Nicki Day Nursery Ltd

Nicki Day Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Nicki Day Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY287524 Inspection date 30 June 2006 Inspector Gillian Cubitt

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Nicki Day Nursery

Setting Address 190 Southampton Way, Camberwell, London, SE5 7EU

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E-mail

Registered person Nicole Bennett Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Nikki Day Nursery registered in 2004 and operates from the ground floor of a detached house which is situated on the main road in Camberwell, London. There are shops and a park nearby. Children have the use of two rooms and outside garden. A maximum of 20 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08.00 to 18.00 for 51 weeks of the year. There are currently 18 children aged from six months to under five years on roll. Children attend on a full and part time basis. Of these, two children receive funding

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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 for early education. Children come from the local catchment area, as most of their parents travel to London to work or go to college. The nursery supports children with disabilities and also supports children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs six members of staff. Of these four hold appropriate early years qualifications and two are working towards a qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn how to keep themselves healthy as staff establish effective personal hygiene routines, such as hand washing before eating and after going to the toilet. Staff explain the reasons to children for cleanliness clearly and consistently. The premises are generally well-maintained and hygienic. A daily cleaner ensures all areas are kept clean. Children's health is safeguarded as staff have appropriate first aid qualifications and know what to do in the event of an accident. Staff however, do not always fully complete the accident forms, for instance, ensuring parents sign after each entry. Children have frequent use of a rear garden where they enjoy the sun and fresh air during their physical activities. Children, however, are not made aware of the necessity to wear sun hats or to protect their bodies from the heat. Children benefit from eating healthy snacks and foods. Fresh fruit is carefully

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Helping children to be healthy

prepared each day for snack time and children are able to help themselves to water when they are thirsty. Children enjoy a wide variety of healthy nutritious meals which are delivered each day by an approved contractor. Staff check that food temperatures are correct and food is suitable for the children. Meal times are a sociable experience and children enjoy chatting with their friends as they enjoy their fish fingers, vegetables and croquettes. Babies and younger children have meals that are prepared by parents. Staff ensure that all bottle feeds and baby food is appropriately stored and heated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children feel at ease and are warmly welcomed by staff. Babies are able to access a range of toys which are age appropriate, although older children's toys are less accessible. Staff supervise children generally well although at times children are left alone with staff who do not hold the correct level of qualification. Staff also do not have adequate opportunities to take breaks in their own area, so that they can relax and keep motivated for the children. Children learn about safety because staff hold regular fire drills and procedures displayed ensure that these are correctly followed. Staff however do not consistently use their weekly safety checklist to ensure risks to children on the premises are minimised. This means that major safety concerns are overlooked and children's safety is jeopardised. For instance, staff do not thoroughly check the garden gate each day and other areas in the garden are also unsafe for

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 to play. For example, there is an insecure rear fence and the support frames on the swings are not complete and fully secured in the ground. The roof on the abandoned building next door has many loose tiles and other pieces of insecure debris. As this building leans towards the garden this presents a hazard and possible danger for children playing in the garden. Staff organise space so babies have maximum space to move around but older children's freedom of movement is restricted due to the lack of effective layout and planning of their room. Staff have an understanding of child protection issues and how to report concerns which safeguards children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. Children settle and form secure attachments to trusted adults because are supported by consistent and caring key workers. Staff have taken training for Birth to three matters and the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation stage. They write up plans along the six areas of learning but do not always follow them. Most of the children are under three years of age but staff have not yet mastered effective planning for worthwhile activities that support this age group. Written observations on what children do are in place but these do not link with future planning for children's individual needs. This means that children are not challenged appropriately. Children learn letters and numbers by rote. Staff stand by the white board and say letters and children repeat. Children enjoy singing their ABC song although they do not understand what the letters mean. Children also like to be read stories, although they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

do not access books frequently. Staff promote children's language skills by reading stories; they ask children questions as they show them the pictures. Children however, do most activities together and do not freely access resources to develop their creative and imaginative play. Whilst in the garden, children play with sand and water. They have plenty of other resources such as climbing apparatus, swings and ball house, but these are not well organised and lack attraction which means that children soon lose interest and staff have to think about other play activities. Children learn to see to their personal needs such as going to the toilet and putting on their shoes. They enjoy the company of their friends and staff encourage them to share their toys which promotes their social skills. Overall, however, most activities are not suitably adapted to meet the needs of all the children attending.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel welcome and included because staff forge positive relationships with them. Staff seek information about children's personal preferences and home language to help them understand specific needs. The nursery supports children from different ethnic backgrounds and this helps children to respect cultural differences. For instance, two children speak French and this is supported by French

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 sessions each week which staff extend to role play and other French related activities. Other cultural events are celebrated as they occur throughout the year. Staff are consistently polite and considerate to children and explain clearly the importance of respecting each other. As a result, children learn to value their own needs and those of other people. They play together harmoniously and are beginning to express themselves with their likes and dislikes. Children generally behave well and their independence is encouraged, especially when learning to see to their personal needs. Children are generally polite with each other and at lunch time they close their eyes before they join staff with saying grace. There are no children with disabilities, present although staff have procedures in

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Helping children make a positive contribution

place to follow if a child has been identified with a particular need or disability. Parents are happy with the care their children receive. Parents are made to feel very welcome, they informally talk to staff about what their children enjoyed and they can see the written daily record of sleeping and eating patterns. Parents like staff's positive approach to cultural diversity.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Staff generally work well together as a team and provide some instances of effective care practices. Children receive individual attention from caring practitioners who interact constantly with them throughout the day. Staff organise rooms so children are separated according to age however, the organisation of the room for the older children restricts their independence in their free play. Staff do the minimum of planning and, although they have completed training for the framework of Birth to three matters, they do not use this effectively to ensure babies and young children make progress. The lack of a daily operational plan which outlines staff deployment and duties means that staff have no set direction and structure to their day. Staff are also not fully supported in their role by staff who have the appropriate early years qualifications. As a result, mistakes are made such as areas of risks assessments

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Organisation

are overlooked which impacts on children's safety. Most of the required documentation is in place but staff do not observe all of the necessary daily procedures such as signing in and out. The record of complaints for parents is also not yet established. The setting does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints 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

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 made to Ofsted. There are no complaints since registration

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • develop and implement an action plan that details how supervisors will achieve a level 3 qualification and the operational plan ensures that children are left with appropriately qualified staff • organise space so older children have scope for free movement and can access their toys easily • make garden play areas and equipment used outside safe and keep them well maintained • ensure that the written record of medicines given to children and accidents that occur are signed by parents • keep a record of complaints, which is available to parents, relating to the National Standards and any action taken • make effective use of observations and planning, especially with regard to Birth to three matters to organise appropriate activities to meet children's individual needs • ensure that staff have a designated area available for breaks, away from

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The quality and standards of the care

areas being used by children These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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