Busy Bees Day Nursery at London Excel

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 23/02/2005 Inspector Name Shawleene Campbell

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care, Creche Day Care Setting Name Leapfrog Day Nursery (Excel) Setting Address Royal Victoria Docks London E16 1XL

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Leapfrog Day Nurseries (Trading) Ltd 3229362

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Leapfrog Day Nurseries (Trading) Ltd Address Central Office Second Avenue, Centrum 100 Burton Upon Trent STAFFS DE14 2WF

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of 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 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

Leapfrog Day Nursery (Excel) is part of a nursery chain run by Leapfrog Day Nurseries (Trading) Ltd. It opened in 2002 and operates from three separate children's areas, each of these is divided into 3 separate rooms. It is a purpose built nursery and is situated in the surrounding area of the Excel exhibition Centre. A maximum of 107 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 07:00 to 19:00 all year round. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 71 children on roll aged from 0 to 5 years on roll, of these 15 children receive funding for nursery education. Children attending are from the local and surrounding areas. The nursery currently supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs 22 staff. Eight of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications. Five staff are working towards a qualification.

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Information about the setting

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

The provision at Leapfrog Day Nursery (Excel) is generally good. Children are keen to learn new experiences. They are well behaved and are starting to form good relationships. The quality of teaching is generally good. Staff know their key children well, and children's progress reports clearly identify what children can do and their next steps. Though short term and long term plans require further development to ensure all six areas of learning are fully met, and challenges are set for more able children. Staff use effective questioning techniques to extend children's vocabulary. They work well as a team and are consistent in practices, resulting in children behaving well. However adult led activities do not always engage children, nor promote sufficient creativity and imagination. Leadership and management is generally good. The manager is committed to providing good quality education for children. Regular staff meetings and external

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How effective is the nursery education?

and internal training opportunities provide occasions for staff to share ideas and enhance their teaching practices. The manager is new to the setting and has recognised some of the weaknesses and strengths of the setting. The group are currently receiving support from the early years partnership. Partnership with parents is very good. A range of information is given to parents regarding the organisation. Parents are warmly welcomed and ongoing communication with key workers keeps them informed of their children's development. Parents are invited to attend events and outings, and their views are welcomed by means of an annual questionnaire.

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What is being done well?

• Children are confident speakers, and staff use good questioning techniques to extend children's vocabulary. They are beginning to understand how books work and that print carries meaning. • Children explore a wide range of mathematical concepts and use mathematical language confidently and accurately. They are able to count up to 10 and beyond. • Relationships with children and their parents is good. Planning clearly identifies what children can do and the next steps. There are effective procedures in place to share information with parents regarding children's development.

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What needs to be improved?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • Planning to be further developed to ensure all six areas of learning are fully covered, and daily activities to challenge more able children. • The practical opportunities to develop more able children's choice and decision making. • The daily planning of activities to provide an equal balance of adult led and child initiated activities.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

This is the group's first funded nursery education inspection.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are well behaved and help tidy up after activities. They are developing with their peers turn taking and sharing skills. Children are keen to learn new experiences. Though there are limited opportunities for children to choose activities spontaneously and set their own challenges or develop independent skills through practical activities.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children enjoy looking at books, and are able to predict event and understand print carries meaning. They have good opportunities to extend their vocabulary. Children are confident speakers and more able children are able to recognise the first letter of their name. However there are limited opportunities for children to scribe with a purpose and mark make.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children use mathematical language confidently. They are able to count up to 10 and beyond, and are developing the concept of big, small size and measures. Children are able to recognise a range of colours and staff provide good opportunities for children to solve problems through matching and sorting games. The opportunities to introduce children to simple addition and subtraction requires development.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good There are good role play activities on offer allowing children to imitate real life situations, and they regularly participate in celebrating festivals. They use a range of resources to build and construct, such as junk modelling. The opportunities for children to explore the natural world and living things are limited. In addition the provision for technology and resources that promote equality of opportunity need development.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good There are good opportunities for children to use small and large scale apparatus. Children are developing a good understanding of spatial awareness. The opportunities for children to develop throwing, catching, balancing, hopping and skipping skills need improvement. Staff provide opportunities for children to talk about being healthy, such as brushing teeth. Children regularly engage in music and dance sessions.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are developing their skills in imagination and creativity through role play activities. There are first hand experiences on offer for children to explore their senses, such as finger painting. Children are encouraged to express themselves through music and movement activities, though the provision for children to participate in playing musical instruments is limited. The opportunities for children to access craft materials spontaneously need development.

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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of 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

• Develop planning to ensure all six areas of learning are effectively covered. • Increase practical opportunities for more able children to develop individual choice and independence. • Further develop the planning of activities to offer a balance of adult led and child initiated activities.

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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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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