Shrewsbury Ofsted

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Ofsted Report for our Shrewsbury Nursery

CHILDCARE INSPECTION - 04/02/2008

Inspector - D Andrews / Kathryn Mary Harding

Outstanding: this aspect of this provision is of exceptionally high quality
Good: this aspect of this provision is strong
Satisfactory: this aspect of this provision is sound
Inadequate: this aspect of this provision is not good enough

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:-

- the quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8's care and childminding.

- the quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

Helping children to be healthy.

Children relish the freshly cooked meals on offer that are appetising and interesting as they develop an awareness of healthy eating. They learn why certain foods are good for them through topics and themes. Children learn to make healthy choices at snack times because they are offered a selection of fruits, fresh and dried, which most eat with enthusiasm. Children with special dietary requirements are offered well-considered, suitable alternatives at meal times. All children are offered water frequently throughout the day so they are well hydrated. The nursery is continuously looking at ways to improve their provision of meals and is presently working towards a healthy eating award. Staff working with the younger babies ensure that feeds are conducted in a relaxed and calm atmosphere as they settle in a comfortable position to bottle feed and comfort them. Such practice follows individual care plans, which are regularly updated as babies progress to first solids.

Children take part in physical activity every day. Music, movement and dancing and group activities with the parachute help children stretch or move with enjoyment and confidence indoors. Babies visit the garden or go for walks when staffing levels and the weather permits, so they have some opportunities to enjoy fresh air. The outdoor environment has been carefully planned so children of all ages benefit from an excellent range of resources and play opportunities. Wheeled toys can be raced around in open spaces so children learn to steer and manoeuvre with confidence. There are gradients for children to negotiate, pathways for them to follow and balance and climbing equipment to develop children's skills in this area.

 

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe.

Children are kept safe in the nursery because security is given high priority, for example parents consistently follow the procedures for entry into the building, using the intercom to announce their arrival and providing an individual password, which is confirmed by their child's carer. Staff are committed to providing a bright, friendly and welcoming environment where children enter each care base greeted by a familiar key staff member. The heating system in the nursery has been causing some problems and at times the temperature has not been comfortable for children attending, in particular first thing in the morning. Essential maintenance has rectified the problem to promote children's well-being. Staff follow comprehensive daily checks for the indoor and outdoor areas and are vigilant in maintaining a safe environment, removing potential hazards to ensure children's safety in all areas of the building. Children learn to keep themselves safe as there is clear guidance on how to respond in an emergency.

Children use an extensive range of developmentally appropriate resources. Innovative pieces of equipment support interesting activities, these include resources such as clear writing boards, sensory boards both in and outdoors, water painting equipment in the garden and a mud hole, developed to further enhance opportunities for exploration in the outdoor area. A selection of resources are organised in accessible storage so that children can choose from them safely and easily. This enables them to make some independent decisions and start to follow their own interests. Children are encouraged to tidy away resources, helping them to learn to maintain a safe play space. Ambulant babies reach their own toys, which are set out attractively and effectively within their rooms; this encourages the development of their independence and leads to the initiation of their own activities.

 

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do.

Children are confident and at ease in the setting, building warm and trusting relationships with staff. Toddlers choose from the activities provided by staff to offer variety and a basis for their own choice from the boxes available at an accessible level. They have opportunities to take part in a variety of messy play opportunities, feeling the softness of shaving foam, clapping their hands and creating spray or painting with a range of sponge pads and rollers, most are enthusiastic in their activities. Staff are deployed effectively to support and promote the development of the children in their key groups. This enables children to feel settled and secure as staff know them well.

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. Children show an interest in what they are doing and staff support them well in their play, making children feel valued.

Children behave well, with staff praising and encouraging them, so enhancing their self-esteem. Children are offered opportunities to be 'table monitors', to ensure at meal times that their peers are behaving well, so encouraging children to understand and be aware of what good behaviour looks like. Good manners are encouraged and children spontaneously thank each other for passing the mobile telephones to them. Children play very well together and have lots of opportunities to develop their self-care skills as they freely access tissues and put their own coats on prior to going outdoors. At times children have opportunities for child-initiated play but this, at times, can be restricted by staff.

Children's physical skills develop and improve through a variety of opportunities. They move confidently around the rooms and the outdoor area. They enjoy playing outdoors with the balls and balancing on the wheeled boards. They access a wide range of small equipment to develop their fine control skills such as scissors and constructions sets. They butter their own toast at snack time so encouraging their fine scale skills.

Good systems are in place to care for children with learning difficulties or disabilities, including liaising with parents, outside agencies and ensuring individual plans are in place. Overall, children make good progress in all areas.

 

Helping children make a positive contribution.

Children are welcomed into the setting and are valued by staff who respect their individuality. Parents provide detailed information to ensure their individual needs can be met. Children develop a sense of belonging because sensitive settling-in procedures help to ensure children and parents are familiar with the staff and routines of the provision. Children have named coat pegs and their personal belongings and comforters are kept safe, yet close by if children need them. Children have many opportunities to learn to value diversity and gain an understanding of how others live; they take part in interesting activities such as the exploration of cultural festivals and national days like Shrove Tuesday, St Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year and Hanukah. They also learn about the differing needs of others as they participate eagerly in organised charitable events such as Children in Need, and they play with a range of resources which positively promote the wider world.

Children behave well and most play harmoniously together. They are praised by staff for their efforts, developing their self-esteem in a positive way that is meaningful to them. They are polite, caring and understand the realistic and appropriate expectations staff have of their behaviour. There are consistent guidelines so children have a clear understanding of right and wrong. Records are kept of any issues that staff may identify and discussions are held with parents at an early point to address any concerns most effectively. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

 

Organisation.

Children's welfare, care and safety are effectively promoted in this friendly and well-organised setting. Staff are skilled, committed and enthusiastic in their practice ensuring that children make good progress, supported well in most aspects of their care and learning. The management team has successfully developed robust recruitment and appointment procedures to ensure children are protected and cared for by staff with a sound knowledge and understanding of child development. The stable and cohesive staff team is effectively deployed to ensure there are healthy adult to child ratios throughout the nursery, resulting in children being well supported in their play.

Leadership and management of the setting is good. The registered person uses effective recruitment procedures, which ensure that staff are appropriately vetted and qualified. Staff are friendly and caring and work well together as a team to promote children's health, enjoyment and achievement. They evaluate the planned sessions to ensure children's progression and work cooperatively with the management to fully promote the continued development of the service. Staff are supported to attend regular training, so demonstrating a commitment to developing their knowledge and enhancing practice. They have annual appraisals and motivating bonus incentives to encourage a stable staffing group. Thus promoting consistency and continuity.

The full Ofsted report is available at the nursery.