Bright Horizons Bramingham Day Nursery and Preschool

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 10/02/2005 Inspector Name Julie Youngman (TCCI)

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Bramingham Park Nursery Setting Address 79 Lucas Gardens Luton Bedfordshire LU3 4BG

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Kidsunlimited Limited Address Westhead 10 West Street Alderley Edge Cheshire SK9 7EG

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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

This nursery has been taken over by Kids Unlimited Ltd, providing care for children aged from birth to eight years. The older children attend before and after school, and full-time during school holidays. The older children have their own room. The nursery is a purpose-built, two storey building. The preschool and art school provision use the first-floor, the ground floor is used to care for babies and toddlers. There is also a Laundry, main kitchen, milk kitchen, and separate enclosed outdoor area for each age range of children. There are 22 toilets/hand basins & nappy changing provisions. Office, staff room, 2 staff WC to include 1 disabled. Registered for 134 children, aged six weeks to eight years, of whom are no more than 52 will be under two years. Kids Unlimited Ltd run several nurseries throughout the country, using the same policies and procedures.

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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 of nursery education at Bramingham Park Nursery is acceptable and of good quality overall. Children are making very good progress in personal, social and emotional development, knowledge and understanding of the world and physical development and generally good progress towards the early learning goals in all other areas. The quality of teaching is generally good. Children benefit from the high adult to child ratio and clear routines. Staff question effectively, encourage and praise children, enabling them to feel secure and confident, which encourages high self esteem. Staff have a good understanding of the Foundation Stage and Stepping Stones. There is a clear, manageable planning system and use of evaluative, reflective activity sheets. The Key workers' methods of assessment and record keeping are effective and regularly shared with parents and carers. There is a high expectation of

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How effective is the nursery education?

behaviour, although noise levels are sometimes high; children know the boundaries. Leadership and management of the nursery is very good. The dedicated manager ensures the smooth running of the nursery and is well supported by the management team. She supports her staff to maintain high standards in practice and policy. There is an effective evaluation process of the provision. The foundation stage coordinator is well organised and arranges training for all staff. The partnership with parents is very good. They are provided with an informative prospectus and parents guide, news letters and a daily notice board. Information about the children and their progress is shared regularly. The parents are most appreciative and supportive of the nursery and enjoy attending social events.

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What is being done well?

• positive relationships between children and adults, children are independent, self confident learners with high self esteem in a happy, relaxed atmosphere • good clear manageable planning systems • children enjoy music and movement and have an outstanding sense of space, body awareness, rhythm and coordination

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What needs to be improved?

• the book area to encourage children to read more readily • opportunities for children to count, calculate numbers and problem solve • staff involvement in the home corner

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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

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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: Very Good Children have positive relationships with adults and each other; they are happy, have a sense of belonging, feel valued and welcome. They are keen to learn in the well resourced, stimulating environment, which offers choices. Children know the routines, work cooperatively as part of a group, share and take turns. Children are encouraged to be responsible members of the Nursery, helping with serving lunch and washing up. There is mutual respect within the group and respect for other cultures.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Enthusiastic children listen, discuss topics and are developing a wide vocabulary. Staff question skilfully, introducing older children to phonic sounds and words. Children enjoy reading stories, however, the book area needs further development to encourage children to use it more readily. Children use a wide variety of mark making materials to draw patterns or write in their books; some children write their own names. Clearly labelled resources introduce children to a language rich environment.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Staff provide opportunities for children to use a wide variety of mathematical resources. Children count and understand size and shape, recognise numbers to ten and use mathematical language effectively, particularly during Sticky Kids and the parachute game. Children enjoy a variety of number and board games. Opportunities to develop mathematical ideas, understanding of addition and subtraction and problem solving are limited. Children are encouraged to recreate patterns, sort and sequence.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Curious, motivated children show willingness to discover how and why things work. They take part in experiments at the gardening and science club and are encouraged to understand time. Their awareness of the community is fostered by visits to the local farm, Zoo, and from the emergency services. Cultural festivals and events are celebrated. Children build and construct imaginatively using a variety of resources. The challenging range of electrical equipment introduces children to technology.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children confidently use a large range of challenging equipment, utilising space effectively in a controlled, calm manner. They follow instructions well, have good listening skills and enjoy physical games developing balance and agility. Children enjoy music and movement and have a sense of space, body awareness and rhythm. Their fine motor skills are developed using a variety of tools. Staff encourage thoughtful discussion of self care and healthy eating, giving children choice.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Well planned, stimulating activities in two and three dimensions give children freedom to explore their own ideas, particularly during exciting junk model making. The children express themselves through free drawing, discussion and at cookery club. Staff display children's work attractively. Children enjoy music and movement. They are developing good manipulative skills and respond well to a variety of different stimuli, however, role play in the home corner lacks focus.

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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 the book area to encourage children to read more readily • increase the opportunities for children to count, calculate numbers and problem solve • improve staff involvement in the home corner 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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