Busy Bees Day Nursery at Chelmsford

Leapfrog Day Nursery - Chelmsford Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 650090 Inspection date 09/05/2011 Inspector Lisa Paisley

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Setting address 5 The Meades, Off New Writtle Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0GT Telephone number 01245 346 324 Email chelmsford@busybees.com 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

Leapfrog Day Nursery-Chelmsford opened in 2000. The nursery is part of a national chain of settings under the ownership of Busy Bees. The provision operates from a purpose built single storey unit and is situated within walking distance of schools and shops in Chelmsford, Essex. All children share access to a secure outdoor play area. A maximum of 99 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery opens five days a week all year round with the exception of Bank Holidays. Opening times are from 7.30am to 6.30pm.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 151 children aged from birth to seven years on roll. Children aged three and four years receive funding for early education. Children attend for a variety of sessions, full days or out of school care. The nursery serves the local community and wider areas. The setting supports a small number of children who have special educational needs and or disabilities and those with English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the setting

The nursery employs 25 staff, of whom 16, including the managers, hold appropriate early years qualifications. Three staff members are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification, three additional staff members are extending their professional qualification and the manager is working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Early Years. The setting 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children in the early years age range are making outstanding progress as staff have an extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the developmental needs and learning styles of young children. Children's interests, emotional and social well-being are central to the provision of the nursery, ensuring all children are equally valued and are able to make a positive contribution. Safeguarding children, ensuring that they feel safe and promoting healthy lifestyles are integral features within the nursery. Self- evaluation has been successfully developed, however, further review is required to ensure progress is clearly identified and effectively tracked.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop further self-evaluations to identify and track progression.

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the early years provision

All required documentation such as written parental consents, medication records and children's individual details are meticulous and are maintained to a very high standard. Polices and procedures are in place and are extensive, and they fully reflect staff practice. Effective and robust recruitment, vetting and induction procedures are in place to ensure all those working at the nursery are suitable to do so. Children are extensively safeguarded as all staff know procedures to follow regarding any safeguarding concern. It is a mandatory requirement for staff to attend safeguarding training and there is a named safeguarding officer for the nursery, further protecting children. Staff have a very good understanding of what constitutes safe working practices, this includes social networking polices, nappy changing procedures and the safe storage of mobile phones. Risk assessments are comprehensive and are extensively implemented by the staff. There are clear

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the early years provision

procedures in place for the arrival and departure of children to and from the nursery as the individual electronic key fob system allows safe entry for all children, families and staff. Very good systems are in place for the checking and maintenance of equipment and resources, further minimising risks to children.

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the early years provision

The organisation of daily routines, resources, the physical environment and staff deployment is exceptional as this ensures that all children are well cared for and continuity of care is extensively promoted. Lunch time arrangements are extensively organised to ensure babies and younger children have lunch at an earlier time and the rotation of mealtimes for the pre-school children promotes an enjoyable and sociable occasion, promoting children's independence. There are clear management structures in place and the effectiveness of the management team ensures that all staff are motivated and highly skilled in their roles and responsibilities. Teamwork is outstanding as staff work extremely well together, there is very good communication throughout the day, as there are constant discussions regarding daily routines and children's individual needs. The managers and staff are extensively committed towards providing very good early years care

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the early years provision

and play experiences, as they continue to build on their practices. Since the last inspection the nursery have addressed all previous recommendations and actions and implemented the 'Wake and Shake' programme for older children and 'Busy Babies'for younger children. There are clear development plans, these include greater partnership work and developing the garden area. Self-evaluation has been developed, however, further review is required to ensure progress is clearly identified and effectively tracked.

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the early years provision

Partnership work with both parents and other agencies is outstanding. Parents are equal partners and are a vital resource in meeting the care and learning needs of all the children. There is very good verbal and written communications between parents and staff; daily discussions, parents' evenings, the notice board, regular newsletters and electronic communications further update parents about the nursery. The recently develop parent liaison group and the active involvement of parents on the equality forum helps to further promote communications with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 parents. Parent's complementary comments include 'it is very good' and they highly recommend the nursery, 'staff knows children's individual needs very well' and also 'the very good range of activities'. Very good systems are in place with those delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure transitions are

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the early years provision

effective and continuity of care is promoted.

