Marybone Day Nursery

Marybone Day Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Marybone Day Nursery

322355 Unique Reference Number 25 October 2006 Inspection date June Cotton Inspector

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Marybone Day Nursery

Holy Cross & St Mary's School Building, Great Crosshall Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 2AP

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E-mail

Marybone Youth and Community Association Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care, Out of School care Type of 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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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?

Marybone Day Nursery is a community based nursery run by a committee. It is situated within St. Mary's and Holy Cross school near to Liverpool City Centre. The children have access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. A maximum of 37 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 07.30 to 17.30 throughout the year except for Bank Holidays and Christmas.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery also provides a breakfast club, lunch club and out of school club, including a holiday club, which have use of one of the four nursery rooms and the main hall. A maximum of 32 children aged from three to 11 may attend the out of school provision at any one time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 41 children under eight years on roll. The setting currently supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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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 The setting employs 12 members of staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications. There is a supernumerary manager.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is mainly protected because they are cared for in a healthy environment where good hygiene routines prevent cross contamination, such as during nappy changing procedures. The children are used to the routine of washing their hands at appropriate times, such as before they have their meals. Individual flannels and towels are provided and all children have their own clean bedding when they have rests. Playrooms are cleaned thoroughly on a daily basis and tables are disinfected prior to meals being served. However, staff do not have current first aid training, therefore, children's health is jeopardised. Parents are informed verbally of any accidents which their children may have when in the nursery, however, records are not always countersigned by parents, this is a breach of regulations. Blanket parental consent is obtained for giving children medication, however, written consent is not always obtained prior to giving

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Helping children to be healthy

specific medication, this is a breach of regulations. Good written procedures with regards to sickness ensure that parents and staff work together in the best interests of the children. Children are protected from the unnecessary spread of infection because parents are aware that children must not attend if they are unwell and must be collected early if they become unwell at the setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are learning about eating healthily when they enjoy the healthy snacks of fruit, crackers and wholemeal toast and talk about what is good for them. However, dinners are not always healthy as they contain a lot of processed foods, such as potato, fish and meat shapes. Children remain hydrated as they can help themselves or ask for water which is readily available in each room.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies individual routines are followed with regards to meal and sleep patterns. There are good opportunities for them to develop physically whilst they explore toys, roll and attempt to crawl on the play mat. Children can run in the large hall and develop bodily awareness and strength through using sit and ride toys. There are limited opportunities for the children to have fresh air, they have access to the outside play area but not on a regular basis. They enjoy trips to the park, walks and visits to places of interest if sufficient staff are available. Children learn to use a variety of tools, such as paintbrushes, scissors or pencils, as they practise their fine motor skills and manipulate different consistencies, such as play dough or sand.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are looked after safely in the welcoming environment where they can move around freely, including in the large hall. Stimulating pictures and posters are displayed, including children's art work and photographs, this helps to develop their sense of belonging. All rooms are spacious and children are able to make choices and develop their independence through being able to access a range of well maintained toys and equipment. There are mats and floor

