Busy Bees Day Nursery at Birmingham Dartmouth Circus

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 27/10/2004 Inspector Name Jennifer Turner

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Aston Locks Day Nursery Setting Address Richard Street Aston Birmingham West Midlands B7 4AA

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Princess Christian Nurseries Ltd 861615

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Princess Christian Nurseries Ltd Address Anglia House Clarendon Court, Carrs Road Cheadle Cheshire SKA 2LA

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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

Aston Locks Day Nursery is one of a large group of nurseries run by Nord Anglia. The nursery operates from a purpose build single storey building. Four rooms are used for the care of children, in which children are grouped according to age. A large enclosed outdoor play area is also available for the use for the use of children. The nursery is set just outside of Birmingham city centre and is surrounded by business developments. The nursery caters for full and part-time children's places. This includes education grant funded places for three and four year olds. Aston Locks Day Nursery operates five days a week all year round and is open 07.30 - 18.00. Staff currently operate various shift patterns. One hundred percent of staff working with children hold level two and level three early years child care qualifications. There are no children with special needs presently attending the nursery. The nursery has contact with a Birmingham City Council Special Needs Advisor,

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Information about the setting

regarding the development of related policies.

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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?

Aston Lock Day Nursery offers very good quality provision overall which helps children make very good progress towards the early learning goals. Teaching is very good. The key strengths in all six areas of learning are due to the skilful interactions of the staff in engaging children in conversations. Staff's developing knowledge of the foundation stage enables them to organise activities that are suited to the children's stage of development and progress. There are satisfactory arrangements in place to provide effective support. There are satisfactory arrangements in place to provide effective support for children with special needs and with English as a second language. Children are encouraged to express their ideas and thoughts verbally. However, more able children do not always have opportunity to further develop their mathematical concepts of larger numbers or to explore different sounds through

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How effective is the nursery education?

music. The assessment and planning of children's learning is very good. It matches the stepping-stones and informs the long, medium and short-term plans. Children behave well in response to the high expectations and support of the staff team. The nursery has a very good range of equipment to cover all areas of learning. Leadership and management are very good. The success of the setting is due to competent leadership and a well-structured management system. These ensure a shared understanding of good early years practice and a commitment to ongoing staff development. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents are well informed about their children's progress and operation of the nursery. Written information is provided on a daily basis and parents are encouraged to be involved in their children's learning.

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What is being done well?

• Staff find out all they can about children's specific needs. They work in partnership with parents, carers and outside agencies to ensure children develop and progress. Staff use daily routines to reinforce the children's understanding in all six areas of learning. • They consistently use opportunities and resources to allow children to practice and repeat activities to build their confidence. Staff are aware of the development needs of the young group and allow sufficient time for them to develop at their own pace. • Parents are kept very well informed of their child's progress. There is an effective system in place to ensure parents have access to their child's records and parents are encouraged to be involved in their children's

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What is being done well?

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

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What needs to be improved?

• the opportunities to extend mathematical concepts for the more able children • the opportunities for children to explore different forms of music.

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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 are interested, excited and motivated to learn. They willingly try new activities and work well together, sharing and taking turns. Children behave well and have good relationships with staff and each other. Children are developing a sense of independence when selecting resources and a level of confidence with their personal independence, particularly as they manage their self care.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children interact, listen and enthusiastically respond to each other and staff. They are developing a keen sense of humour and use descriptive language to express feelings and discuss elements of stories. They listen to stories and enjoy books for pleasure. Some children respond to sound prompts to link sounds with letters in their names. They are beginning to make marks on paper and some can write their names independently.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are progressing towards using and understanding numbers up to 10. They enjoy numeric songs and rhymes. They use appropriate language to compare numbers. Children use resources to develop their understanding of matching shapes. Children use descriptive language to describe size and quantity. More able children are developing their understanding of the early stages of recognising numerals past 10 although, opportunities to extend this is limited.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children use all senses to explore. They ask questions about how things work and why things happen, for example when mixing colours and paint. Children talk about their environment and features of the natural world. They are beginning to learn about various cultures and beliefs. Children build and construct a wide range of objects and natural materials. They enjoy mechanical toys, and use the computer confidently.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move confidently with control and co-ordination. They have a sense of space and enjoy vigorous activities, but the lack of outdoor equipment limits their gross motor skills. They are aware of their own physical needs and understand good hygiene practice, for example they know how and why they wash their hands. Children are increasing in confidence when using a range of small and large equipment and progressing towards handling tools and malleable materials with increasing control.

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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: Very Good Children excitedly explore different textures, shape and form. Children are involved with their role play and organise their own games. They use their imagination when pretending to be families. Children sing songs and say rhymes from memory. Children respond well to rhythm and recognise tunes although the lack of musical instruments prevents them from exploring sounds. The children freely express and communicate ideas using body language and gestures.

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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 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 identified, however consideration should be given to how staff extend mathematics for the more able children and extend the opportunities for children to link letters to sounds and to explore different kinds of music.

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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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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