Bright Horizons Blackheath Day Nursery and Preschool

Zoom Nurseries Blackheath Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY413333 Inspection date 19/09/2011 Inspector Christine Hodge

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Setting address 113 Lee Road, LONDON, SE3 9DZ

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Telephone number 07734290173 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

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

Zoom Nurseries Limited, Blackheath, London was registered in March 2011. It is the forth nursery in the Zoom Nurseries Limited chain. The nursery operates from a converted period property which is accessed by steps. A ramp and stairs lead to the first floor. Children are grouped into five separate rooms according to their age and stage of development and their individual needs. All rooms have associated toilet, wash and/or changing facilities. Young children using the first floor rooms have use of a roof terrace for outdoor opportunities. There is also a secure garden for older children and an outside toilet and wash basin. The nursery also has kitchen and laundry facilities, a buggy park, parents room, staff facilities and office. There is parking for several cars.

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Description of the setting

The nursery is open each weekday from 7.45am to 6.30pm throughout the year, except for public holidays, five days over Christmas and five days for staff training. Children attend from the local and wider community. The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register and is registered to care for a maximum of 70 children in the early years age group, 30 of whom may be under two years at any one time. There are currently 100 children on roll attending on a full time or part time basis. The nursery is in receipt of funding to provide nursery education and is supporting several children with English as an additional language. A team of 24 staff including the manager and cook are currently employed to work at the nursery. All of the staff working with the children either hold an appropriate childcare qualification or are working towards one.

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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

The nursery provides a highly stimulating, inclusive and welcoming environment for babies and young children. Effective settling in procedures and strong partnerships with parents ensure that children's individual needs are consistently met. Rigorous systems for observation, assessment and planning ensure that children are happy and helped to make good overall progress in their learning and development. Careful attention is paid to children's health and safety which is underpinned by comprehensive policies and procedural documentation. The management team demonstrate a high commitment to continuous improvement which is achieved through on-going training and effective systems for reflective practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the outdoor area to create a stimulating environment that offers a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 range of activities which provide children with opportunities for investigation of the natural world and encourage their interest and curiosity  ensure that babies and younger children have more opportunities for outdoor play and experiences .

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the early years provision

Children's safety is fully promoted. All staff receive safeguarding training and are confident about their role and responsibility for recording and reporting any child protection concerns. Careful attention is paid to recruitment procedures, risk assessments and emergency evacuation procedures to keep children safe. A high number of practitioners hold a valid first aid certificate. Staff are well deployed and there are established procedures to ensure that ratios are maintained at all times. The premises are safe and secure and there are good systems in place to prevent unwanted visitors from gaining access and to ensure children are only collected by authorised persons. All required records and documentation are maintained to a high standard and are readily available for inspection.

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the early years provision

The nursery provides children with a spacious, stimulating and child friendly environment, rich in play resources, visual displays, symbols and labelling. All rooms are set out attractively with an extensive range of good quality, age appropriate resources and activities that promote all areas of learning and encourage children to be active and independent learners. The nursery values diversity. Children learn and play in an environment where staff promote equal opportunities by helping children to see positive images around them and play with toys which represent people from diverse backgrounds. Staff represent different cultures, backgrounds and genders with three male members of staff working as part of the staff team.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents is a key strength and parents collecting their children offer extremely positive feedback on the care and information received about the setting and their children. The nursery operates an open door policy and staff work successfully with parents to settle children into nursery life and to provide continuity and consistency in their care. Parents are encouraged to become involved in activities and outings as well as their children's learning and development. Daily record sheets, learning journey folders and regular parent meetings ensure that parents are kept fully informed about activities, routines and children's progress. Staff work with other childcare professionals such as early years advisors and the Area SENCO and attend transitional meetings to ensure children's smooth transition to school. The staff team work well together and are supported in their continuous professional development by the management team,

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the early years provision

who have clear vision for the nursery and a commitment to continuous improvement. This is achieved through on going reflective practice, team meetings, staff supervision and appraisals, in house training, coaching and mentoring. An action plan has been drawn up identifying areas for future development which include home visits and a parent's forum. There are also plans in place for the roof terrace and possibly to extend the outside play area. 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 helped to make good overall progress in their learning, in relation to their starting points because staff are confident in observing their play, assessing their progress towards the early learning goals and planning for the next steps in their learning. Staff in all rooms maintain learning journey profile folders for each child which clearly identify their progress in each area of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Although several new children are currently being settled into the nursery, most children are happy and confident and show a strong sense of belonging. They form close relationships with their key persons who are familiar with their individual needs and provide emotional and practical support. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement from staff who act as good role models, helping them to promote their social skills as they learn to share, take turns and form friendships. Children are developing their communication skills well because practitioners spend a lot of time playing, talking and interacting with them. Babies are beginning to vocalise and to imitate adults and older children are becoming increasingly confident in talking to adults and using language to organise their play. Children throughout the nursery have good opportunities for mark making and to practise their early writing skills. They have access to a wide selection of books and enjoy

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and outcomes for children

listening to stories read to them by adults both individually and in larger groups. Visual pictures and displays help children with English as an additional language and younger children to understand nursery routines.

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and outcomes for children

Children have many opportunities to develop their creativity and imaginations using a wide range of material and media such as cornflour, paint, playdough, shaving foam, collage, sand and water. They also enjoy pretend play in the well resourced role play areas, dressing up, singing songs and playing musical instrument. Babies and younger children have great fun exploring with natural resources in treasure baskets and with various sensory resources. They enjoy investigating with toys that have buttons to press and that make noises.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about the world around them through the celebrations of different festivals and on organised outings to places such as London and the seaside. Although children enjoy learning about reptiles and insects from visitors coming into the nursery they have limited opportunities to explore and investigate the natural world in the garden.

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and outcomes for children

The nursery environment is bright, clean and maintained to a high standard. Comprehensive policies and procedures are used effectively to ensure that all aspects of children's health, safety and welfare are fully promoted. Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles and learn about staying safe. They take part in activities to help them understand the importance of healthy eating. They enjoy healthy snacks and nutritious meals that are prepared and cooked from fresh ingredients each day on the premises by the nursery cook. The nursery has effective procedures in place to ensure children's dietary requirements are catered for. Snack and meal times are used to promote children's increasing independence; This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for example, babies are encouraged to feed themselves, children self-select snacks and older children are confident in dishing up their own food and clearing away

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and outcomes for children

their plates and cutlery. Children learn good personal hygiene routines such as washing their hands after going to the toilet and before meal times. Children on the ground floor have access to fresh air and outdoor physical play on a daily basis. However, because the roof terrace is not fully functional babies on the first floor have fewer opportunities for outdoor play. Indoors children have lots of space to move around in. Younger babies use their increasing mobility; for example, rolling over and crawling to connect with toys and objects. Provision is made for children to rest during the day. Staff are familiar with babies and younger children's individual sleeping routines enabling them to rest when they need to. 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 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 1

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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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