The Right Track Children's Nursery

The Right Track Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY407680 Inspection date 01/06/2011 Inspector Ann Cozzi

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Setting address National Express, Hertford East Railway Station, Mill Road, HERTFORD, SG14 1SB Telephone number 01992 500455 Email enquiries@righttracknursery.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

The Right Track is privately owned and is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register. It was registered in 2010 and operates from a converted railway station building close to the centre of Hertford, Hertfordshire. A maximum of 19 children may attend the day nursery at any one time. There are currently 23 children on roll, of whom one is in receipt of early education funding. Children come from the local community and surrounding area.

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Description of the setting

The setting is open five days a week from 7.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday for 51 weeks a year. All children have access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. The setting supports a small number of children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Description of the setting

The setting is also registered to offer care to children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. Children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the early years age range.

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Description of the setting

The pre-school employs four members of staff all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The setting receives support from the Pre-school Learning Alliance and local authority.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

A satisfactory knowledge of children's needs and backgrounds ensures that staff provide adequate support for their learning. However, there is a weakness in the systems to monitor children's individual progress. Children are generally safe and secure and enjoy learning about the wider world. Partnership with parents and other partners are good, including for those with additional support needs. Children make adequate progress given their age, ability and starting points. Systems to promote future improvements are sound, resulting in a provision that adequately prioritises areas for development in order to respond to user needs and improve outcomes for children.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that outdoor and indoor spaces are safe and suitable for their purpose, this refers in particular to security of the premises, access to hazardous products and areas which are out of bounds. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment)(also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register). 15/06/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 ensure that the risk assessment covers anything with which a child may come into contact  improve the consistency of observations and assessments to identify learning priorities for each child, linked to the educational programmes.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect. This is because key staff have undertaken appropriate training and demonstrate a sound understanding of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Risk assessments are in place, however, some do not include clear information regarding how potential hazards are minimised or actioned in a timely manner. For example, how children are prevented from gaining access to the kitchen, safety procedures in place for using large outdoor play equipment and details about how children are prevented from leaving the premises unescorted. This could potentially compromise children's safety. All other records, contracts and permission forms, required by legislation, are in place. This includes daily registers and a visitor record which enables staff to safely account for all children and adults on the premises at any time. Most staff have a current paediatric first aid qualification

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the early years provision

which, ensures that children are provided with appropriate care in the event of an accident.

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the early years provision

The environment used by the children is bright, well maintained and organised adequately. Resources are stored at low level enabling children in the main to access them independently. The cheerful outdoor play area provides children with a suitable safety surface and a dedicated area which enables babies to play safely. Children are provided with opportunities to learn about other cultures and the diverse world we live in.

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the early years provision

Although the setting has only been opened a short period of time partnerships have already become established, for example, communication takes place between providers and partners such as a local school and the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. This helps to support individual children on a regular basis and to ensure information is shared and used to promote children's achievements and well-being. The setting has developed positive relationships with parents and carers who are kept well informed about their children's achievements, well-being and development. There are clear and accessible channels for parents and carers to communicate with the setting. Parents report that they have found the nursery to be friendly and welcoming, feel confident leaving their child at the setting, find the staff very approachable and that they have recommended the setting to others.

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the early years provision

The provider in conjunction with her staff reflects on the provision using information gathered to identify some strengths and weaknesses. They seek the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 views of others such as the local authority development worker. The setting strives to ensure the provision is sustainable.

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and outcomes for children

Children show a sense of security as they move around their base room or the outdoor play area. In the main children are able to make choices about what they would like to do next. Staff demonstrate a sound understanding of the learning and development requirements and guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Observations, planning and assessment systems are in place although, they are not consistently implemented by all staff across all areas of learning. As a consequence, whilst planning for all areas of learning is in place it is not consistently linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage criteria to fully promote children's progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children have fun playing together with small cars. As they push them backwards and forwards they discover that they have made a pattern in a small pile of sand. They work together collaboratively and discover how to extend this pattern. Using their imagination they decide that the pattern looks like a race track. Children demonstrate a pride in their achievement as they excitedly tell a member of staff all about their race track. They respond to her comments and questions, entering into detailed dialogue all about their creation. Children enjoy investigating various construction materials, as they join pieces together to build and balance, proudly showing staff and the inspector the tower they have made. Children learn social skills and enjoy being with and talking to adults. They confidently approach staff and talk about home and the important people in their lives. For example, one child says that daddy goes on the bus to work and another tells a member of staff

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and outcomes for children

that his mummy is tired today. Children interact with others taking turns in conversation, for example, as they search the nursery for a missing dinosaur. They clearly describe in detail what the dinosaur looks like including its shape and colour. Children have lots of fun playing outdoors. They access water and enjoy digging earth and learning about capacity as they fill and empty containers with a variety of implements. They show their growing abilities as they competently use wheeled toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an understanding of how to keep themselves safe as they are encouraged to begin to take some responsibility for their own safety. For example, they manoeuvre wheeled toys in the outdoor play area, carefully avoiding obstacles including adults and their peers, and learn about why it is important to wear their hat when it is hot and sunny. Children's well-being is promoted through their participation in vigorous outdoor play which helps them to begin to gain some understanding about the benefits of exercise. Children's understanding with regard to developing healthy habits, such as good hygiene practice, is encouraged, for example, they are expected to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating food. Information from parents and carers about their child's individual dietary requirements ensures that children are provided with a balanced range of meals and snacks which are appropriate to their individual needs. Water is easily

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 accessible which ensures that no child remains thirsty. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment). 15/06/2011

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