Play Away Day Nursery

Playaway Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 303448 Inspection date 29/11/2011 Inspector Eileen Grimes

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Setting address Grasmere Drive, Beechwood, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 2TT

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Telephone number 01928 577 855 Email Type of setting Childcare - Non-Domestic 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 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

Play Away Nursery is one of two provisions registered to the same provider, and was registered in 1993. It operates from three rooms in a single-story building in the Beechwood area of Runcorn. The group serves the local community and is accessible to all children. There is a fully enclosed area at the back of the building available for outdoor play. The provision is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm for 51 weeks of the year.

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Description of the setting

A maximum of 67 children may attend the provision at any one time. There are currently 75 children attending who are within the early years age range. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register. The group provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. The group supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. They presently employ 22 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above and three at level 2. The provision 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Staff successfully promote children's welfare and learning as they have a very good understanding of each child's needs. As a result, children make very effective progress towards the early learning goals. The setting has established strong relationships with parents and other early years settings based on mutual respect and understanding. They evaluate all aspects of the provision and identify the impact on outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop children's learning journeys to clearly show how children are progressing through the early years foundation stage  develop opportunities for continuous indoor/outdoor provision.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded extremely well as a result of the robust policies and procedures which are in place. All staff have appropriate checks in place. All safeguarding procedures give staff appropriate guidance on how to manage and to promptly refer any concerns about a child's welfare, and staff have accessed training. Rigorous and detailed risk assessments are undertaken for both indoors and outdoors. Staff are vigilant to all safety issues. Staff hold appropriate childcare qualifications and have accessed various training courses since the last inspection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The environment, both indoors and out, is well organised to provide a wealth of learning opportunities. This allows children choice in their play and resources and offers different activities to extend their play and develop their independence. Children are cared for by qualified and experienced staff who are well deployed so

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the early years provision

they receive good adult support at all times. The setting has a positive approach to equality and inclusion. They ensure that all children are valued as individuals. They develop children's understanding of the wider world through the range of resources available.

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the early years provision

The manager and her team of qualified staff demonstrate enthusiasm for their work, and are committed to promoting positive outcomes for children. The process to evaluate the quality of the provision and its impact on children's progress is in place and clearly identifies the impact of changes on outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Staff have established very good relationships with parents based on mutual respect and understanding. They ensure that parents are kept informed about every aspect of their child's care and education and encourage parents to share information from home. Staff use this information within children's learning journeys. Parents arrive at the group in a relaxed manner and comment that they are 'thrilled' with the progress their children are making. The nursery has established very positive relationships with other early years settings. They ensure that both provisions are aware of the child's progress, sharing learning journeys to ensure continuity and cohesion.

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and outcomes for children

Children make very sound progress with their personal, social and emotional development and enjoy their learning. Staff who are sound practitioners understand how to provide a rich, stimulating environment which meets the individual needs of all the children in their care. They spend time alongside children, offering appropriate support to extend their learning and provide challenge, and all activities are child led. For example, staff support children in the spontaneous activity of trains and cars. Babies receive much one-to-one attention from the staff and respond to cuddles and facial expressions which helps their social and speech development. Individual care plans are carefully followed. Staff keep accurate and comprehensive observations and assessments on each child. These are linked to the early learning goals; however, although they identify individual next steps, they do not clearly track children's progress.

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and outcomes for children

Staff establish excellent relationships with children. They freely seek the support of staff and talk with them about a wide range of topics, both from nursery and home. Staff build children's confidence and self-esteem as they celebrate children's achievements, display children's work attractively and value all contributions. Staff have a sound understanding of the importance of outdoor play, and ensure that every day children are able to access outdoor play. However, at present children ar not able to move freely from inside to outside. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children develop a secure understanding of the wider world as they explore and experiment with a range of resources and materials within the local environment. A broad range of resources are available which reflect the diversity of society. A healthy lifestyle is promoted. Hygiene procedures are in place as children adopt

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and outcomes for children

hand-washing and use and dispose of tissues. Drinking water is freely available to all children. The setting provides a range of healthy meals and snacks. These are served to children in a social family environment.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to consider and recognise potential risks and dangers as they gradually accept responsibility for their own safety. They begin to consider the consequences of their actions and learn to recognise different feelings and emotions through the use of the feelings tree. Children are encouraged to develop skills for their future well-being as they learn to plan and solve problems together and understand technology. Older children confidently activate programmes on a computer. Behaviour within the nursery is very good as staff set realistic and appropriate guidelines. Children understand what is expected of them and understand the consequences of their actions. They learn to be considerate towards adults and each other in the friendly, consistent atmosphere where staff are positive role models. 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 2 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 2

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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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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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