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and outcomes for children

Planning and assessment arrangements have been extensively implemented within the nursery, ensuring that they are both cyclical and reflective of children's developmental needs and individual interests. Therefore children are exceptionally motivated to play and learn and are curious about their environment. Children's learning journeys provide a rich textual narrative as they include regular observations, individual play plans, photographs, next steps and parents comments. The information is linked into the Developmental Matters framework ensuring effective monitoring of children's progress. Equality, participation and inclusion are fundamental features of the provision, as resources, activities and planned celebrations and events reflect both the local community and the wider cultural world. Children enjoy participating in charity events, Easter, Chinese New Year and the Royal Wedding. Some cultural events are also combined with other

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and outcomes for children

celebrations, for example, Pancake Day with the Russian Spring Day celebrations.

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and outcomes for children

All children across the age range are very happy and confident within the nursery, as they are able to fully participate in the extensive range of activities and play experiences that are provided. Staff are consistently purposeful and instructive in their interactions with the children, promoting sustained and shared thinking. As a result, children's play and learning is consistently consolidated and extended. Staff know children's individual needs and interests very well, therefore staff have a very good understanding of children's individual needs and personalities. Children's behaviour is good as they are effectively engaged in activities and staff and older children are positive role models. All staff are consistent and considerate in their interactions with children promoting continuity of care. Staff who care for the younger children form close attachments with them as they are careful and attentive in meeting their individual needs. They ensure that they are closely

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and outcomes for children

supervised at all times, and transitions of the day for example, nappy changing, mealtimes and sleeping arrangements are managed very well. Babies and young children are provided with very good play experiences across the six areas of learning, this includes sand, water, painting, sensory play and natural materials.

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and outcomes for children

Children are inquisitive and independent learners as staff promote children's competences through daily routines and play experiences, as a result children's self-help skills are very good. All children are making excellent progress in their language and communication skills as the staff successfully create a language rich environment that encourages children's self-expression, and imaginations. All group rooms are effectively resourced with an extensive range of information and story books that are culturally diverse offering both instruction and delight. Older children enjoy the 'Farmer Duck' story and 'Our Family' album made by the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children. The Younger children enjoy nursery rhymes, a particular favourite is 'Tiny Turtle' and they enjoy 'Iggle Piggle' and 'Upsy Daisy' stories. Mark making is fundamental within the nursery across all the age range as there are daily activities

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and outcomes for children

that promote children's finer manipulative skills, for example, sand play for babies and sticking and gluing for older children. Consequently, children are skilled and competent in using mark making tools. Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy is an integral part of children's learning as it is promoted and embedded within daily routines across the age rage, this includes number rhymes, and matching and identifying objects. The older and more able children are all confident counters and can identify more than and less through simple addition. The outdoor garden area is an integral feature of nursery life as children access the play area for most of the day. The garden area is extensive and provides exciting play opportunities, this includes creative activities, role play, large climbing equipment and also mark making activities and the designated book and art corners. Children enjoy learning about the natural world, as they go digging for insects and mini-beasts, they

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and outcomes for children

became particularly excited on finding a snail with green slime.

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and outcomes for children

Children being safe and promoting healthy lifestyles is outstanding as these are integral practices within the nursery. Staff ensure that children know about their own personal hygiene, through daily routines, notices and discussions, such as hand washing. Staff ensure children wear appropriate clothing when playing outside, for example, sun hats and sun cream and that they have regular fresh air all year round. Children practise regular fire drills with the staff and staff continually remind and explain to them how to be safe, for example, using play equipment and walking around the indoor play space. Very good nappy changing procedures and the regular disinfecting of surfaces further minimises cross- infection. Meals and snacks are healthy and nutritious as the chef prepares the food on site and they ensure all food is low in fat, sugar and salt content. Excellent systems are in place to support children with dietary needs; this includes obtaining

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and outcomes for children

all the information, writing detailed care plans and regular reviews of children's dietary needs. Very good systems are in place throughout the nursery to ensure that all children have access to fresh drinking water, consequently, they remain hydrated at all times. Overall, their health and well-being is extensively promoted. 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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