Blue Skies Nursery

Blue Skies Nursery 194 Broadfields Avenue, EDGWARE, Middlesex, HA8 8TF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13/03/2014 12/06/2013

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early years provision

This inspection: 3 Previous inspection: 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 3 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 3

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This provision requires improvement

 A suitable key person system helps children to form attachments and this promotes their well-being in the nursery setting.  Staff have a sound understanding of safeguarding children and the procedures to follow if they were concerned about a child.  Staff set up the garden area well to ensure it supports all areas of development equally to the indoor environment.  The nursery staff have a generally good working relationships with parents/carers and ensure they are provided with daily verbal feedback about their child's day.

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It is not yet good because

 The provider/manager does not ensure there is always at least one person present who holds a paediatric first aid certificate.  Staff complete observations on children but do not always accurately assess their development so that they clearly identify where children need support.  Staff do not allow children enough scope for developing their own ideas in their play.  The provision provides sufficient food for children. However, staff do not plan the routine to ensure that drinks are always available and that children who may need a snack earlier in the session are able to make this choice.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spent the majority of inspection time observing the children in the nursery and garden as they played.  The inspector sampled children's information and development records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held discussions with the manager throughout the visit, including discussing safeguarding and sampling a range of policies.  The inspector discussed the nursery with a representative sample of parents.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector and manager completed a joint observation and discussed their observations of staff practice.

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Information about the setting

Blue Skies Nursery registered in 2010 and is managed by a private provider. The nursery operates from Open Heavens Church Hall in Edgware, in the London Borough of Barnet. Children have access to three rooms. There is a secure garden for outdoor play. The nursery is open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday during term time. There are currently 21 children in the early years age group on roll, aged from two to under five years. It receives funding for the provision of free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and children with English as an additional language The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The nursery employs five staff of whom three hold relevant childcare qualifications.

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must:

 ensure there is at least one person with a current paediatric first aid certificate on the premises at all times when children are present, and must accompany children on outings

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must:

 improve staff's knowledge of accurately assessing children's development so that it identifies the children's strengths and any areas where children's progress is less than expected

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must:

 ensure that children can access fresh drinking water appropriately at all times

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 improve staff's knowledge of planning and providing suitable experiences which involves time for child-initiated activities

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 review the organisation of the daily routine to offer children the opportunity to choose to have an earlier snack.

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who attend

Overall staff know children well due to the small nature of the group and because all children are cared for mainly in one playroom. Staff complete many observations and maintain children's learning records satisfactorily. They contain information such as 'all about me' forms which enables the key carer to build up knowledge of the children's individual likes, dislikes and interests. However, there are some inconsistencies in staff's knowledge and awareness of how to assess children's development accurately and as a result children's learning is not supported fully.

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who attend

Children arrive and after saying 'good bye' to their parent or carer explore the environment and settle down to play. Staff ensure there is a sufficient range of interesting activities set out which promote most areas of learning. In addition resources are easily accessible to children because there is a good amount of low-level storage. Therefore, this supports children to gain skills in becoming independent. Overall staff interact with children and support their communication and language as they play through-out the day. However there is less opportunity for children to engage in child-initiated play as at times staff intervene too quickly, directing children rather than allowing them the scope to develop their imagination. For example when children choose to paint staff hold their hand to direct them where to make marks on the paper.

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who attend

Children can freely move between the indoor and outdoor environments for most of the day and thoroughly enjoy the outdoors. The garden is well resourced and children enjoy exploring and tending to the plants as they use the water sprayers. In addition they spend time exploring in the sand and water and enjoy various climbing and balancing equipment which supports their all around physical skills.

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who attend

Children who speak English as an additional language are supported soundly as staff obtain key words to help children settle. There are satisfactory systems to ensure early support is sought for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Parents have regular opportunities to meet with staff to discuss their children's achievements and progress.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The nursery has a suitable key person system in place which supports children to feel secure and have a sense of belonging. Overall, staff are friendly and caring towards the children. Children's personal social and emotional development is fostered soundly. Children have formed some positive friendships and play well together. Staff manage children's behaviour well and use positive strategies to deal with any minor issues that may occur.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children's specific health, dietary needs and allergies are recorded. Children with any specific dietary needs are provided with a place mat for meals so that staff adhere to any dietary restrictions at all times. Children learn about healthy lifestyles and follow good hygiene practices using soap and paper towels for their hands before meals or after toileting. In addition staff follow good hygiene routines when changing nappies ensuring they wear disposable gloves to prevent cross contamination. Children are provided with a range of nutritious food. However, the routine of the morning means that children go a long time before a snack is offered and cannot choose to have this earlier if they wish. In addition although there are water coolers available staff do not make cups accessible for children to use these independently, meaning that children have to ask for a drink. This does not fully support all children's health needs.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The nursery is welcoming and children move freely and safely in their environment because staff take appropriate steps to ensure that hazards are kept to a minimum. Gentle reminders from staff help children to understand about keeping themselves safe as they play and use a variety of equipment. The nursery entrance is secure with the front door locked. Staff are also aware of checking any visitors identification before gaining access to the premises.

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provision

The inspection was brought forward following concerns received regarding the suitability of staff, the quality of the food and hygiene. At the inspection it was found that staff supervise children appropriately and comply with the required staff to child ratios. Staff behaviour to children is appropriate. It was also found that suitable recruitment procedures are in place which includes ensuring all staff have a Disclosure Barring Service check completed when they start work. The nursery was found to have good standards of hygiene in place. It was found that children are provided with a suitable range of food but staff do not always ensure that they are providing children with snacks and drinks regularly enough. In addition as the provider/manager is the only person holding a paediatric first aid certificate there has been occasions when she has not been present. This is breach of the welfare requirements. However the risk to children is minimised as

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provision

other staff do have first aid knowledge and are waiting to update their certificates. As a result of the inspection findings the provider is required to take further action. She is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements relating to first aid and food and drink of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

The provider/manager and staff team demonstrate a sound commitment to the development of the provision and identify some areas for improvement. All previous recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed. Furthermore there is now a process in place for reviewing the progress of children between the ages of two and three years.

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provision

The provider/manager understands the importance of having a supervision system in place to monitor and support staff however these do not fully address weaknesses in staff's knowledge of how to assess children's development or in how to plan for a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Staff are keen to up-date their professional development and some staff are currently studying for a level 3 qualification. Staff have a sound understanding of the safeguarding policy and know what action to take if they are concerned about a child.

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provision

Relationships with parents are positive and welcoming and a regular exchange takes place verbally at the beginning and end of the session. Staff recognise the importance of working with other professionals to ensure that all children receive the support they need. Parents are pleased with the service provided by the setting and express how they have seen their children develop.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are

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actions)

The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are

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To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

 ensure there is at least one person who is caring for children has an appropriate first aid qualification (compulsory part of Childcare Register)  ensure there is at least one person who is caring for children has an appropriate first aid qualification (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY395150 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 959021 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 8 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 21 Name of provider Linda Olayinka Date of previous inspection 12/06/2013 Telephone number 02089581408

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Setting details

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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