The Purbeck School

Hampstead Activity Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 148737 Inspection date 07/09/2011 Inspector Siobhan O'Callaghan

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Setting address Christ Church, Hampstead Square, London, NW3 1AB

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Telephone number 020 7435 0054 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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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

Hampstead Activity Nursery is one of two nurseries run by Activity Nurseries Limited. It opened in 2000 and operates from three rooms within a converted church. Rooms are for sole use during operation with access to further space within the main part of the church. Children have access to a secure patio area which surrounds the building thus offering children outdoor play. The nursery is situated in a residential area of Hampstead which is in the London Borough of Camden. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm, offering a variety of both full and part time places. The nursery closes for one week during Easter and two weeks during both the Christmas and summer holiday periods.

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Description of the setting

The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of 33 children in the early years age range. The nursery provides funded early education for three-and four-year-olds, there are currently 23 children aged from eight months to under four years on roll. The children are grouped by age with two groups for babies and toddlers and one for older children. The nursery currently supports a number of children with English as an additional language. There are seven members of permanent staff working with the children, including a full time cook. The manager holds a level 3 qualification. The majority of all other staff hold relevant early years qualifications.

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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

Hampstead Activity Nursery provides a warm, caring and generally accessible environment for children where they are supported to make sound progress overall in their learning and development. There are many positive policies and procedures in place which help to support many aspects of children's individual needs including secure safeguarding processes; however, staffing in the baby room does not currently meet specific legal requirements with regards to qualified staff. There are positive partnerships with parents overall and secure links with outside professionals when required. The provision has made steady progress in addressing previous actions and recommendations raised at their last inspection. The new management team acknowledges that more robust self-evaluation and staff appraisal systems are yet to be embedded within the provision so that clear targets can be set to support improved outcomes for both staff and children within

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure at least one member of staff must holds a full and relevant level 3 qualification ( as defined by CWDC) (Suitable people). 23/09/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 improve opportunities for staff appraisal to support staff in identifying their training needs which will further support reflective practice and a continuing programme for professional development  develop further self-evaluation systems so that the views of all staff, children and parents are utilised to assess all aspects of the provision and therefore improve outcomes for children  review staffing arrangements to meet the individual needs of all children  review the nursery environment both inside and outdoors to ensure that it is interesting, attractive and accessible to every child so they can learn independently.

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the early years provision

The nursery has developed a satisfactory range of records, policies and procedures to support most aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The staff team demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children procedures and the importance of monitoring children's welfare in liaison with their parents. There are secure recruitment and vetting procedures in place to ensure that all staff working within the provision has completed necessary suitability checks and the majority of the staff team now have early year's qualifications. However, the deployment of staff is not currently effective in ensuring that a fully qualified member of the team is working within the baby room.

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the early years provision

The nursery has competent risk assessments in place to support the safe management of the children's environment and to ensure that all resources and equipment are safe and fit for purpose. The staff team organise a generally accessible learning environment, they ensure that children are able to observe positive images of themselves and others through displays within the provision. Consequently children are supported to develop a positive attitude towards diversity. Staff support all children to be included within activities, although the accessibility of some resources in the toddler room prevents these children from having full access to a range of books and to some resources, which are poorly labelled, to support children's abilities to make independent choices. Children have set times throughout the day to access the outside play area, which is set up with an adequate range of resources, although there is limited opportunity for them to

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the early years provision

make independent choices about when and how they would like to use these areas.

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the early years provision

Through discussions with parents it is clear that they are happy with the new staff team and comment on the positive communication they receive from staff. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children with English as an additional language have their home languages valued within the provision as staff liaise with parents to gather key words in their home languages. Parents comments include: 'My child is so settled here he is always happy for me to leave him; this means I can go to work and not worry.' Overall, secure partnerships support children's continuity of care. Although there are no children in attendance with special educational needs and/or disabilities there are positive systems in place to work in partnership with parents and outside professionals where this is necessary.

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the early years provision

The new manager of this provision demonstrates a positive approach to improving outcomes for children. She acknowledges that staff training and appraisals need to be prioritised to support the quality of interactions and experiences that staff offer to children. Overall, there has been sufficient targets set to support ongoing progression, the nursery team are currently developing their planning and assessment systems to ensure that these are more focused on individual children rather that on the group as a whole. There has been improved access to essential documentation and all staff now has a paediatric first aid qualification. However, the provision is yet to develop robust self-evaluation systems to reflect on all aspects of quality. There is also limited opportunities for all staff, children and parents to have a voice in initiating improved outcomes. Nevertheless, this provision has improved practice since their last inspection and there is a cheerful

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and outcomes for children

Children on the whole are happy and busy within this provision. The staff team demonstrate a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements as they use a reasonable range of teaching methods and organise adequate resources to provide a sufficient choice of activities and experiences to meet children's needs and help them to progress. The staff team are currently developing their planning and assessment systems as they recognise that these are currently not sufficiently focused on the individual child. Evidence and discussions with staff demonstrate that improved planning and assessment systems, once fully implemented, will help to improve the quality of learning experiences as staff will tailor these to the needs and abilities of individual children including those with English as an additional language and children who may have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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and outcomes for children

Children have adequate opportunities to explore their environment independently; they enjoy initiating some activities such as choosing to paint at the easel, or engaging within role play scenarios with small world animals. Staff encourage children to participate in adult-led activities, such as sticking and messy play; children engage for long periods of time within these activities. Creative pursuits are particularly popular with all children from the youngest to the oldest as they explore a variety of both natural and man-made resources. Children confidently utilise construction resources as they are supported to build tall towers with bricks, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 or tracks for their trains. This further supports them in developing problem solving skills as they need to observe the different shapes and sizes of track to see if they can make these fit together. Children are beginning to understand that print

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and outcomes for children

carries meaning as they make marks on paper and exclaim: 'this is my name.' Children have reasonable opportunities to enjoy books and to listen to stories and participate within singing sessions which supports their development of communication.

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and outcomes for children

Children's overall welfare is promoted through many positive practices including the importance of teaching children about their bodies and how they need to keep clean and healthy. Children are offered vegetarian meals and snacks, which are all prepared freshly on the premises. They have opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they are taken outside to play in the garden; they enjoy learning new physical skills, such as riding small wheeled resources and practising ball skills. All of which supports a healthy life style. Children are developing an understanding of dangers and how to stay safe as they are supported to access their environment responsibly. They demonstrate that they feel secure as they interact with staff and approach them for support and attention. Children on the whole display polite and cooperative behaviour; they are encouraged to have appropriate manners and to learn why it is important to take turns and share with their peers. They are

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and outcomes for children

learning through planned activities and through resources available to them about the different beliefs and values of their peers and those within the wider community. Overall, the nursery is setting many secure foundations to support children's future learning. 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 3 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 3 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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