Barton Children's Centre @ Castledyke Day Nursery

Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Nursery

EY332384 Unique Reference Number 19 March 2007 Inspection date Jill Scargall Inspector

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Nursery

Castledyke West, Barton-on-Humber, North Lincolnshire, DN18 5AW Setting Address

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E-mail

Castledyke Ltd 05605409 Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day 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?

Barton Children's Centre registered in 2006. It is a private provision owned by Castledyke Limited. The centre provides a day nursery, a crèche to support parents and carers attending the centre, and a variety of courses and drop-in support groups for parents, carers and families, including support from health visitors and midwives. They work in close liaison with the primary school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The centre is located in purpose-built accommodation within the grounds of Castledyke Primary School in Barton, North Lincolnshire. The committee who run the centre has been formed from the governing body of the school. The childcare manager has the support of five staff and the children's centre community co-ordinator.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting provides full day care. Registration is for a maximum of 33 children under five years of age. A total of nine babies under the age of two years may attend the centre at any one time. Children have use of a ground floor room which is divided to meet the needs of the age

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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 range of children attending. There are toilet and hand washing facilities and an enclosed area for outdoor play. The centre is open each weekday from 08.00 to 18.00 and is closed on all public holidays.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Cross-infection is minimised for children by staff's attention to hand washing routines. They are encouraged to lather their hands with anti-bacterial soap and to use paper towels for drying. Young children and babies enjoy privacy when they are changed in the nappy changing room and staff don protective clothing to make sure that hygiene routines are maintained and children stay healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive appropriate care when they are ill or have accidents because several members of staff have received first aid training. Medical and accident records are accurately maintained to maintain children's safety. Their sleep routines are followed and tired children can rest in cots or baby seats according to parents' wishes, and older children can move into the baby area to rest in comfort. Children enjoy daily fresh air and exercise if the weather is fine, when they can use the enclosed area outside of the nursery or the nearby adventure playground.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with nutritious meals and healthy snacks. Parents receive a menu showing how the nursery supports healthy eating and encourages good nutrition by providing a balance of fruit, salad and vegetables. Hot meals are provided during term times by the on-site school kitchen, and they are cooked on the premises during the school holidays. Children are encouraged to feed themselves and to use appropriate cutlery. Children ate a meal of chips, sausages, peas and carrots, with a sweet of instant whip, with babies having weaning food if needed. They have milk or water to drink and a fruit snack midmorning. However, drinking water is not always available at all times to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a clean, welcoming and secure environment with enclosed grounds. Doors are secure and visitors are vetted before they are allowed into the nursery. Staff make sure that children are collected by adults known to them and they have policies in place for collection of children and lost children, which make sure that they are protected at all times. The centre enjoys premises specifically adapted for the young with low-level furniture for their use and a comprehensive range of new and interesting toys; for example, there is a wealth of construction toys. However, there are some areas of learning where development is limited by the resources; for example, there are few books, or toys which promote imaginative play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Suitable health and safety policies are in position and risk assessments are carried out on a daily basis before the children enter the nursery. Staff divide the room and create boundaries in which children can play, therefore ensuring that they are fully supervised at all times. Safety equipment is regularly checked and doors have high-level locks to protect children. Most aspects

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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 of fire safety have been considered, for example, a hard-wired fire alarm system protects children; however, they have not yet practised a fire evacuation procedure. Children are further protected by staff's knowledge and training in child protection issues and procedures

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have a happy time at the nursery where they enjoy a stimulating range of planned activities. Babies enjoy playing with treasure baskets and experience the stimulus of hard and soft textures. They respond to the facial expressions and comments of their carers and babble, trying to join in conversations. All children come together several times a day so that they have a pleasant social occasion with their friends and join in singing, action rhymes and saying hello to everyone.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and settled, enjoy listening to stories and are keen to add their own contributions as they identify animal young and the noises they make. They are pleased to talk to one another and to other adults, and to ask questions and tell the staff what they would like to do. They can access most of the toys at child height so they can help themselves to play activities if they wish to play with something different, for example, the wide choice of construction resources available. There are several daily opportunities for children to take part in creative play: painting, printing, chalking or play dough are available. Children often help staff count the number of children present, the children lining up and those going outside so they develop a feel for mathematical language

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the comprehensive policy which promotes equality of opportunity, but the centre is currently building resources to support play activities. Children's individual needs are met because the staff get to know the children well; equal care is provided for them. Children with learning difficulties are valued and are well supported by the staff's knowledge of the Code of Practice and adaptation of planned activities to support their learning. They involve parents in planning activities for their children together with other childcare professionals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They are encouraged to answer questions in sentences and to respond to their friends and to adults. They are praised and encouraged by staff, especially when they share and they are polite to one another. A lengthy policy outlines strategies which are used to promote good behaviour, including a star chart, and the centre also have an anti-bullying policy. If children misbehave, parents are involved at an early stage to assist with behaviour management.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit because staff work closely with parents and carers, exchanging information. Parents receive daily reports from staff including diary evidence for very young children, recording nappy changes, food intake and activities throughout the day. They are welcome to talk to staff at any time about their children's progress. There is also a useful noticeboard for parents and regular letters are sent out.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides. Their needs are met because ratios are maintained and they are cared for by qualified staff, many of whom are pursuing further training. Staff work well together as a team. Effective recruitment procedures are in place and induction training is provided for staff. Appropriate policies and procedures are in place to keep children healthy, and safeguard their welfare and a planned programme of activities is provided for children which is regularly monitored and adapted.

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Organisation

Premises are organised in the best interests of children so that those who cannot yet walk are separated from the more boisterous toddlers, but at the same time there are many opportunities throughout the day for all ages to come together, for example, when a toddler wants to join in chalking with the older children.

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Organisation

The childcare section of the centre supports parents when they participate in other centre activities with crèches and sessional care. Parents can also access adult learning and medical services.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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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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.

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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): • make sure that fresh drinking water is available to children at all times

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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 • make sure that fire drills are carried out periodically in accordance with the recommendations of the Fire Safety Officer and that a record is kept • make sure that sufficient suitable toys and play materials are available to provide stimulating activities and play opportunities in imaginative play • increase the selection of books for all ages of children • increase resources that show positive images of diversity.

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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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