Heirs and Graces Day Nursery (Tring) Ltd

Heirs and Graces(TRING) LTD

Inspection report for early years provision

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Heirs and Graces(TRING) LTD

Unique Reference Number EY319588 Inspection date 08 September 2006 Inspector Maura Pigram

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Heirs and Graces(TRING) LTD

Setting Address Heirs & Graces Ltd, 2 Christchurch Road, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 4EE

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E-mail

Registered person Heirs and Graces (TRING) LTD 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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Heirs and Graces Day Nursery is privately owned and opened in 2006. It operates from a converted Victorian house in Tring, Hertfordshire. A maximum of 38 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08.00 to 18.00 for 49 weeks of the year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area which has a Ultra Violet light cover. There are currently 63 children aged from three months to under five years on roll. The nursery has applied to receive funding for early education. The nursery supports children with learning difficulties and also supports children who speak English as an

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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 additional language. The nursery employs 16 members of staff. Of these, five members hold Level 3 Child Care qualifications, one member is trained to Level 4 and two further members hold a Level 2 award in Child Care. Three members of staff are working towards appropriate early years qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a broad range of activities that contribute to their health and well-being. They are provided with traditional and attractive nutritious meals such as chicken casseroles, baked fish, vegetarian options and jacket potatoes. Meals and snacks are discussed with parents to ensure the children's dietary needs are met and they are well nourished. These are prepared using fresh ingredients and always contain a balance of vegetables, protein and carbohydrates. Any details of children's allergies are very clear and easily available for the staff to refer to when needed. Children learn about healthy living through their involvement in the growing of fruit and vegetables in the well resourced garden. Here they enjoy watering their green beans, tomatoes and strawberries and take pleasure from eating these as part of their nutritious meals. Staff sit with the children therefore social skills such as taking

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Helping children to be healthy

turns in conversation and tasting the varied food on offer is encouraged. They have ready access to drinks at all times so children do not get thirsty or dehydrated. Children are protected from cross infection because the provider has a detailed and clear policy in place regarding exclusion of children who have a contagious illness. Measures such as using separate bedding and using individual face cloths and flannels ensure children are protected against cross infection. Children learn good hygiene routines from the staff who give reminders to wash their hands after using the toilet. As a result of this, they develop good hygiene habits for later life. However, they do not have a system in place to ensure children are able to brush their teeth following meals. Consequently, opportunities to teach children about caring for their teeth may be missed. Children have plenty of opportunity for robust physical exercise. Everyday they go

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Helping children to be healthy

outdoors, either to the spacious enclosed split level garden with its ultra violet light covered area or to visit various places of interest within the village. Babies and toddlers are taken for walks in their prams when staff ratios permit and older children confidently use the climbing frame and slide in the upper garden. Younger children are developing their independence physically and emotionally. They are active and are becoming increasingly independent, acquiring control over their bodies and new physical skills. For example, they are able to wheel their toys freely and crawling babies are given space for them to safely explore their environment.

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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 The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and purpose built environment. The space is well-organised and the day nursery has thorough systems for ensuring the safety of children and the premises at all times. There is a designated health and safety officer who is responsible for checking the premises daily. Clear risk assessment documentation is maintained and the health and safety officer is knowledgeable about relevant legislation. Children are protected from accidents through the suitable use of safety equipment, including smoke alarms that are checked regularly. They practice the evacuation procedure regularly, this means that children know what to do on an emergency. Children have access to ample resources which are appropriate for their purpose.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

They are of good quality and conform to safety standards. In all rooms and outdoors children can safely access resources, these include some household items. As a result of this, children are able to make their own choices and initiate their play. For example, babies delight in being able to safely explore the various noises they can make on the attractively displayed pots and pans. They discuss using tools and implements with care and learn about safety in the outside environment through activities such as outings to the library or to the market. Older children learn how to keep themselves safe on the stairs leading to their play room as they are reminded to hold onto the rail spindles. They are further protected from harm because the team have a sound knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. Babies and young children sleep safely and comfortably, and are frequently monitored by the vigilant adults. As a result of this the children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and secure in the nursery and have positive relationships with the team so they settle to play and learn with confidence. They enjoy a mix of free play when they can choose from the wide range of resources and focused activities such as painting, cooking and craft. These are linked to relevant themes and early communications are well supported through high quality adult-child interactions. The team spend time talking and listening to the children and their views are valued. For example, requests for favourite songs are calmly acknowledged and the children delight in taking turns in dressing up in the doctors outfit which is relevant to the song. As a result, they have positive relationships with the experienced staff and the children are confident and happy. They play happily together using resources such as jigsaws, water trays and the outdoor equipment. All are suitable for their age and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

stage of development. Extensive planning is in place following the Birth to three matters framework and most staff have a secure knowledge of the framework. Each planned activity is clearly linked to the skills and competencies in the framework. For example, in the toddler room they recently explored large boxes containing familiar items such as large soft animals. Here the children have great fun climbing into the boxes to

