The Purbeck School

Hampstead Activity Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 148737 Inspection date 14/12/2010 Inspector Helen Steven

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Setting address Christ Church, Hampstead Square, London, NW3 1AB

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Telephone number 020 7435 0054 Email 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. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as

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you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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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

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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.

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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).

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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

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Description of the setting

Hampstead Activity Nursery is one of two nurseries run by Activity Nurseries Limited. It opened in 2000 and operates from three rooms within a converted church. Rooms are for sole use during operation with access to further space within the main part of the church. Children have access to a secure patio area which surrounds the building thus offering children outdoor play. The nursery is situated in a residential area of Hampstead which is in the London Borough of Camden. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm, 47 weeks each year. Children attend on both full or part time basis.

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Description of the setting

The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of 33 children in the early years age range. There are currently 41 children aged from one to under four years on roll. The children are grouped by age with two groups for babies and toddlers and one for older children. There are seven members of staff, five of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications to at least NVQ level 2. The nursery provides funded early education for 10 three and four-year-olds.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The setting is not currently meeting all specific legal requirements. Children are not adequately safeguarded and some required documentation is not in place. There is no self-evaluation system in place to monitor all aspects of the setting in order to identify weaknesses and promote continuous improvement of the provision and outcomes for children. Children's individual needs are known to their key person and the setting has positive relationships with children's parents and carers which contribute to the children's care. Children engage in a variety of activities that adequately support their journey towards the early learning goals although observations, assessments and planning are not fully effective.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 make sure that all supervisors and managers hold a full and relevant level 3 qualification (as defined by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC)) (Suitability of adults) 31/01/2011

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further?

 make sure that at least one person who has a current 31/01/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 paediatric first aid certificate is on the premises at all times when children are present (Suitable people)  ensure that records are easily accessible and available for inspection by Ofsted (Documentation) 31/01/2011

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further?

 ensure that all persons over 16 years who work directly with the children undertake required checks including an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau and evidence is available of this (CRB) (Suitability of adults) 31/01/2011

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further?

 obtain prior written parental permission for each and every medicine before any medication is given, with specific regard to children with long-term medical needs (Promoting good health) 31/01/2011

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further?

 ensure risk assessments of the premises, equipment and anything with which a child may come into contact, are conducted at least once in each calendar year and immediately, where the need for an assessment arises (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 31/01/2011

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 create a stimulating outdoor environment and plan exciting outdoor learning opportunities, including making effective use of the local neighbourhood, to encourage children's interest and curiosity across all areas of learning throughout the year  strengthen the process of observation and assessment in order to effectively plan for each child to support personalised learning and involve parents in their child's continuous learning and development  develop the use of self-evaluation to recognise the importance of continuous improvement and to develop a culture of reflective practice  provide appropriate furniture for babies who wish to relax or sleep.

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding are not robust. Although a suitable recruitment procedure is in place, this is not fully verified because there is not adequate information available at inspection to demonstrate that Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosures have been obtained for all adults working in the nursery. This is a breach of a specific legal requirement. A thorough risk assessment for the premises and activities has not been carried out since February 2009 as required in order to ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum. Operational daily checklists are in place some of which relate to safety; however the last available document is dated August 2010. Currently the baby room door cannot be closed; therefore the area is not secure and in the event of a fire. The problem with the door has been noted by the manager but it is awaiting maintenance attention. Pull- string bags hanging on pegs are accessible to babies and present a hazard.

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the early years provision

Overall, staff have a basic understanding of signs and symptoms of child abuse This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and demonstrate sufficient awareness of what appropriate action to take if there are concerns in order to protect children in their care.

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the early years provision

Since the last inspection there has been a change to the management of the provision. However, the provider has not ensured that all persons in charge hold a full and relevant level 3 qualification (as defined by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC)). This is a breach of requirements. Some documentation is not readily available for inspection as required. For example, verification by the United Kingdom National Recognition Information Centre (UK Naric) on the comparability of international qualifications held by staff. The manager reports at inspection that there are no staff in place who hold a valid first aid certificate. This is a breach of requirements as at least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate must be on the premises at all times when children are present.

