Our Latest Ofsted Report October 2008....

Scarcroft Green
Inspection report for early years provision
Unique reference number
EY227482
Inspection date
16/09/2008
Inspector
Diane Lynn Turner / Rosemary Beyer
Setting address
54a Nunthorpe Road, York, North Yorkshire, YO23 1BP
Telephone number
01904 672 696
Email
Type of setting
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Inspection Report: Scarcroft Green, 16/09/2008
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This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
Introduction
This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.
The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.
The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).
Inspection Report: Scarcroft Green, 16/09/2008
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This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
Description of the setting
Scarcroft Green nursery opened in September 2003 and is run by the charity York Childcare. It is situated in the Scarcroft area of York on the primary school site and operates from a two storey detached building which has been extended. Children are cared for in two play rooms on the ground floor and the first floor is used as offices for the charity. There is an enclosed area at the rear of the premises for outdoor play. A maximum of 35 children may attend the nursery at any one time. Opening times are Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 18.00 all year round, with the exception of bank holidays and the week between Christmas and the new year. The nursery serves the local area and commuters from outside the city. There are currently 54 children on roll, all of whom are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The nursery is a member of the National Day Nursery Association and is working towards a quality assurance award. There are 13 staff employed, 12 of whom including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications. In addition there are four support staff employed as a teatime or breakfast assistant, cook and cleaners.
Overall effectiveness of the early years provision
Staff use their knowledge of children's individual needs very well to successfully promote most aspects of their learning and welfare. All children are making effective progress, given their age, ability and starting points. They are kept safe and secure, develop good relationships with the staff who care for them and enjoy their learning. The partnership with parents, carers and other agencies is good and contributes very effectively to ensuring children's needs are met and that they receive any additional support they may need. Regular self-evaluation by the manager and staff team ensures that areas for development are identified and improvements made to enhance the outcomes for children.
What steps need to be taken to improve provision further?
To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:
ensure children in the two to fives room are supported by staff in extending their self initiated play improve the opportunities for the older children to see and use numbers in their everyday environment improve the storage of children's pushchairs.
The leadership and management of the early years provision
Inspection Report: Scarcroft Green, 16/09/2008
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This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
Effective safeguarding policies ensure that children are well protected. Recruitment and vetting procedures are robust, with thorough and effective induction procedures in place for any new staff and students. All staff undertake training in safeguarding children and are vigilant in following established procedures to ensure children are protected. For example, when attending to their personal care needs, such as nappy changing. The management structure is clearly defined and the staff team work very well together. There is an effective key person system which is implemented particularly well in the baby room. All children are welcome to attend whatever their social, cultural or religious background. Detailed discussion with parents and information recorded on the enrolment form ensures staff are fully aware of the children's individual care needs and how these can be met, and that children with learning difficulties or disabilities or whose first language is not English are well supported. Thorough and detailed risk assessments are undertaken on the premises and for outings, with additional daily checks being carried out before children use the outdoor area. There are good systems in place to ensure the premises remain secure at all times, however, the provision for the storage of children's pushchairs is not effectively managed and could hinder the efficient evacuation of the premises in an emergency. The quality of the provision is monitored very effectively. All staff are fully involved in the development of the nursery through working towards a quality assurance award, discussion at staff meetings and their input into the self-evaluation process. Parents views are sought through questionnaires and the regular nursery forums and the recommendations from the previous inspection have been implemented. As a result of this collaboration, improvements have been made to the menus and the surface in the outdoor area in particular.
The quality and standards of the early years provision
The nursery provides a welcoming, stimulating environment where children freely choose and explore the interesting resources and enjoy a wide range of learning opportunities. Staff make detailed observations of their interests and use these in planning the programme of activities. This is done particularly well by the staff in the baby room where children are offered activities that are exciting and captivating. For example, staff had noticed the children were very interested in balls and on the inspection they were intrigued by the different sizes and textures on offer, showing delight as they used these to splash in the water tray. The older children independently select their own activities, they concentrate well to complete their chosen tasks and their behaviour is good. However, staff are not always confident in extending the children's learning during activities they initiate themselves, or in providing sufficient opportunities for them to see and use numbers in their everyday environment. The opportunities provided for children to develop their understanding of health and bodily awareness is a particular strength of the nursery and results in the older
Inspection Report: Scarcroft Green, 16/09/2008
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This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
children being very independent in their self care. For example, they fully understand why they need to use soap when washing their hands and they independently access tissues to blow their nose and dispose of these correctly. All children thoroughly enjoy being outside in the fresh air. They learn about keeping fit and particularly enjoy planting, caring for and harvesting various fruits and vegetables. Children's progress towards the early learning goals is good and effectively monitored by the comprehensive records of achievements staff complete as a result of their regular observations. Parents have ready access to these records, with daily diaries and verbal feedback ensuring good communication is maintained about their child’s care and development.
Inspection Report: Scarcroft Green, 16/09/2008
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This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
Annex A: record of inspection judgements
The key inspection judgements and what they mean
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
Overall effectiveness
How effective is the provision in meeting the needs of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?
Good
How well does the provision promote inclusive practice?
Good
The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.
Good
Leadership and management
How effectively is provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage led and managed?
Good
How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement?
Good
How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others?
Good
How well are children safeguarded?
Good
Quality and standards
How effectively are children in the Early Years Foundation Stage helped to learn and develop?
Good
How effectively is the welfare of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage promoted?
Good
How well are children helped to stay safe?
Good
How well are children helped to be healthy?
Good
How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve?
Good
How well are children helped to make a positive contribution?
Good
How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?
Good
Any complaints about the inspection or report should be made following the procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk
Inspection Report: Scarcroft Green, 16/09/2008
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This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted
This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when: we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.
We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.
Detail of the complaint/s
There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.
The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.