The Grove Pre-School

The Grove Pre-School Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY361998 Inspection date 08/03/2011 Inspector Eileen Grimes

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Setting address The Birtley Centre, Harras Bank, Birtley, Chester le Street, County Durham, DH3 2NL Telephone number 0191 410 2011 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.

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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.

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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 Grove Pre-School was registered in 2000. It operates from Birtley Centre in Birtley. The pre-school serves the local area. It is accessible to all children and there is a fully enclosed area available for outdoor play.

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Description of the setting

The group opens Monday to Friday during school term times. Sessions are from 9am to 12pm. Children are able to attend for a variety of sessions. A maximum of 30 children may attend at any one time. There are currently thirty children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The pre-school is registered on the Early Years Register and provides funded early education for three- and four-year-olds. The group supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. All hold appropriate early years qualifications at Level 3. The group receives support from the local authority.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Staff successfully promote children's welfare and learning as they have a sound understanding of each child's needs. As a result children make very sound progress towards the early learning goals. The setting has established effective relationships with parents and other professionals based on mutual respect and understanding. There is a strong drive towards further improvement and the process of evaluating the quality of the provision is developing positively to inform future planning.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that all documentation contains the up to date contact details of the regulator  ensure that staff information is available for inspection at all times.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded effectively as the robust policies and procedures are in place within the setting. All staff have appropriate checks in place although, these are not always available for inspection. The child protection policy and other safeguarding procedures give staff appropriate guidance on how to manage and to promptly refer any concerns about a child's welfare. Rigorous and detailed risk assessments are undertaken for both indoors and outdoors and daily checks are undertaken. All staff hold an appropriate childcare qualification and have accessed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 various training courses since the last inspection. The increased knowledge and skills are beneficial to the setting and have a positive impact on outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The environment, both indoors and out, is well organised to provide a variety of areas. This allows children choice in their play space and resources offer different activities to extend their play and develop their independence. Children move freely from inside to outdoors and extend activities to the outdoors when they want to. For example, they take role play with buggies to the outdoor area. Children are cared for by qualified and experienced staff who are well deployed so they receive good adult support at all times. Staff understand the importance of providing a fully inclusive environment. There is a wealth of resources which reflect the diversity of society, and the group celebrate a range of festivals. For example, they recently celebrated Chinese New Year and had pancakes for Shrove Tuesday.

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the early years provision

The manager and her team of well-qualified, experienced staff demonstrate enthusiasm for their work, and are committed to promoting positive outcomes for children. The process to evaluate the quality of the provision and its impact on children's progress is in place. Staff, parents and children contribute to the continuing development of this process. Clear action plans demonstrate sound progress has been made and show the impact of improvements on outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Staff have established very sound relationships with parents and carers. The staff get to know the whole family through the toddlers group before the children transfer to the Grove Pre-School. Visits to the group ensure that parents are confident with the setting before they leave their children. Parents arrive at the group confident and relaxed and talk freely with staff about a range of issues. There is a wealth of information available for parents telling them how the group operates, and parents are encouraged to look at children's learning journeys and contribute to them. Staff ensure that parents are kept well informed about all aspects of their child's care and education. Parents are able to access the extensive policies and procedures. However, information for parents on how to raise a complaint does not include the correct contact details of the regulator. The setting has established very effective links with other early years providers. They

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the early years provision

have implemented a diary system which goes from one provider to the other to ensure continuity. This is supported further by monthly meetings.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and confident in this well-organised stimulating environment. Space within the setting is organised into areas of learning and children are able to move freely between them as they choose what they want to do and make their own decisions. Resources are thoughtfully stored for children and small steps in learning are encouraged in self-help skills, such as children putting on their own paint aprons. A strength of the setting is staffs' understanding of how to maximise spontaneous activities and follow the lead of the children. Children are offered This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 appropriate challenges to extend their experiences with time to explore, practise and apply their learning. Staff intervene sensitively and provide explanations to help children think, as they work alongside them and extend their learning. For example, children building a house with bricks investigate how to make doors

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and outcomes for children

wider for a wheelchair and how to build a ramp at the front door. Development of children's language and communication skills are given a high priority, children develop warm relationships with peers and staff, and are forming firm friendships. Children are encouraged to express themselves as they dance to music and join in lively action songs. They are able to access a wide range of resources which reflect the diversity of society. Children show an understanding of the world around them as they celebrate Chinese New Year and look at places on the map of the world, relating these to world events.

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and outcomes for children

Children make strong progress in all areas of development and learning supported by staff who have a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. They complete comprehensive observations and assessments which also detail next steps. These are effectively used to inform planning, and staff cross reference to ensure all areas of learning are covered. These are linked to children's learning journeys and are completed by each child's key worker.

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and outcomes for children

Within the setting children develop a broad understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. They have access to a wide range of physical activities both within the setting and outside. They have free access to water throughout the day and children independently come inside for drinks. They are offered healthy snacks and understand the importance of healthy diets, whilst also being offered pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. Children explore and experiment as they clean an oversized set of teeth with large toothbrushes, and relate this to their own experiences of teeth cleaning and visits to the dentist. They begin to understand how to keep themselves safe, as they move around the room, know not to run inside and that they need sun hats when playing outdoors. Staff support children to increase their understanding of such things, whilst also providing them with the opportunity to take measured risks. Behaviour within the setting is of a very high standard.

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and outcomes for children

Children are clear about what is expected of them and understand the consequences of their actions. Staff provide positive role models for children and ensure a high level of consistency regarding accepted behaviour within the whole group. 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 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

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Stage

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

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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

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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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