St Mary's Church Nursery

St. Mary`s Church Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 203985 Inspection date 17/10/2011 Inspector Lynn Hughes

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Setting address St Mary's Church, Church Street, Dunmow, Essex, CM6 2AE

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Telephone number 0795 759 6303 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

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

St Mary's Church Nursery was registered in 1997 and is committee run. It operates from a church hall in Great Dunmow, Essex. A fully enclosed garden provides appropriate areas for outdoor activities. The nursery is open from 9.15am to 2.30pm four days per week, term time only.

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Description of the setting

A maximum of 24 children under eight years may attend the nursery at any one time, all of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently 23 children on roll. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register.

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Description of the setting

The nursery employs five members of staff of whom four including the manager hold appropriate qualifications to at least level two. The manager is a qualified early years teacher.

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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

Children's welfare, learning and development needs are met to a good standard. Staff know the children well and work effectively with their parents to establish and accommodate their individual requirements. Children participate in a wide range of planned and freely chosen activities. The system for using observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child is being developed. Parents and staff play an active role in the setting's self-evaluation processes and help to identify areas for improvement. The setting has clear policies and procedures in place which are shared with parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the system for using observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child  provide parents with the complaints procedure and information that includes up to date details for contacting Ofsted.

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the early years provision

Children are well safeguarded as staff demonstrate secure knowledge of their responsibilities with regards to protecting children. All staff are appropriately vetted and proof of their clearance is held on file. Staff attend up-to-date safeguarding training and discuss new practices during their staff meetings. Children play in a safe and secure environment as staff carry out daily safety checks as well as more This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 thorough risk assessments.

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the early years provision

The setting is well established and is staffed by a team of dedicated adults who work well together. They meet on a regular basis to discuss the individual children in their key worker groups and to review policies and procedures. The setting strives to maintain its good quality provision by working in partnership with other agencies and early years provisions. The setting reviews and evaluates its policies and working practices on a regular basis, and parents play an active role in this process. Parents are informed of the details for contacting Ofsted; however, some written information currently available contains out of date information.

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the early years provision

Storage facilities situated around the edge of the room provide some opportunities for children to select resources and equipment and to make choices over their play and learning. Staff also present an interesting selection of equipment on low-level tables and floor mats to create safe and easy access to resources. Staff are very well deployed to ensure that children remain safe, well supported and supervised throughout their time at the nursery. The setting shows a firm commitment to ensuring that staff are well qualified, and they update their childcare knowledge through appropriate training courses and workshops. Staff undertaking further training are excited by their new-found knowledge and enjoy sharing this with the rest of the team at staff meetings. The setting has some very definite plans for the future, which include developing a narrow section of unused ground into a fully enclosed and freely accessible outdoor play area. They intend to provide good

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the early years provision

opportunities for children to explore nature and the natural environment by planning appropriate activities and encouraging children's ideas and suggestions. This indicates good capacity to improve. All children are valued and respected in the nursery. Their individual requirements and family needs are well known to staff, who use this information to inform their practices and individual planning.

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the early years provision

Parents spoken to at the time of the inspection expressed their complete confidence in the staff and commented on their children's development and enjoyment. They felt able to approach staff with ease and felt that staff always had time to listen to them and to share any concerns they have for their children. Clear written information provides parents with details about the provision and what activities their children participate in. The setting has systems in place to work in partnership with other early years provisions. Staff also work closely with local schools to aid transition.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their nursery experiences. They move calmly and confidently around the setting, freely accessing the planned and free play activities and resources on offer to them. For example, they have fun drawing and painting insects, animals and dinosaurs. They are ably assisted by adults, who support their learning through language extension. They chat with adults about colour recognition and where they may find particular insects or animals. Children commented that the church bell did not ring on their way into nursery. This This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 prompted staff to place a range of hand bells in the outdoor area. Children thoroughly enjoyed waking up the neighbourhood with the bells and talked excitedly about the noise they made. Staff observe and record the children's progress through clear written observations and they link their observations to

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and outcomes for children

areas of learning. However, the planning at present does not show how staff use their observations to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating experiences for each child. This impacts on staff's ability to build learning progressively and clearly identify children's individual needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave in ways which show that they are comfortable and feel safe in the provision. They enjoy the interaction they receive from adults and approach them for cuddles or to assist them in their play and learning. Children learn about keeping safe because staff remind them to walk carefully indoors and to change their outdoor shoes for indoor ones when they have finished playing outside. Children are kept healthy through the setting's clear policies and practices. They learn about the importance of hand washing and developing good health habits. Staff follow clear procedures with regards to keeping the premises clean and well maintained to reduce the spread of infection. Children have daily access to fresh air when they play in the small outdoor area and they go for regular walks in the local area, church grounds and woods. Children have access to fresh drinking water throughout the session to ensure that they remain well hydrated, and they

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and outcomes for children

enjoy a healthy and nutritious mid-session snack. Older children take turns to be actively involved in preparing and presenting the snack. They wash the cups and plates up when snack time is finished. Discussions and activities relating to healthy eating ensure that children develop knowledge and understanding of keeping healthy.

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and outcomes for children

Staff provide children with an exciting selection of planned and child-initiated activities, which enable them to develop effective skills for the future. For example, they have a range of drawing and writing materials available to help them to develop their handwriting skills. They use mathematical resources to promote their understanding of numbers and counting. Technical equipment, such as remote control toys, keyboards and phones, enables children to develop an understanding of technology. Children's self-esteem and confidence is enhanced by staff offering them constant praise and encouragement. They are actively encouraged to become independent and to make choices. Children are provided with opportunities to learn about different people's cultures and religions through the celebration of festivals and special occasions. 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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