Highview Baby Unit

Highview Baby Unit

Inspection report for early years provision

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Highview Baby Unit

309637 Unique Reference Number 01 March 2007 Inspection date Angela Rowley Inspector

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Highview Baby Unit

Hall Green, Upholland, Skelmersdale, Lancashire, WN8 0HQ Setting Address

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E-mail

Jean Hurst 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 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?

Highview Baby Unit is privately owned. It opened in 1996 and operates from four rooms in a converted doctor's surgery in Upholland, Lancashire. The unit serves the local area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 22 children from birth to two years on roll. The unit offers full day care each weekday from 07.30 until 18.00, all year round. Children attend on different days across each week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Seven full-time staff work with the children, the majority of whom have early years qualifications to National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2 or 3. The setting receives support from the local authority.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Insufficient attention is given to ensuring that children are provided with a nutritious diet. Their health is compromised because processed foods which are high in salt content, such as hot dogs, sausage rolls, popcorn chicken and southern fried wedges are routinely provided for all fully weaned babies. Children do experience some healthy snacks, such as fruit and breadsticks and they have suitable opportunities to respond to the needs of their own bodies by accessing drinks when they are thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with insufficient opportunities to access fresh air and sunlight, which are necessary for good health. A small outside area is available, however, children have not had access to it for several months and it is not nursery policy to take children out for walks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Suitable hygiene procedures are in place, which help prevent the spread of infection. Children are provided with clean bedding whenever a cot is shared, their feeding equipment is routinely sterilised and their toys are kept clean. Children's identified health needs are appropriately met. Suitable medication procedures are in place and staff know about and meet health conditions, such as allergies. Sufficient arrangements for training staff in first aid are in place, although children's health is compromised when staff use non-prescription preparations as treatments without following any medical guidance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children's safety is compromised because of poor fire safety procedures. Fire exits are not clearly identifiable and one of the two fire exits is blocked by the storage of equipment. Fire drills are regularly practised using the one exit available, and fire safety equipment is appropriately maintained by a contractor. The assessment of risk and attention to some identified hazards is also poor. Staff have identified concerns in using the second fire exit because it leads onto the front car park and road, however, consideration has not been given to minimising this risk. Trailing wires from the television, stereo and fairy lights are also accessible to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are adequately maintained and furnished with carpets and window dressings, for example, which create a 'homely' feel. Some areas are made welcoming to children through the use of interesting ceiling hung mobiles and some displayed artwork. Ample space is available, although children cannot explore and make choices about the activities they take part in because they do not have free access to each of the areas. Sufficient equipment is available to meet children's care needs, such as cots, high chairs and low chairs. Children also have sufficient toys and equipment to keep them occupied including some good quality developmentally appropriate items, such as a very low sand tray. However, the basic range of toys limits children's opportunities for varied and alternative types of play.

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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 are appropriately safeguarded. The provider and the manager have a working knowledge of child protection and have implemented a clear policy for the use of staff and parents. Appropriate procedures for monitoring and referring concerns are in place and known by staff.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Most children are happy and confident in the setting because they have formed secure attachments with consistent staff. A sound key-worker system ensures that children's care needs are consistently managed by one main carer. Consequently babies approach staff for loves and cuddles and are able to seek reassurance if they are upset. Children are well supported by good numbers of staff who play and interact positively with them. Some are becoming skilful communicators, for example, when they respond to staff's questions and when they join in familiar words in frequently sung songs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff are developing use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and make observations of what children can do to help them plan some next steps, although use of the framework is yet to have an impact on the range of experiences provided for the babies. Children do enjoy exploring the sand and a good range of creative materials. At an early stage they use the sponge shapes to print with paint and to make marks. They explore some bright and attractive equipment in the sensory room and have access to a basic treasure basket. However, children's natural curiosity is hindered because they cannot freely access the different activity areas and because the range of continuous provision is sometimes limited and rarely changed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the nursery. Their individual needs are known and met through close communication with parents. The sound key-worker system ensures that children are valued as individuals and that their care and learning needs are individually supported. Appropriate procedures are in place to share identified development concerns with parents and to seek further support to ensure early intervention from outside agencies. Long term plans for individual children take account of their developmental needs, for example, children do not necessarily move up to the upper nursery at two years until they are ready to do so. A limited range of resources are available, such as a doll and books, which provide babies with some positive images of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff interact positively with the babies to promote wanted behaviour. Their self-esteem and confidence is increased when staff give praise and thank them for their cooperation. Children know when they have done well and applaud themselves. Details of children's achievements are shared with parents to further promote their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents are suitably promoted through a range of communication strategies. Staff know about and meet children's ongoing needs because they make daily opportunities for verbal exchanges. These discussions supplement the children's daily written record. Regular newsletters and a good range of written information, for example, a detailed prospectus, polices

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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 and procedures, keeps parents informed about how the setting operates. However, parents are not supported in settling in their babies to nursery as there are no gradual admission procedures and as a result some babies begin their nursery experience unsettled.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

Whilst most areas of the provision are satisfactory, some aspects of health and safety are not good enough and compromise children's well-being.

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Organisation

Suitable recruitment procedures ensure safe persons are employed to work with the children. A stable staff team provides continuity of care for children and their families as, for example, a number of staff have been employed at the setting for over five years. Some staff training is provided, which ensures that children's learning needs are met.

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Organisation

Children are well supported in their play and care because good staff ratios and mostly suitable staff deployment facilitates the positive key-worker system. However, the structured organisation of the day detracts from this when children spend too much time waiting in order to fit in with nursery routines, for example, during snack and lunchtime and then the subsequent clearing up process.

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Organisation

Attention to the completion and maintenance of required documentation is satisfactory. Records, such as registers, accidents, medicines and children's details are suitably kept and contribute to meeting children's daily needs.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to ensure that all drinks containers belonged to individual children and to ensure that the premises were maintained at an adequate and comfortable temperature. The provider has ensured that both issues have received attention, which has improved children's care in relation to these particular issues. A room thermometer is now used to monitor the internal temperatures and regulate the heating system accordingly, and all drinks containers are now labelled and are used by individual children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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 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: • assess the risks to children in relation to the security of the grounds and trailing electrical wires, and take action to minimise these • ensure that fire doors are easily identifiable and not obstructed • ensure that first aid treatments and the contents of the first aid box are appropriate and determined in the first aid course or from advice given by a qualified health professional • ensure that children are well nourished are provided with a suitable diet • ensure that children's good health is promoted by providing sufficient access to fresh air and outdoor experiences. 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

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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