Tiny Town Kindergarten

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 26/01/2004 Inspector Name Christine Cutts

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Tiny Town Kindergarten Setting Address 1Mount Pleasant Tadley Basingstoke Hampshire RG26 4JH

p.1

REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The partnership of SARAH COLE & HANNAH LUCAS

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name SARAH COLE & HANNAH LUCAS Address C/O TINY TOWN KINDERGARTEN 1 MOUNT PLEASANT TADLEY HAMPSHIRE RG26 4JH

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

The Tiny Town Kindergarten opened in 2001. It operates from a main room, with smaller craft, sleep room and access to an out-side play area. the accommodation has three child size toilets, office, kitchen and cloakroom area. The property is a converted shop situated in the village of Tadley near Basingstoke and serves the local community. There are currently 26 children age two to five years on the roll. This includes eight three year olds and seven funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports some children with special needs and welcomes children who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week all year round, from 08:00 to 18:00. Five members of staff work part-time or full-time with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NNEB or NVQ level.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Tiny Town Kindergarten provides satisfactory care for children in a warm and welcoming environment. The accommodation allows for a variety of activities and very good resources are made available for the children to choose from. Qualified teaching staff and management work well as a team to support the children's learning. Relevant documentation is in place to enable the kindergarten to care for the children, although it lacks necessary details in some areas. Children's health and welfare are well promoted with staff encouraging good health routines. Some issues of health and safety lack detail. Effective risk assessment is in place. High staff ratios enable the staff to spend time getting to know the children

p.2

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 and identify the individual needs of the children. The kindergarten has effective special needs policies and children with specail needs are well supported in the group. Child protection issues are less well promoted. A good range of resources and planned activities promote children's understanding of others and provides positive images of the diversity in our society. The children are supported and encouraged in their learning with planned and unplanned activities to meet the developmental needs of children, covering all areas of learning. Staff promote equal opportunities by monitoring children's individual needs and by ensuring that all activities and resources are made available to all children. Children's behaviour is generally good in a lively and busy atmosphere, supported

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

by staff who help the children understand the rules of the kindergarten. Parents support the kindergarten and very positive comments received show that they are happy with the care given and the information on their children progress and care.

p.3

What has improved since the last inspection?

The previous inspection was a transitional inspection and did not highlight areas of improvement

p.3

What is being done well?

• Effective organisation and high staff levels allow the kindergarten to offer a wide range of activities for the children to choose from. • Very good range of activities available very much enjoying enjoyed by the children who were active and involved in their play. • Good use is made of the accommodation to offer children a warm and welcoming environment in which to play and learn and to offer children experience of large physical activities. • Effective system in place for the identification, monitoring and support of children with special needs; The kindergarten work closely with parents and other agencies to help meet the individual needs of the children.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• Documentation including: the child protection policy to include informing Ofsted of any allegation made against the kindergarten or a member of staff. Child protection information available to parents. • The accident and medical procedures to include informing Ofsted of any serious accident or injury or notifiable illness to children in their care. Written parental consent for emergency medical treatment and fire records to be maintained regularly. • Knowledge of child protection.

p.3

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

p.3

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.

p.4

by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 13 develop staff's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues 14 Review documentation including: the child protection policy to include informing Ofsted of any allegation made against the kindergarten or a member of staff. Child protection information to be made available to parents. 14 Review the accident and medical procedures to include informing Ofsted of any serious accident or injury or notifiable illness to children in their care. Obtain written parental consent for emergency medical treatment and ensure fire records are maintained regularly.

p.4

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

p.4

How effective is the nursery education?

The provision is acceptable and of good quality. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals, with areas of strength in personal social and emotional and mathematical development. The kindergarten offers children a welcoming and stimulating environment in which good use is made of the accommodation and resources to promote children's learning. The out-side play area is used well by the kindergarten to promote physical development. Children's behaviour is generally good with staff supporting children to develop an understanding of right and wrong and the rules of the kindergarten. The quality of teaching is generally good with staff having a secure knowledge of the individual children and their progress on the stepping stones. Children are well supported in their use of technology, and to develop an understanding of different cultures and beliefs. The opportunities for children to use writing for a variety of

p.5

How effective is the nursery education?

purposes are less well supported. A very good range of practical activities are provided for the children to develop mathematical concepts. Staff praise, encourage and support children's learning and provide good quality activities for children to play with imagination. Staff support children's spontaneous play well, building on children's own interests and experiences. Areas of creative development are less well supported. Management and leadership is generally good with staff working well together, the supervisor is committed to building good staff relationships. A shared commitment to early years is clearly visible and management and staff are committed to extending their understanding in early years education. Partnership with parents and carers is generally good. They are supportive and actively involved in the life of the kindergarten. Parents are supportive of staff and contribute to topics. Comments received show that they appreciate the information

p.5

What is being done well?

• Children are confident, respect others and behave very well, following the example and guidelines set down by staff. • Staff encourage, praise and support children's learning, giving the children the opportunity to persevere and complete tasks. • Staffs secure knowledge of stepping stones and early learning goals enables them to ensure the accommodation and resources are well used to provide fun activities that promotes learning for, all children including those with

p.5

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 special needs. • There are effective relationships between the kindergarten, parents and carers to support children's home/school learning.

p.5

What needs to be improved?

• The opportunity for children to explore and express their thoughts, feelings and ideas through a variety of media. • The opportunity for children to develop an understanding of the importance of staying healthy and changes that happen to their bodies when they are active.

p.6

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

p.6

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are active in their learning, are generally well behaved, show confidence and are developing independence skills. Staff give children the opportunity to talk about themselves and their experiences individually or in a group, building children's self-esteem. The children work well together and co-operate to achieve tasks, they share and take turns and understand the rules of the kindergarten.

p.7

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children talk confidently and use language effectively to negotiate and make their feelings understood, building their competence with language through social interactions. Children show an enjoyment of books choosing to 'read' to adults and others, their understanding of print and how books work are well supported. Children recognise initial letters by shape and sound, recognising names, however there are limited opportunities for children to write for a variety of purposes

p.7

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children use mathematical language with confidence, they enjoy counting and freely count up to 10 and beyond with adult support, recognise numbers, name shapes and use mathematical language. Children enjoy the very good practical activities staff provide to develop mathematical concepts. Staff provide less opportunities to use calculation and problem solving in everyday situations and practical activities. Children enjoy familiar counting songs.

p.7

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Staff encourage children to investigate, observe and explore using their senses through a variety of activities and challenge and question children to develop their knowledge. Children learn about growth and change in the natural world collecting items from the out-side environment and with planned topics. Children use of computers is well supported and the pre-school provide a good range of resources to support children's understanding of other cultures and beliefs.

p.7

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children's physical development is progressing through participation in well planned activities. They use tools and are developing good pencil control. Children use large apparatus, such as climbing frames and balance equipment. Good use is made of the out-side play area to promote children's physical development. Children's understanding of health and bodily awareness is less well supported.

p.7

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

p.7

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good There are some well planned opportunities for children to express themselves through a variety of media, however these are not all available on a regular basis. Staff allow children the freedom and space to develop involved imaginative play in the home corner and with small world play.

p.8

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

p.8

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.

p.9

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• Extend opportunities for children to express their thoughts, feelings and ideas through a variety of media. • Develop children's understanding of the importance of staying healthy and changes that happen to their bodies when they are active.

p.9

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.

p.9

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

p.9

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

p.10

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.11

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.

p.11

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.

p.11

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.

p.11

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

p.11