Little Tots Nursery

The Children's House Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY349641 Inspection date 09/02/2011 Inspector Sheena Bankier

p.1

Setting address 59 Prince of Wales Avenue, READING, RG30 2UJ

p.1

Telephone number 0118 959 1371 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

p.1

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

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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

Little Tots Nursery, previously known as The Children's House, has been operated by Little Tots Nurseries Ltd since 2007. It is a private nursery which follows the Montessori ethos. The nursery is situated in the west of Reading. The nursery meets the needs of families in the local community and the intake of children reflects the diversity in the area. The nursery operates from the ground floor of a 1920's house and has an enclosed garden.

p.4

Description of the setting

The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. They are registered to care for 44 children between the ages of two and eight years. There are currently 98 children on roll in the early years age group. Nursery education funding is available for eligible children from three years of age. The nursery supports children with special educational needs, and children who speak English an additional language. The nursery is open from 8.00am to 6.00pm each weekday for 48 weeks per year. Children attend for a variety of sessions.

p.4

Description of the setting

There are a total of 13 staff who work with the children and the two owners regularly work alongside them in the nursery. Nine staff and both of the owners hold recognised childcare qualifications. Seven staff are training to gain or further their qualifications. There are also four visiting teachers who take the children for cookery, gardening and music sessions.

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 thrive and make very good progress in relation to their starting points at the nursery. Resources are overall, very well considered. The nursery demonstrates a high commitment to sustaining effective continuous improvement. Documentation is mainly comprehensive. Excellent partnerships are in place with parents and others.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 promote and value different languages by displaying words in home languages used by children in the nursery  review the provision of books to ensure there are daily opportunities for children to independently access a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books review and update documentation to maintain records, policies and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of the setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding issues and their responsibilities to children's welfare. The nursery enables staff to access safeguarding training to underpin their knowledge effectively. The safeguarding policy has clear procedures to follow in the event of concerns or allegations arising, although it is not fully up to date with current terms and information. Rigorous checks, practices and risk assessments promote children's safety, good health and wellbeing extensively. Children develop a good awareness of their own safety through reminders from staff, such as, to walk carefully.

p.5

the early years provision

The nursery makes effective continuous improvement. The nursery owners are actively involved in the operation of it, working alongside the staff regularly. They provide a very positive role model to their staff team. The nursery involves staff, parents and children in evaluating its service and practice. This enables the nursery to identify improvements accurately, which are well chosen and targeted. Staff regularly attend in-house and other training to increase their good practice. They carry out their roles and responsibilities efficiently and actively focus their attention on the children.

p.5

the early years provision

The nursery meaningfully embraces the individuality of the staff, children and families. They celebrate a wide range of different religions, cultures and languages very successfully, overall, for example, the nursery invites children's families in to visit who offer experiences, such as, food tasting, traditional outfits, or sing songs in home languages. Words in English are on display in all areas of the premises, along with a small amount of other languages in some areas. A wide range of resources are mostly directly available to children. Books are plentiful and staff use these effectively with the children throughout the day. The book area does not always have a large supply of books for children to independently access.

p.5

the early years provision

The nursery engages extremely well with parents and a wide range of professionals. As a result, children's care and learning is highly consistent, promoting optimum outcomes. Comprehensive information is available to parents, for example, through the nursery website, notice boards and newsletters. Staff are always available to speak to parents and are extremely approachable and welcoming. Subsequently excellent partnerships are in place with parents and others.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled at the nursery. They quickly settle on arrival and confidently decide what to do. Named pegs, drawers and artwork on display make the environment both welcoming and inviting for children. This very positively develops a strong sense of belonging. Children demonstrate a very secure understanding of the routines and expectations of the nursery, for example, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children know to put the resources back after using them. They quickly recognise the music for tidying up and respond accordingly. As a result, children successfully contribute to the care of the environment. Children form good relationships with each other and adults. They are confident to approach adults and engage with them happily, chatting and asking questions. Staff know children well as individuals enabling them to support children purposefully. Staff provide good role models to

p.5

and outcomes for children

children, and the older children provide a very sound example to the younger children. This effectively encourages positive behaviour.

p.6

and outcomes for children

A wide range of experiences, activities and play experiences extends children's progress very well in relation to their starting points. Staff provide meaningful and purposeful interaction and innovative learning experiences for children, for example, they ask excellent questions to support children's thinking skills. Staff underpin and extend children's understanding and recognition of number, colour, shape and letters through excellent large and small groups of children, and individual activities. This enables children to develop significant skills for the future. The well-planned accommodation successfully embraces the six areas of learning in and out of doors. The nursery utilises its own and local facilities to substantially enhance children's learning and development, for example, visiting the local park and post office, and visits to the forest school site. As a result, children explore and investigate different environments, increase their physical skills during varied

p.6

and outcomes for children

activities, and extend their knowledge and understanding of the world they live in.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The high ratio of staff to children ensures children have plenty of time and attention and close supervision. Children with English as an additional language, and children with special educational needs receive very good support. The nursery obtains key words in home languages of children and uses these to support effective communication. Resources, such as, picture communication and a visual timetable, significantly increase children's communication and understanding of routines. Staff make ongoing records of children's progress through short and in-depth observations, photographs and children's own work. They regularly summarise children's progress and identify the next steps in children's learning and development. This very effectively tracks children's progress. Staff share information about children's progress and the next steps they identify. This results in consistency and continuity in promoting children's outcomes. Parents regularly

p.6

and outcomes for children

access their children's progress records and can contribute to these.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children show exceptional independence, for example, children confidently fetch water to add to a bowl to make a 'birthday cake'. They visit the toilet independently, and change into their coats and outdoor footwear with little or no support. Children select resources from the low-level storage units, enabling them to make their own choices and initiate their own play and ideas. Children actively participate in meal and snack times, for example, helping to cut up fruit, or collecting their plate and cutlery. Children follow excellent hygiene routines. Posters provide additional reminders to children regarding the importance of good personal hygiene. Wipes and tissues are easily accessible for children to manage their own self-care. Staff ensure the environment is clean and hygienic through regular cleaning routines. They take thorough precautions to prevent cross- infection, for example, by wearing disposable gloves and aprons when changing

p.6

and outcomes for children

nappies. Food provided by parents is safely stored and a temperature probe checks This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 food has reached a safe temperature when reheated. The nursery very effectively promotes a healthy lifestyle, such as, through activities and discussions, books, role play, and growing fruit and vegetables in the garden and the allotment, which the children harvest and eat. 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.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.8

Stage

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

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9