Little Legs Day Nursery Ltd

Little Legs Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Little Legs Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY262372 Inspection date 22 May 2006 Inspector Elaine Marie McDonnell

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Little Legs Nursery

Setting Address 70 Thames Road, Redcar, Cleveland, TS10 1PP

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E-mail

Registered person Little Legs Day Nurseries Ltd Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day care, Out of School care

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E-mail

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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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 judgements 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.

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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 For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Little Legs Nursery has been registered since May 2003 and is one of two provisions owned by Little Legs Day Nurseries Ltd. Both settings are situated in converted buildings amongst a parade of shops in a residential area of Redcar. The nursery serves both the local and wider communities. Full day care is provided for up to 12 children aged under 2 years at any one time and out of school and holiday care are provided for up to 19 children from school age to under 8 years. Children over 8 years are also cared for.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children under 2 years have the use of two rooms on the ground floor. Older children are accommodated on the first floor of the building and have the use of two rooms plus a bathroom. There are two separate outdoor play areas attached to the provision, one for each age group. There are currently 18 children on roll in the baby room aged from 5 months to 2 years and there are 28 children on roll in the out of school club aged from 5 to 13 years. The nursery opens each weekday from 07.30 to 18.00. However, some children may spend some time at the providers other nursery, which is close by, at the beginning and the end of each day. There are two full time members of staff employed to work directly with the children in the baby room. There are three members of staff employed to work in the out of

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

school provision. Some members of staff work in both of the providers settings and additional staff are available depending on the number of children attending. All staff members have early years qualifications and the setting receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because practitioners follow current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene procedures. For example, they wear aprons and gloves during nappy changing routines and changing mats and high chairs are cleaned after each use. Older children in the out of school provision have a good understanding of why simple, good hygiene practices are important. For example, they explain that any germs on their hands can make them ill if they get into their stomachs whilst eating. Appropriate accident and illness procedures are in place to promote children's health and are well implemented by staff. For example, staff are observed contacting parents when children appear ill. An appropriate first aid box is available and there is always at least one member of staff with a current first aid training certificate on duty at any one time. Children are well nourished, they receive varied and nutritious two course meals and

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Helping children to be healthy

regular snacks. Older children are offered alternatives at snack time if they do not want what is on the menu. Drinks are served with meals and snacks, however, fresh drinking water is not readily available at all times in the baby room. Snack time for the older children is a sociable, relaxed and enjoyable occasion with the children sitting together and chatting. However, meal times are not as sociable for babies in high chairs as staff stand over them to feed them, there is little eye contact, communication or social interaction. Babies are fed at times to suit their individual routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Practitioners work well with parents to ensure that children's health and dietary needs are well met. For example, written details about children's individual dietary requirements are obtained and any special food that parents provide is prepared at the nursery for them. Children have good opportunities to enjoy physical activity with the good range of push along, ride on toys and outdoor play equipment available. Babies have good opportunities to rest and sleep according to their needs. Older children have opportunities to be involved in quieter activities when they return from school if they wish, such as using craft materials and reading.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Staff ensure that some good steps are taken to promote a safe environment for children, for example, they complete daily, room safety checks before the children arrive. They also complete safety checks of the outdoor play areas before the children go outside. However, the code for access to the main entrance door is clearly displayed and a record of visitors to the setting is not maintained. Children have access to a suitable range of resources and play materials, including items for outdoor play. Resources are easily accessible for both the babies and the older children and staff ensure that all items remain safe and suitable for use, with regular checking and cleaning routines. Good steps have been taken to ensure a secure and safe outdoor environment for children and appropriate written procedures are in place to ensure they are kept safe

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

on outings. Risk assessments have been completed but are not easily accessible for staff as they are stored at the providers other nursery. Some health and safety procedures are well implemented, such as the illness procedure. However, staff are not fully aware of the emergency evacuation procedure and these do not include measures to be taken where children are located above ground level. Children's welfare is appropriately protected as staff understand their role in relation to child protection issues and are able to put appropriate procedures into practise when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are involved in a suitable range of activities to promote development in all areas of learning. For example, they participate in craft activities and physical play. They enjoy looking at books, singing, using shape sorters and musical and interactive toys. Older children enjoy lots of social interaction and discussions with adults and peers. They are also involved in activities in relation to wider society, for instance, designing costumes and writing about different places around the world.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Activities for older children are effectively planned and evaluated. Staff working with babies have had access to training in relation to Birth to three matters and have a developing understanding of how to implement the framework into the care provided. They are beginning to plan and evaluate a suitable range of activities for babies. There are good opportunities for babies to acquire new skills in relation to physical development, for example, when they use the range of push along toys that are readily available for them. Children are developing confidence and self-esteem with appropriate praise and encouragement from staff. Some older children have good opportunities to develop independence as some are chosen to be 'team leaders'. They are responsible for ensuring that all of the children on their table at snack time have a drink, food and are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

well behaved. Children show an interest in what they do and the older ones have good opportunities to use their initiative. For example, they are involved in devising the rules for the out of school club and are also involved in deciding on future themes and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Equal opportunities is appropriately promoted within the setting as all children are included and involved, their individual needs are met. Appropriate procedures are in place for the identification and assessment of children with special needs. Most of the babies are settled and happy in the nursery and key members of staff in the baby room have a lovely manner with them. For example, they talk calmly and soothingly to the babies and are responsive to their needs. Older children enjoy the out of school club and the activities available to them. Children are well behaved and enjoy good relationships with staff and peers. The setting works well in partnership with parents and information is effectively shared to ensure that children’s individual needs are met. Parents are kept informed of their child's development and progress through regular discussions with staff. A parent that is interviewed at the time of the inspection expresses very positive

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Helping children make a positive contribution

comments about the provision and about the staff caring for babies. Parents receive useful written information about the provision and policy and procedure documents are readily available to them. However, the previous inspection report is not readily available for parents as it is stored at the providers other nursery.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for by staff who are qualified in childcare. However, the recruitment and vetting procedure is inconsistent. An appropriate induction procedure for staff is available. Staff have good access to ongoing training and

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 development courses and since the last inspection all members of staff have attended various training courses. For example, Birth to three matters, first aid, health and safety, culture and diversity, additional needs and behaviour support. Children receive appropriate adult support and attention, however, adult to child ratios are not always maintained in the baby room. Most documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the provision is available and most policies and procedures work in practise to promote children's well-being. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the provider was asked to ensure that policies and procedures relating to day care activities contain all required information and to keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children. Also to ensure confidentiality in relation to accident records. The organisation of the provision has been improved as policies and procedures have been updated and are periodically reviewed, medication records are signed by parents and accident records are kept confidential. The provider was also asked to improve procedures for identifying children's individual feeding utensils. Drinking cups and bottles are now marked with the child's name.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve the security system of the premises and ensure that a record of visitors is maintained • improve staffs understanding of the fire evacuation procedure and ensure that there are clearly defined procedures where children are located about ground level • further develop the recruitment, vetting and induction procedure to unsure it is rigorous • ensure that adult-child ratios are maintained at all times.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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