DASH Play Scheme

DASH Play Scheme Borough Road Nursery School, Borough Road, DARLINGTON, County Durham, DL1 1SG

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 August 2017 9 April 2013

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 The manager implements good arrangements for recruitment, induction and vetting. This ensures new staff members are clear about their daily responsibilities and are familiar with the expectations.  Staff work together as a team to plan a varied selection of interesting and challenging experiences. They use details from their observations of children's play to successfully extend activities. All children progress well and gain a wide range of skills to support their learning at school.  Children develop a good understanding of mathematical concepts. For example, they talk about size and explore capacity and quantity as they fill and empty containers during sand play.  Staff involve children in regular trips and outings in the local area, such as visits to the farm and beach. This enables them to try new opportunities and supports them to socialise and mix with others.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 The programme for the professional development of all staff is not focused precisely on strengthening the good quality of interactions even further.  The manager has not fully established effective systems to enable staff to reflect on their daily practice and to share their ideas and suggestions.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 extend the programme of professional development so that it is highly focused on raising the quality of staff interactions to an even higher level  enhance performance management systems so staff have more opportunities to be reflective and to share best practice.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed all areas of the setting accessed by children and observed play opportunities.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and spoke to staff members in the setting.  The inspector carried out an interview with the manager and looked at and discussed a range of policies and procedures.  The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of staff working with children.  The inspector took account of the views of children, parents and carers spoken with on the day of inspection.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager fully understands the benefits of self-evaluation and involves others in this process. For instance, parents and children are actively encouraged to give their views and opinions through the use of evaluation forms. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff and volunteers are knowledgeable about what procedures to follow if they have any child protection concerns. In addition, the manager has a good understanding of his role as lead practitioner to safeguard children's welfare. The premises are safe and secure for children. Staff carry out daily safety checks to quickly identify and minimise any potential hazards. Partnerships with parents are positive. Staff communicate well with them and provide feedback about their children's activities and daily routines. On entry to the setting, staff ensure parents share relevant details about their children's likes, dislikes and skills. This enables staff to be fully aware of children's individual needs and interests

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children are confident and self-assured to lead their own play. Staff offer them appropriate levels of support and guidance when required. Children are engaged and concentrate well. They have access to a good selection of sensory and messy play activities to enable them to explore, investigate and be imaginative. Staff get down to children's level and effectively model and demonstrate during their play. They foster children's communication and language development very well. Staff use descriptive language, introduce new vocabulary and ask purposeful questions to encourage children to think for themselves. Children comfortably link their play to real-life experiences and develop their problem solving skills as they participate in construction activities.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff effectively foster children's emotional well-being. They are caring and reassuring to children who are fairly new to the setting. This helps children to develop strong bonds and secure attachments and to settle quickly in their surroundings. Staff have a secure understanding of how to manage children's behaviour. They use a fair and firm approach to help children to understand acceptable and appropriate boundaries. Children respond well to consistent praise and reinforcement from staff and are polite and well mannered. Staff encourage children to develop their independence and self-care skills. They support them to complete small tasks for themselves, for example, older children help to cut up fruit for snack time. Children have numerous opportunities for physical play. They learn how to take suitable risks in the outdoor area. This contributes well to healthy lifestyles.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY440668 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 1065827 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 3 - 7 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Darlington Association on Disability

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 9 April 2013 Telephone number 01325 489 999

p.4

reference number

DASH Play Scheme registered in 2011. DASH is an inclusive holiday play provision including children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. The setting employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 4 or above. The setting opens from 10am until 4pm, during school holidays.

p.4

reference number

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.

p.4

reference number

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

p.4

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

reference number

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

p.5