselves freely through a varied range of activities which encourage creative development, they are able to describe what they see and hear and they enjoy exploring different textures. • Staff work well together as a staff team providing children with an emotionally secure learning environment making the children happy and confident learners.

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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 range of opportunities for children to develop their independence, e.g at snack and meal times • opportunities for the children to use the local and wider environment to foster children's interest in the natural world.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Generally good progress has been made since the last inspection. There is now the opportunity for the children to access and experiment with mathematical resources during free play sessions. There has been some progress made in giving the children opportunities to explore the local and wider environment.

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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 make very good progress in personal, social and emotional development. They confidently express their needs and ideas and relate well to each other and adults. They are making good progress in developing their self care skills but independence could be further encouraged at snack and meal times.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in communication, language and literacy. The children are confident and fluent speakers, they engage easily in conversations with other children and adults. They enjoy looking at books and listening to stories. They are making good progress in recognising and sounding familiar letters and words and they have opportunities to write in practical situations.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children's progress in mathematical development is very good. The staff use every opportunity to encourage the children to practice counting. Some of the children can recognise numerals up to ten. The children learn about shape, size and patterns through a varied range of games and activities which are often linked to the topic.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children's progress in knowledge and understanding of the world is very good. They talk about themselves and their families and the differences between families. They share information with the group on things that have happened to them. They ask questions about how things work but their opportunities to explore the local and wider environment could be increased.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children's progress in physical development is very good. They enjoy action rhymes and they are confident when taking part in running and climbing activities. Plans show that the children take part in music and movement activities and they are at present practicing the nativity play. They handle scissors, craft and drawing materials skilfully. Children learn about the importance of hygiene and why they wash their hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

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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 making very good progress in creative development. They express themselves freely through a range of activities such as role play, dressing up, painting, collage, play dough and drawing. They describe what they see and hear and they enjoy exploring different textures.

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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: • Children's independence could be encouraged at snack and meal times. • More opportunities could be made available for the children to explore the local and wider environment.

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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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