The Co-operative Childcare Burton

Buffer Bear Nursery @ Burton Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY277937 Inspection date 20/04/2011 Inspector Shirley Wilkes

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Setting address Burton Hospitals NHS Trust, Belvedere Road, Burton-on- Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 0RB Telephone number 01283 547886 Email burton@bufferbear.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.

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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

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.

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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

Buffer Bear Nursery @ Burton is one of a chain of nurseries run by Buffer Bear Limited. It opened in 2004 and operates from purpose-built premises. It is situated within the grounds of Queens Hospital, Burton-on-Trent. A maximum of 58 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 6.45am until 6.15pm all year round. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 100 children aged from eight months to four years on roll. Children come from a wide catchment area as most parents are employees of the hospital. The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The nursery provides support for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

The nursery employs 16 staff who work with the children. All staff hold early years qualifications to National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3.

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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 settle very well in the nursery and receive a high level of care because the dedicated, experienced and highly qualified staff work very closely with individual children and their families. The practice used within the nursery is inclusive, ensuring children's individual needs are fully understood and respected. All staff have a very good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and use this to plan and provide excellent learning opportunities for children of all ages. The strong links with parents, carers and others ensure a consistency of care and education. Successful steps are taken to self-evaluate the provision for children; the nursery demonstrates an excellent capacity to make continuous improvement and sustain its existing, very high standards.

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further?

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

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further?

 continuing to use self-evaluation and quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal review.

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the early years provision

Staff have an excellent understanding of their role in child protection, are able to put appropriate procedures into practice and know when to take action to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguard children in their care. Staff are very aware of the possible signs of abuse and know what to do if they have concerns about a child. Children are protected, as the well-qualified, established staff team keep the premises very secure and supervise the children at all times. Employment procedures are very robust and ensure that all staff are suitable to work with young children. Robust induction procedures ensure staff are suitable and knowledgeable about all aspects of their work. Children enjoy a safe and secure environment because very effective systems are in place. Detailed risk assessments are carried out and regularly reviewed. The manager links accident records to risk assessments, and staff

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the early years provision

conduct daily checks of all areas of the setting used by the children. The management and deployment of staff are very well organised and monitored to ensure staffing levels remain high, all of which ensures a very safe environment for children and staff.

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the early years provision

The excellent relationship with parents and carers contributes to improvements in children's achievement, well-being and development. The nursery ensures that parents develop a sense of belonging to the setting and have a say in the care and well-being of their children. Parents receive very good quality information about the provision. All parents complete a starting booklet about what their child can do and their individual likes and dislikes, with these updated as needed. This information helps staff to have an excellent knowledge of each child's background and individual needs. Children benefit from their parents' involvement in their learning in the setting. For example, there are informative displays throughout the nursery and staff talk daily with parents, ensuring that they have frequent opportunities to view their child's assessment records and to contribute to these. Children are encouraged to take home books, some in dual language, to share

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the early years provision

with their families. Regular newsletters are sent out to parents which highlight themes and keep them informed of specific changes or events. Parents are encouraged to complete questionnaires and speak very highly about the nursery. The nursery has developed effective working partnerships with other early years settings which some children attend. They have forged links with local schools that children may attend. All staff are focused on helping all children to make very good progress in their learning and development, and in promoting their welfare. Resources that promote children's understanding of diversity are very good and activities provided help support children in their understanding of the world in which they live.

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the early years provision

All staff have been involved in the self-evaluation process and have completed a very detailed evaluation of their setting. Identified improvements have been implemented to improve outcomes for children. Children's well-being is significantly enhanced due to the exceptional organisation of this setting. This has a positive impact and results in a setting where the needs of the children are fully met. All recommendations from the last inspection have been successfully and comprehensively addressed. This results in a setting that is forward thinking and exceptionally well organised and that demonstrates a shared vision for the future to ensure that continuous improvement is sustained. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and confident. They settle extremely well into their daily routine. Children thrive and make excellent progress because staff have a comprehensive understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The comprehensive, practical planning ensures that children are offered a wealth of activities and experiences that accurately reflect their individual developmental needs. Staff confidently encourage children to initiate their own play, while offering them sensitive support to fully extend this. Children therefore become confident and keen to explore, and play an active part in their own learning. Children's exemplary behaviour demonstrates that they feel safe and secure as they eagerly participate in activities, independently select resources, readily include staff in their play and seek comfort and reassurance. The thoughtful provision of resources helps children to feel welcome and promotes their sense of belonging. For

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and outcomes for children

example, staff make books that contain photographs of the children's family members and people who are important to them; the children love looking through these books and sharing them with their peers. Children also benefit from the nursery providing parents with 'situation bags' to help children's understanding of special events in their lives, for example, a new baby, illness, going to school and coping with bereavement. Children are also encouraged to take home Buffy bear to share their home life and return with photographs to share with their friends.

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and outcomes for children

Throughout the day there are many opportunities for children to use number, with a wealth of number lines displayed throughout the nursery. Children eagerly share their understanding of plus and minus when playing with cubes. Children thoroughly enjoy story time, listening to their favourite story and joining in with repeated phrases. Babies take delight in using the story props during their favourite story. Children are learning to recognise their name with self-registration, the use of named table mats at lunch time and named coat pegs. Children freely access a variety of mediums, such as, paint, pencils and crayons to help with their mark making skills. Children are able to use the computer and play with programmable toys to help in their understanding of technology. Children are learning how things grow and how to care for things by planting and harvesting fruit and vegetables. They carefully water their plants and talk about what they are

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and outcomes for children

growing. Children also learn to care for living things by caring for their goldfish, with staff sharing a book with them on how to look after goldfish.

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and outcomes for children

Staff sing nursery rhymes to babies, help them to play with interactive toys and explore the outdoor area. Staff have devised various activity boxes, including the shiny box that babies love to explore. The outdoor play area that is freely accessed by most of the children is well thought out and contains an excellent range of resources for the children to explore. Children's play is further enhanced as staff join in and skilfully capture their interest. For example, children use various materials to build a den that quickly becomes a house, and they fetch cushions and books for stories. Children share resources and cooperate when playing, for example, when building a tower with the tyres, children help one another and also remind each other about taking turns to climb into the tower. All children are highly valued and participate in a wide range of activities that help them to value This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

diversity and understand the cultures and lifestyles of others. For example, they join with staff and parents in sharing their own cultures and traditions, and research and celebrate the traditions and festivals of others. The children participate in activities where they explore feelings, helping them to understand and respect each other. Children are becoming aware of the wider world in which they live as they have identified on the world map countries children have come from; they take great pride in recognising the flags of the countries and naming the child who comes from there. The nursery has just begun to forge links with a nursery in Germany to increase children's understanding of other countries.

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and outcomes for children

Children follow very good hygiene practices as they take increasing responsibility for washing their hands appropriately throughout the day. There are rigid procedures in place to protect them from infection. Nappy changing routines are followed to ensure the risk of cross-contamination is limited and even the youngest of babies have their hands washed after changes. Children benefit from varied menus that take account of children's dietary needs and introduce them to a good range of healthy foods. Meals are cooked on site from fresh ingredients, and children learn table manners and social skills as they sit together for meals in small groups. Children enjoy their meals and eat very well. The older children demonstrate a very good awareness of healthy foods as they talk about their favourite foods and what is good for them.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is very good as they demonstrate good manners and show a genuine consideration for others. They are reminded of the possible consequences of their actions on others, encouraging them to develop a sense of responsibility and an understanding of being polite people in the future. 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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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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