Hadley Park Ofsted

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Ofsted Report for our Hadley Park Nursery

CHILDCARE INSPECTION -22/10/2007

Inspector - O Pulker

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.

What sort of setting is it?
There is a total of 35 part-time and full-time staff, including a qualified Early Years teacher, that work with the children. Of these, over half hold appropriate early years qualifications. Six staff are currently working towards a qualification.

Helping children to be healthy.
The nursery has received a gold award under the Healthy Eating scheme and children benefit from a healthy diet. They enjoy a varied menu of freshly prepared, balanced meals and all snacks and meals comply with any special dietary requirements to ensure children remain healthy. Cooked lunches are provided daily and a selection of sandwiches or fresh fruit are served at snack times.

Children have good opportunities to learn about keeping healthy through regular exercise. The use of physical play equipment and the enthusiastic participation in outdoor games promotes their physical development. Their coordination and spatial awareness develops as they enjoy using a variety of wheeled toys and ball games. In addition to the outdoor play area children have regular sessions in the soft play and ball pool room.

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe.
Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe environment. The main entrance door is locked and clearly visible from the reception desk ensuring no unauthorised persons can gain access.

Children use a varied range of safe, good quality and developmentally appropriate resources.

Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because staff are vigilant and use thorough risk assessments to reduce potential hazards. Accident records are reviewed to identify any trends and where possible take early preventative action.

Children are well-protected by staff who have a clear understanding of child protection. Comprehensive and effective policies and procedures are in place to promote and give high priority to children's welfare

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do.
Children are confident in the setting's welcoming and caring environment. Staff use the 'Birth to three matters' framework effectively to plan a wide range of interesting experiences and activities to help children learn through their play. Young babies receive cuddles and enjoy the positive interaction they receive from the staff. They chortle when being tickled or staff play 'peek-a-boo' with them. They show their enjoyment of nursery rhymes by clapping their hands on their thighs and show good interest as they explore a colourful variety of 'discovery' toys. Children play happily together, using resources such as dressing-up clothes, cardboard boxes, construction bricks and puzzles. They relish outdoor play and are developing good physical skills as they ride on wheeled toys and practise their catching and kicking skills when playing with balls. Staff promote children's language and communication skills well.

NURSERY EDUCATION

Children are making clear progress towards the early learning goals. Staff have a sound understanding of the Foundation Stage of learning and plan a varied and interesting range of activities that promote a balanced curriculum.

Children are interested and motivated to learn through well-planned resources and activities which stimulate their enthusiasm and questioning. Their confidence is promoted through a good balance of adult-led activities and free play in which they are learning to be responsible, share and take turns. Children are considerate and polite to each other and many enjoy contributing in large group activities, such as, talking about their own experiences.

Children's knowledge of the world around them is good. They meet and talk with people from outside the nursery who help us. Their understanding of the world around us is expanded through well-planned activities and projects, including plenty of positive displays throughout the nursery.

Children develop their physical skills through use of the outside and indoor play areas. They negotiate pathways skilfully when riding on wheeled toys and catch, throw and kick balls to develop their coordination.

Children are able to express themselves freely through drawing and enjoy exploring different textures, such as sand and dough. They experiment with textile art as they use tye dye or fabric pens to create colourful designs on material. Children use their imaginations well as they play in the home corner and have regular access to a varied range of musical instruments that staff use effectively to develop children's understanding of rhythm and sounds.

Helping children make a positive contribution.
The nursery has good arrangements in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. All children are valued and respected as individuals. Routines are adapted if required, to accommodate individual needs and where possible enhance inclusion. Children are able to play with all age-appropriate toys, regardless of gender. Staff value children's work and praise them for their efforts. Children's art work is displayed throughout the nursery to provide a colourful exhibition of their achievements and promote their sense of belonging and self-esteem.

Children are able to share the toys and enjoy playing together, taking turns. Behaviour is good; rules are clear, consistent and understood by the children. They put fingers to their lips to remind others that they are to sit quietly and listen during circle time. The good use of praise and encouragement given by staff helps to build children's confidence and self-esteem.

Relationships with parents are promoted appropriately and children settle well because detailed information about the child's needs are obtained and regularly reviewed. Parents are made aware of how the setting operates through the prospectus, newsletters, and details of the daily routine which are displayed outside each room.

The full Ofsted report is available at the nursery.