Sure Start Play Bus
Inspection report for early years provision
Unique reference number
Inspect ion date
Inspector
EY257271
18/03/2009
Elaine Marie McDonnell
Setting address
Sure Start, The T A D Centre, Ormesby Road,
Middlesbr ough, Cleveland, TS3 7SF
Telephone number
Email
Type of setting
01642 232261 01642256070
© Crown copyright 2009
Childcare on non-domestic premises
13681604
Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk
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Inspection Report: Sure Start Play Bus, 18/03/2009
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 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).
The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group
which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare
Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a
comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is
included in Annex B.
This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
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Inspection Report: Sure Start Play Bus, 18/03/2009
Description of the setting
Sure Start deliver play group sessions within different communities of
Middlesbrough from a specially adapted single-decker bus and have been
registered since October 2003. There is a general play area on the bus plus a
section to the rear for large physical play. There is also a toilet area with nappy
changing facilities. Children do not play outdoors when attending play sessions on
the bus but outings and visits are planned during summer terms.
Up to 10 children may be cared for at any one time. The provider is registered to
care for children in the early years age group and is also on the voluntary and
compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently 26 children on roll,
with a maximum of 10 attending each session.
The provision operates from locations in Berwick Hills, North Ormesby and Park
End during term times and also operates from Pallister Park during school holidays.
An additional room is registered at Park End Children's Centre for use if the bus is
off the road for any reason.
There are always a minimum of two members of staff on duty at any one time to
work directly with the children, excluding the bus driver who is also present and
offers support to staff, such as preparing snacks. Staff working with children have
appropriate qualifications.
Another, different provider is also registered to use the play bus at other times to
provide crèche sessions. This service is managed and inspected separately from
the play group sessions.
Overall effectiveness of the early years provision
Overall the quality of the provision is good. The environment is safe, secure and
attractive for children and they have access to a good range of activities to
promote all areas of learning. All records and documentation required for the safe
and efficient management of the provision are available, well kept, up to date and
most include all relevant information. A comprehensive system of self-assessment
and evaluation is in place which enables staff to ensure the continuous
improvement in the quality of care and education. An inclusive, friendly and
welcoming service is provided.
What steps need to be taken to improve provision
further?
To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:
ensure that records of accidents are more fully completed to include all
relevant information.
This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
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Inspection Report: Sure Start Play Bus, 18/03/2009
The leadership and management of the early years
provision
The early years provision is well led and managed. There is a varied range of
comprehensive policy and procedure documents available, which are reviewed and
updated, to support the good management of the provision and to ensure that the
needs of all children are met. However, some accident records are not fully
completed to include all relevant information. There is always a minimum of two
members of staff on duty to work directly with the children and records show that
adult to child ratios are sometimes above minimum recommendations, which
results in children receiving very good adult support and attention.
Rigorous and robust recruitment, vetting and induction procedures are in place to
ensure that adults looking after children are suitable and have appropriate
qualifications and skills. Staff have good access to ongoing training and
development opportunities and have attended many courses since the last
inspection, for example, first aid, food hygiene, additional needs and behaviour
support, oral health promotion, awareness of child abuse and neglect, and the
Early Years Foundation Stage, as well as access to degree level courses at
university.
A comprehensive system of self-assessment and evaluation is in place for staff to
ensure the continuous improvement in the quality of care and education provided.
Good improvements have been made since the last inspection with the
recommendations relating to documents and drinking water being addressed. Risk
assessments are well conducted and recorded to promote the safety of children.
Staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues
and are able to put local procedures into place. As a result, children are well
safeguarded.
The provision works well in partnership with parents. Parents are kept well
informed about their children’s achievements and progress through regular
discussions with staff and they are also involved in assessing their child's
development and attainment. Parents receive good quality information about the
provision and their views and feelings are regularly sought from staff as part of the
self-evaluation process. Staff also work with other providers delivering the Early
Years Foundation Stage and 'Play bus to nursery' forms are completed, with
parents consent, and include information about each child's social, intellectual and
physical skills, their conversational skills, concentration and interests.
The quality and standards of the early years provision
Adults support children's learning well by being involved in their play with them.
Children are involved in a varied range of planned play experiences, such as large
physical play, craft activities, role play, constructing with building bricks, singing
and using a selection of musical instruments. The quality of activity planning is
good, it takes account of children's interests and includes the six areas of learning.
Staff also evaluate each play session by completing 'Practitioner reflection sheets'.
These help to evaluate what the children have learnt and also to plan future
This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
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Inspection Report: Sure Start Play Bus, 18/03/2009
sessions and identify future learning outcomes.
Children's individual development is observed and recorded. Information from
observation and assessment is appropriately used to inform future planning and
ensure that children achieve as much as they can in relation to their starting points
and capabilities. Inclusion is well promoted and the setting supports a small
number of children with additional needs. Staff work closely with parents and with
other professionals to ensure that children's individual needs are fully met.
Children learn about keeping safe, they are involved in regular fire drills and
different topics and themes, such as transport and safety. Children have
appropriate opportunities to be active and learn to understand the benefits of
physical activity and a healthy diet. They receive healthy and nutritious snacks
each play session and know that food dropped on the floor is dirty and must go in
the bin. Children enjoy their learning and have a positive attitude towards new
experiences. They enjoy the activities and resources available and some are
reluctant to leave the bus when parents arrive, as they want to continue playing.
Children are encouraged to work independently and with each other, for example,
they are encouraged to join in, make friends, and sing a welcoming/goodbye song
to each other at the beginning and end of each session. Children have
opportunities to make choices and decisions and staff immediately get out
activities that the children ask for, such as gluing and painting. Children are
supported to make as much progress as they can in communicating, literacy,
numeracy, and information and communication technology. They have access to
electronic and programmable resources and their language skills are promoted by
staff who engage the children in regular discussions.
Children begin to understand the wider world through their play and
communications and learn about their own and other cultural backgrounds and
celebrations. They are generally well behaved and staff manage behaviour very
calmly and effectively, promoting a relaxed and friendly environment.
This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
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Inspection Report: Sure Start Play Bus, 18/03/2009
Annex A: record of inspection judgements
The key inspection judgements and what they mean
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
1
2
3
4
is
is
is
is
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?
How well does the provision promote inclusive practice?
The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous
improvement.
2
2
2
Leadership and management
How effectively is provision in the Early Years
Foundation Stage led and managed?
How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the
steps taken to promote improvement?
How well does the setting work in partnership with parents
and others?
How well are children safeguarded?
2
2
2
2
Quality and standards
How effectively are children in the Early Years
Foundation Stage helped to learn and develop?
How effectively is the welfare of children in the Early
Years Foundation Stage promoted?
How well are children helped to stay safe?
How well are children helped to be healthy?
How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve?
How well are children helped to make a positive
contribution?
How well are children helped develop skills that will
contribute to their future economic well-being?
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
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
This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
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Inspection Report: Sure Start Play Bus, 18/03/2009
Annex B: the Childcare Register
The provider confirms that the requirements of the
compulsory part of the Childcare Register are:
Met
The provider confirms that the requirements of the
voluntary part of the Childcare Register are:
Met
This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
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