Abacus @ Mangotsfield

Abacus Pre-School @ Mangotsfield Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY409900 Inspection date 25/11/2010 Inspector Hilary Tierney

p.1

Setting address United Reformed Church, Cossham Street, Mangotsfield, BRISTOL, BS16 9EP Telephone number 01454867285 Email enquiries@abacuspreschool.co.uk Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

p.1

You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

p.2

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.3

Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

p.3

Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

Description of the setting

Abacus pre-school @ Mangotsfield is one of four private settings that is run and managed by the owners. It opened in 2010 and operates from a church hall in Mangotsfield, South Gloucestershire. Children have access to the main hall and an enclosed outside play area. The pre-school serves the local and surrounding areas.

p.4

Description of the setting

The group is registered on the Early Years Register and may provide care for a maximum of 24 children aged from two years to four years at any one time. They are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.00 am until 3.00pm term times only. They currently have 47 children in the early years age group on roll. The provision offers support to children who have special education needs and/or disabilities, and those who have English as an additional language. There are a total of five staff, all of whom have relevant childcare qualifications. .

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are making good progress in all areas of learning and development. They have built good relationships with staff, and interactions between them are good. A good relationship with parents and carers has developed and information is shared regularly with them. The self-evaluation process has been completed effectively and areas to develop have been clearly identified.

p.4

further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.4

further?

 improve children's access to books  improve hand washing facilities to help reduce the spread of infection.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded effectively. Staff are fully aware of the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about children in their care. Existing injuries and accident and medication records are kept and shared with parents. Clear risk assessments are completed and identify all areas of the environment children use. The premises is secure, and clear procedures are in place to ensure children are safe both inside and outside the building. A visitor's book is used and their identification is checked carefully before allowing them into the building. All staff are suitably checked and children are taught to keep themselves safe through clear explanations from the staff, for example, when using knives to cut fruit at snack This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 time, children are reminded how to hold and carry them. Balanced resources are easily accessible and children are given choices of what

p.4

the early years provision

they would like to play with at the beginning of the session. Children are able to freely access different resources if they choose to. Resources are used effectively to help children learn and progress in all areas of learning. Detailed observations, assessments and planning of activities help staff clearly identify children's next steps and interests. Staff have a good awareness regarding equality and diversity, and they ensure that all children are supported well and that their individual needs are met. The key person system works well, and staff know their children and families well. There is good support offered for children with special educational needs and/or difficulties, and those who have English as an additional language.

p.5

the early years provision

There is a good partnership with parents. They received good information about their child's day through daily communication books and the verbal exchanging of information. Detailed newsletters, notice board and the sharing of children's learning journey books ensure parents are kept informed about their child's development. Parents' comments are very positive about the setting, the staff and the care that is provided. Links with other settings that the children attend are good, and information is shared between them so that all adults contribute to the child's learning process.

p.5

the early years provision

This is the first inspection since the group registered and they have completed the self-evaluation process effectively. All the staff are committed to driving improvement, and have clearly identified areas for improvement and plans for the future of the setting. The staff and management work hard, together, to provide good quality childcare.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and confident at the settings; they feel safe and are developing skills for the future. They are taught to share, take turns and say "please" and "thank you" as they play. Older children interact with younger children well and help them when they are unsure; for example, a new child was shown where to get paper to draw on by an older child. Good relationships have developed between staff and children, and interactions between them are very good. Children are spoken to constantly by staff when taking part in activities, and asked questions to help them think and problem solve. Examples include "how many are there," "what colour is this" and "do you think these live in the sea?"

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children's interests are developed well and they enjoy exploring. Staff set up a tank of water with sand in the bottom, and placed plastic animals in it such as whales, crabs and lobsters, as well as shells and stones. Children enjoyed exploring and discussing what they would find at the seaside, and in the sea, during this activity. Children know the routines of the setting well, and understand that when the tambourine is rattled they need to stand still and listen. Staff use sign language effectively with children when singing songs, and all children join in singing and doing the actions. Children enjoy being creative and take great This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 pleasure in showing their work to others, such as their drawings and paintings. Children are able to confidently use scissors and are starting to mark make. However, due to books not being attractively presented, children do not access

p.5

and outcomes for children

these alone and were only seen having a story read to them at lunchtime.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about healthy lifestyles. Children understand the routine of hand washing before snacks, lunchtimes and after using the toilet. However, a bowl and hand towel is regularly used so children can wash their hands after creative activities. The water is changed so children are able to wash their hands before snacks, but no soap was provided and they all used the same hand towel to dry their hands. Paper towels are used in the toilets, and occasionally in the play room, so children can dry their hands, but again there was a limited soap supply for them. This does not help to prevent the spread of infections. The provided snacks are healthy, and dietary needs are catered for. Children enjoyed the café style snack, where two children were giving out the drinks and food to the rest of the children, who queued up to ask for the food they wanted. They had a play till and all items were scanned before the children could

p.6

and outcomes for children

take the food; they 'paid' for it before going to sit with their friends to eat their snack. Children have access to an enclosed play area where they enjoy exploring the outside. They are able to ride bikes, build towers and count how many they can get and how tall it will go. They enjoy "painting with water and soap" on the walls and floor. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7