Wetherby-Pembridge Minors (Notting Hill)

The Minors Nursery School Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY295790 Inspection date 07/02/2011 Inspector Helen Steven

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Setting address Lower Floor, 10 Pembridge Square, London, W2 4ED

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Telephone number 020 7727 7253 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

The Minors Nursery School has been registered since September 2004. The provider of this setting is Alpha Plus Group. The premises are situated in a basement property in Notting Hill Gate in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Access to the provision is via steps. There are four main play rooms and an enclosed outdoor patio area.

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Description of the setting

This setting is open Monday to Friday term time only. Children attend either morning or afternoon sessions. The nursery is open from 9am to 12 noon and 1pm to 4pm. They are registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of 45 children at any one time. There are currently 88 children in the early years age range on roll, some of whom attend less than five sessions. The nursery provides a service for children with English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

There are 10 members of staff including the manager, of whom nine hold early years qualifications. There are three staff who hold Early Years Professional Status.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children thrive in a nurturing and stimulating environment, where their care and education needs are met comprehensively. Staff are committed and enthusiastic and are supported effectively by a dedicated management team who is passionate about meeting the needs of all children. The uniqueness of each and every child and their family is highly valued and the nursery effectively promotes inclusion across all aspects of the provision. Excellent use of self-evaluation and reflection by everyone, along with a commitment to build upon existing practice, means that the capacity to maintain continuous improvement is considerable. There are resourceful systems in place for working in partnership with parents and carers and involving them in their child's care and education.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 increasing the representations of children's creativity showing how they represent their own ideas rather than adult-directed work with an 'end product'. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Highly effective systems are in place to safeguard children while at the nursery. Comprehensive awareness of safeguarding issues, along with regular staff training ensures children are safe and secure. Children are safeguarded by extensive recruitment and vetting procedures, including the successful induction of new staff. Risk assessments completed for all aspects of the nursery ensure risks to children are identified and minimised. The nursery is led and managed by a highly committed management team whose passion for the well-being of children is evident throughout the nursery. Staff are extremely positive about the nursery. They feel they work well as a team sharing information and ideas on a daily basis, thus ensuring children's achievement and well-being are significant.

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the early years provision

The manager and staff work together to identify areas for improvement through effective use of self-evaluation systems and reflection. Peer observations are ongoing to help staff develop their good practice and learn from each other. The recommendation made at the last inspection was effectively addressed and improved the outcomes for children. The manager has supported staff in raising the level of their qualifications. As a result three of the team now have Early Years Practitioner Status. Children's views and suggestions are taken on board by the setting to enhance the provision and improve the outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Children thrive in a stimulating environment, which is conducive to learning. It is reorganised throughout the session to make best use of the available space. Furniture, equipment and resources are of high quality and suitable for the ages of children to support their learning and development. Free-flow access to the small patio area provides children with a varied range of experiences and fresh air. The promotion of inclusion is clearly at the heart of this provision and children demonstrate a true sense of belonging. All children develop quickly in relation to their starting points. The key-person approach ensures that children and families are supported to ensure individual needs are identified and acted upon. The setting is highly committed to working in partnerships with others and takes a lead role in establishing effective working relationships. Channels of communication between local schools where many children intend to move on to are well

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the early years provision

developed. Children return for a party during their first term at 'big school' to meet up with their friends and staff. Relationships with parents and carers are highly positive. Parents have nothing but praise for the nursery and report they feel lucky that their children have a place here. They reflect that the staff team is the key strength of the nursery as they are 'very nurturing' and quickly get to know their children well. Parents feel involved in their children's learning and receive lots of verbal information about their children's well-being and learning progress. Weekly 'stay and play' sessions enable parents to become actively involved in the nursery. It provides time for children to show their parents what they enjoy doing and affords parents time to read and contribute to their children's learning journals.

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the early years provision

A comprehensive set of policies and procedures is shared with parents and these are reviewed regularly. The manager is developing the uncollected child policy to ensure it reflects the procedure and is more explicit for staff members to use as a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 working document if the need arises.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy, relaxed and content. They make excellent progress in their learning and development in relation to their starting points. Staff are in the process of developing a 'gifted and talented' policy to ensure that they effectively support the needs of all children in their care. Planning is completed each half term and covers interesting themes and topics that successfully support all areas of learning. These plans are very flexible and change according to evaluations and observations of the children. Weekly planning is clearly displayed, however, this is a basic record/prompt of the activities. The differentiation and learning intentions are discussed amongst the staff team prior to each session so that children's individual needs are met. Each session is evaluated to inform children's profiles and influence further planning. Children's individual profiles evidence children's consistent improvements in all areas. Observations are

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and outcomes for children

supported with photographs and some examples of children's work. Children throughout the nursery are inquisitive learners and are highly confident. Older children confidently question what visitors are doing and happily display their skills in writing their name.

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and outcomes for children

There are many excellent opportunities for children to write, for example, a group of children sit around the white board writing, using prompt cards if needed. They make written notes during play and confidently find letter shapes representing their names and those of their friends. Staff work exceptionally well with the children and enhance their experiences with questions that make them think. Children sing 'Waltzing Matilda' with gusto following their earlier topic on Australia Day. Children have access to an excellent range of information and communication technology. They use 'touch screens' to access the internet and suitable websites. They become skilful in using the mouse and manipulating programmes during weekly laptop computer sessions. Staff are making use of their digital video cameras to record exciting activities and events and are looking at ways to share these images more effectively with children. In addition, they are introducing the

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and outcomes for children

children to making their own films and images.

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and outcomes for children

Children's creativity is enhanced by regular music sessions and through role play, acting out being police officers escorting lost persons home. There are opportunities for free drawing and art work inspired from discussion and research from topics such as cave drawings. However, the arts and craft displays around the nursery do not reflect these activities well as they primarily show adult-led activities which have an 'end product'. Children are very well behaved and cooperate well during play as they share resources and take turns. They benefit from the calm, relaxed atmosphere that can be observed in every room. Older children demonstrate through play they have a real sense of keeping themselves safe. They explain to staff members that they must not touch the pretend fire as it is hot and they will burn themselves. They make the longest fire engine they can with the construction toys and problem solve how to make the attached ladder

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 higher. The fire is put out with pretend hoses. Young children are taught to pick up items dropped on the floor and staff explain that people trip over the items and hurt themselves.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. Staff remind young children that there is healthy fruit available as well as cake to celebrate their friend's birthday. Older children understand why they should wash their hands after toileting and how eating fresh fruit and drinking water helps your body grow. A topic on health is being enhanced by a visit from a doctor who is a grandparent at the nursery. Parents are encouraged to share their cultures and beliefs with the nursery, for example, children have enjoyed bolllywood dancing as part of their Diwali celebrations. Experiences provided, resources available and interaction from staff help to ensure children develop excellent skills for the future. Children develop an understanding of sustainability through projects which introduce global warming. They are encouraged to recycle their paper and understand not to keep taps running in order to save water.

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and outcomes for children

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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 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

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

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Stage

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

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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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