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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 cushions for children to relax in comfort. The baby room is particularly colourful and comfortable with a comfy seating area, soft supportive cushions and age appropriate toys. The room is carefully arranged to give them space to play and to develop their crawling and walking skills in a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good safety procedures are in place to protect the children from dangers and hazards including risk assessments being carried out. Collection procedures are thorough and ensure that children only leave the premises with known adults agreed by parents. Children are not learning the importance of safety as they are not aware of the evacuation plan because regular fire drills do not take place. The nursery has implemented effective procedures to safeguard children on outings. The children are protected due to the staff's satisfactory understanding of child protection. They have sound procedures to follow, however, senior staff have not attended up to date training for this.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are emotionally secure, they settle well and enjoy themselves due to the positive welcome given to them by the staff and their home routines being followed. They are given frequent cuddles and hugs. The positive interaction they have with the staff ensures that they become confident, staff get down on the floor to play with them making eye contact with them. Children are developing confidence when they excitedly explore the play rooms.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are starting to use their imagination when playing in the role play area, making cups of tea. They have fun and develop concentration when sticking collage materials on their witches for the Halloween display. Babies and toddlers experiment with the different sounds which can be made with the musical toys. They explore and investigate using their senses as they feel the textures of different materials, their verbal skills are encouraged by staff talking to them and acknowledging their sounds and gestures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children in the nursery make good progress as they have fun exploring and making their own choices from a range of activities. They are offered a good balance of free play and adult supervised activities, such as stories as they develop confidence and strong motivation to learn and progress. The children are confident in their relationships with the staff and play happily together and with the adults. Staff plan some stimulating activities for the children but some are not appropriate for children under three. The children's language development is promoted well as they are encouraged to communicate by staff listening to them, asking them questions and having discussions with them. Story times are made interesting for the children and hold their imaginations when props are used and they are encouraged to join in. They enjoy experimenting in the water tray without the worry of getting their clothes wet, pouring and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

filling containers, learning about the concepts of full and empty.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and included due to the staff's positive approach and the clear policies and procedures of the setting. All children are able to participate in the activities offered. The children have limited opportunities to develop positive attitudes regarding diversity as few resources are available to make the children aware of the world around them. Information is gathered from parents to ensure their family's religious and cultural beliefs are acknowledged and respected. Children whose first language is not English are sensitively integrated within the setting. Issues are informally and delicately discussed with children as they arise in comments and conversations. Children's understanding of right and wrong is fostered through the staff setting good examples and having clear expectations of children's behaviour. They are encouraged to use social conventions, such as please and thank you and are given well deserved

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Helping children make a positive contribution

praise, such as when they do well with toilet training.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership the staff have developed with parents. They make good use of the parents' knowledge to meet the children's care needs. Children and parents have opportunities to familiarise themselves with the setting through settling in visits. An information booklet is given to new parents and written policies are available for them to view, this ensures that staff and parents are working together to provide continuity for the children. The staff share information about the children's activities through informal talks when the parents collect their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Staff members provide a satisfactory standard of care for the children attending. The staff group has a wide and varied experience and most have childcare qualifications. There are few staff changes leading to consistent, reliable care being provided. Thorough induction procedures are implemented for new staff ensuring that they are familiar with policies and procedures of the nursery and that children are well protected. Leadership and management of the nursery is satisfactory and staff recruitment procedures are comprehensive. The manager is supernumerary but she spends a good proportion of her time working with staff and children in the nursery. She is able to see at first hand if the policies and procedures in the nursery are followed by staff and in most respects her observations are effective.

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Organisation

All of the nursery rooms are well organised. Space, furniture and resources are arranged well to maximise play and learning opportunities for the children. Most of the necessary documents and records are in place and are completed accurately, however, some regulatory documents are not available. Confidentiality is maintained and information is stored securely. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Some recommendations were made at the last inspection regarding planning, equipment, staff checks and the availability of water. All recommendations have been met. There is sufficient equipment available in each room for children to choose from and appropriate furniture has

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Improvements 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 been obtained for the older school age children. Fresh drinking water is readily available in each room for the children to help themselves or request a drink. A planning system is in place to promote the children's development and learning and staff checks are all in place and available for inspection.

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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 made to Ofsted. Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that first aid training is kept up to date and that all accident records are countersigned by parents • ensure that parental permission is obtained prior to giving children medication • practise regular fire evacuation procedures with children to ensure they are familiar with routine to protect themselves in an emergency • improve outcomes for children under three by planning and providing activities to enhance children’s development in line with the aspects and approach described in ‘Birth to three matters’ • extend the existing range of resources, activities and play opportunities to reflect and promote positive images of a variety of cultures, backgrounds and disabilities • ensure that the updated National Standards and associated guidance is in place.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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