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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 retrieve their favourite animal or sit alongside it. Through this activity the children develop their language and understanding, they are able to express their thoughts and feelings to their key worker in a fun filled exercise. Through this positive interaction the children are able to explore and experiment thus developing confidence and self-esteem. The children take part in regular outings within the local community. They regularly visit the library to take part in story time and they visit other places of interest such as the bakers, travel agents and the local market. The visits to the library means that they are able to socialise with other children outside the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing secure relationships with adults and other children in a setting where they work with parents and carers to meet individual children’s needs and ensure they are fully included in the life of the setting. For example, during the afternoon all the children have the opportunity to benefit from play in the well resourced outdoor area. Here older children readily approach the babies and younger children in a kind and caring manner, they know that they need to be gentle as they mirror the actions of the experienced team. Staff provide good role models for children by being calm and polite. Photographs provided by the children's family are skilfully used. All children are able to access these freely and can express their feelings about the familiar people in the photograph. This helps the children feel settled and secure. Praise is given freely to children so that they develop confidence

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and self-esteem. Any issues about unwanted behaviour is handled sensitively and the close partnership with parents ensures that these are effectively resolved. The provider and the manager are pro-active in ensuring the children develop an understanding of the differences in the society. A popular story teller visits the nursery regularly and the children celebrate festivals throughout the year. This means that they gain an understanding of the worlds diversity through taking part in age-appropriate activities. Children's needs are known very well by all the staff and they liaise closely together to ensure the best service is provided for the children. Any children with educational needs are well supported and the manage works closely with the staff who are experienced in this field to ensure that appropriate action can be taken so that children are able to reach their full potential. Children age from two

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Helping children make a positive contribution

years are able to learn the sign language of Makaton. This is taught to them during circle time where they sing songs and nursery rhymes. They delight in joining in the actions and signs and readily show each other the correct sign. Parents complete a 'Personal Introduction to your child' document, which is used during an induction for the children. The nursery keeps parents and carers informed daily through the informal discussions and through the detailed diaries or information leaflets which are given to parents of babies. This ensures some continuation of care between the children's parents and the nursery. However, parents do not receive sufficient information about the 'Birth to three' framework therefore they are potentially unaware of the benefits of this to their children. There is a flexible settling

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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 in policy and each individual child's needs are considered during this period. As a result of this children settle well and there are strong relationships between the children and the staff. Parents are given a welcome brochure explaining policies and procedures, this ensures they are informed about the care the nursery provides and their business practices. There is a complaints procedure in place which parents are aware of as this in included in the welcome pack.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are looked after within a safe and secure environment where they can rest, play and eat in comfort. Their welfare, care and learning is very well supported because the premises are well organised. They are provided with a broad range of suitable activities to promote their development and stimulate their interest. Children are invited to make choice and self select from low-level storage containers so that they are able to initiate their own play opportunities. The key worker system is effective and the staff get to know the children extremely well. The experienced staff are particularly skilled at interacting with the children, responding well to them, stimulating the younger children and listening to the ideas given by older children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. The staff ratio is maintained according to the needs of the children, the provider and

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Organisation

the manager are pro-active in their recruitment programme to ensure suitable staff work with the children at all times. The management take positive steps to ensure the skills of individual staff are used productively. Consequently, children benefit from the skilled and experienced staff. There is a very clear system in place to ensure new staff are inducted well. This ensures that policies and procedures are effectively implemented to promote the children's welfare. Staff are valued and they regularly attend team meetings where ideas to enhance the provision are shared. There are detailed policies and procedures in place to allow the effective running of the provision and to keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. All staff are familiar with these and are provided with individual copies. These are also available for parents to view in the welcoming foyer area and some are contained in the

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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

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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 good. 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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • raise children's awareness of good hygiene practices and healthy living by teaching them the importance of cleaning their teeth • develop the information available for parent's of younger children's development in line with the 'Birth to three' framework.

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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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