OFSTED
Better Education
and Care
SEAHORSES NURSERY
Inspection Report for Early Years Provision
Unique Reference Number EY288515
Inspection Date 25/05/2005
Inspector Michael
Collins
Setting Address St.
Petroc’s School, Ocean View Road,
Bude, Cornwall, EX23 8NJ
Telephone Number 01288
354262
E-Mail stpetrocsseahorses@talk21.com
Registered Person St.
Petroc’s School Trust
Type of Inspection Care
Type of Care Full Day
Care
© Crown Copyright 2005
Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk
This document may be freely
produced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided
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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION
The purpose of
this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality
of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA
Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where
nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and
Framework Act 1998.
This report details the main strengths and
any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgments included in the report are
made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004;
the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where
nursery education is provided, the curriculum guidance for the foundation stage.
The report
includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which
Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004
whichever is the later.
Outstanding: This aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality
Good: This aspect of the provision is strong
Satisfactory: This aspect of the provision is sound
Inadequate: This aspect of the provision is not good enough
For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for inspection? Which is available from Ofsted’s website:
On the basis of
the evidence collected on this inspection:
The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.
Seahorses Nursery has been registered since 2004. It is situated on the first floor of St. Petroc’s School in Bude. It operates from four rooms. The nursery is registered for 38 children from birth to three year olds. The nursery is open each weekday from 08:00 to 18:00, for 49 weeks per year.
There are currently fifty four children aged from three months to three years old on roll. Children come from a wide catchment area, including the seaside town of Bude and the surrounding countryside.
A manager and eleven staff work with the children. There is also a cleaner on the staff team. Ten members of staff, including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications. One member of staff is working towards a qualification. Overnight care is not provided.
HELPING CHILDREN TO BE HEALTHY
The provision is satisfactory.
Staff have a sound understanding of the early years guidance, birth to three matters, and this, coupled with their mainly secure knowledge of the nursery’s health and hygiene procedures, helps to foster children’s health. A variety of planned activities aid in the children’s physical development and, where possible, staff encourage and support children to be independent in self-care skills. For example, children enjoy physical activities in the nursery playground using a variety of large and small play equipment, and staff support older children to put on and remove their own coats and shoes.
The nursery provides healthy food that appeal to children and meet their dietary needs. They make sure parents’ wishes are taken into account and keep written records of need. For example, providing vegetarian dishes and avoiding certain foods because of allergies. The children enjoy a particularly good range of fruit, vegetables and nutritious foods. Drinks of milk, water or juice are always available to them. However cold storage of food is inadequate and there is no monitoring of refrigeration temperatures.
Children are cared for in a warm and child-friendly environment. They learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through example and discussion. They are beginning to understand why they must wash their hands before eating, and after using the toilet, and this helps to reduce the risk of cross contamination.
The provision is satisfactory.
The use of risk assessments and staff’s consistent vigilance reduces potentional hazards for children, both within the nursery and when on outings and trips. By minimising risks, staff enable children to move around and explore their environment with safety and growing confidence.
There is a broad range of good quality resources which children self-select confidently. These are used with purpose and appropriately by staff to aid and assist children in all developmental areas. Those with special needs are safe and fully included in the day to day activities because of sensitive adult support and the provision of suitable adaptations to resources and activities.
The setting has the majority of required procedures and documents in place to make sure children’s welfare is promoted and safeguarded. For example, all staff hold current first aid certificates and each has a good knowledge of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. However, procedures for recording and monitoring sleeping infants are occasionally ineffective and staff are unable to hear crying or distressed babies through the appropriate fire safety doors.
The provision is good.
Children clearly enjoy their time in nursery, quickly settling in. The staff’s good understanding and planned use of early years guidance, such as birth to three matters and links to the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage, obviously assist children to achieve well, and progress in all areas of development. For example, they are learning to share, and their powers of concentration are increasing through use of story times and music sessions.
On arrival children are happy and pleased to participate. Staff’s sensitivity toward children’s individuality and need ensures that new or anxious children are skilfully settled and happy to remain in the nursery. The consistent warm and caring relationships dveloped by staff foster the children’s trust and sense of well being. These relationships result in good adult-child interactions which in turn help to promote the development of early communication skills. The relaxed and child-friendly environment allows older children to confidently make their own choices and they are absorbed and happy in their play.
The provision is good.
Children are warmly welcomed and appropriate steps are taken to ensure that their individual need, family background and parental wishes are taken into consideration. In order to assist children to integrate, accept each other, and feel welcome in the nursery their individuality and family context are respected and taken into account when planning or adapting resources and activities.
Staff support children in sharing and turn taking. They set consistent boundaries and have developed warm mutually respectful relationships. Childen’s understanding of right and wrong is increased as they respond to gentle reminders to care for their environment, the nursery resources, and each other. All of this results in very good behaviour from the children.
A very good partnership with parents contributes greatly to the children’s well-being in the nursery. Parental views and opinions are actively sought prior to admission, and on a regular basis during children’s time at the nursery. These are valued, respected and acted upon. Staff ensure that parents are aware of how their children are progressing and developing. The involvement of parents in the setting’s activities and their good communication with staff benefit the children greatly.
The organisation is satisfactory.
The induction programme and very good team work make sure all staff work together well to promote children’s health, achievement and enjoyment. However, whilst the registered person uses recognised and effective recruitment procedures which ensure staff are appropriately vetted and qualified, the regulator has not been informed of staff changes.
The nursery is mainly well organised and both indoor and outdoor space is used to maximise play opportunities for children. All legally required documentation which contributes to children’s health, safety and well being is in place and regularly reviewed. Skilled and qualified staff, who are highly motivated and committed, contribute to the day to day running of the nursery and it’s continued improvement and development. Overall the provision meets the needs of all children who attend.
Not applicable.
There are no complaints to report.
On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:
The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.
To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):