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the early years provision

There are a suitable range of policies and procedures in place to support children's welfare. Since the last inspection they have expanded the safeguarding policy as requested, to include the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff. There are suitable records in place for the administration of short term medication. However, there is no prior written parental permission in place for children requiring long term medication, including invasive procedures such as an epipen. This is a breach of requirements. Some records lack required details, for example, children's full names are not recorded routinely in accident records.

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the early years provision

A lack of effective self evaluation has resulted in them failing to recognise that they are not meeting a number of regulations. They have taken advice from the local authority development workers and have obtained a recording system to encourage reflection on their practice; however this has not yet commenced. Recommendations set at the last inspection have been addressed which has improved children's understanding of preventing cross infection and have planned outdoor physical play. The premises are for sole use of the nursery during opening times; however they have to walk through a sectioned off area of the church to move between rooms. The two to three year olds have access to a large room set out into curriculum areas. Babies are based in a room adjacent to the kitchen and as a result this room is used for access. Pre-school children are based in the smallest room, staff rotate resources and children can help themselves to an

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the early years provision

appropriate range of resources of their choice stored outside their room. Some babies are sleeping in their buggies and others in 'bouncy chairs' at their regular sleep times. No cots are available for babies who do not sleep on the mattresses used in the nursery.

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the early years provision

Parents are positive about the group and receive verbal feedback each day about their child's progress. They make positive comments about staff and say their children have a strong bond with their key person. The provider reports she has sought feedback from parents in the form of a questionnaire, although details are not available for inspection. A wealth of thank you cards from previous parents adorn the lobby. Staff report that they work in partnership with various agencies as and when required to ensure children's individual needs are met. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Although children are settled in the nursery and have developed friendly relationships with the staff, their safety cannot be fully assured as the provider has not been robust in areas of safeguarding. The staff have recently begun to use a new system to record observations and monitor progress. Not all staff have linked their 'next steps' into the plans to ensure individualised learning. Plans are not routinely evaluated, they are displayed in the lobby for parents, away from the rooms where they are being implemented. Outdoor play is now included in the planning, however this is primarily for physical development especially if the weather is not clement. Children do not have the opportunity to experience learning opportunities in the community as no outings are undertaken. For example, children are interested in trains and tube maps, however no visits to a local train station are undertaken to enhance their knowledge and understanding

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and outcomes for children

Babies crawl around the floor pushing and chasing toy vehicles. They have a sense of belonging as pictures of familiar adults are displayed throughout the nursery. Their independence is supported as they are afforded time to feed themselves, assisted by their keyperson when required. Electronic toys are set out for them to explore. Staff sing to sooth babies to sleep and develop their language skills. Babies have some access to heuristic play, which is planned during the week, but at times all resources set out are plastic.

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and outcomes for children

Young children take pleasure in sharing books with staff who make themselves available to read throughout the day. Children enjoy water play, pouring from containers and watering cans into the tray and watch as it drips onto the floor. They move beads along the bead runs and connect construction toys together, sorting and matching colours. They develop their fine motor skills by cutting out pictures from magazines and have opportunities to create collages.

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and outcomes for children

Children partake in role play, sharing ideas with each other as they act out trips to the hospital. They inform a staff member she has a temperature of '48', they discuss how high this is. Children practice ball and racket skills at their weekly tennis lesson, carefully balancing the ball and picking it up when it falls. Children have opportunities to learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, by undertaking regular fire drills. Children are in the process of learning to share and take turns. Staff are creative in their approach, for example, using the 'selfish crocodile' as a vehicle for discussion and as result children gain an understanding of behavioural expectations. Children read the story and explain to visitors the error of the crocodiles ways. They say sorry if they have behaved unkindly to their friends and recall what saying sorry means to them, 'not doing it again'. Children begin to learn about their own lives and the lives of others, for instance, as they

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and outcomes for children

celebrate a variety of festivals such as Diwali. They are reminded to cover their mouths when coughing to prevent the spread of germs. Children benefit from a choice of vegetarian food cooked each day on the premises. Food is plentiful and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children are able to serve themselves. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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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

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 4 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 4 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 4

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 4 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 4 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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

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