Aplomb Day Nursery Ltd

Aplomb Day Nursery Ltd Inspection report for early years provision

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EY337564 Unique Reference Number 15 March 2007 Inspection date Jennifer Liverpool Inspector

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32 Bourne Hill, LONDON, N13 4LY Setting Address

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0203 2321030 Telephone number mary@paraskeva6628.fsworld.co.uk E-mail Aplomb Day Nursery Ltd Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care Type of care

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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?

Aplomb Day Nursery was registered in October 2006 and is privately owned by an individual. The nursery operates from two rooms with kitchen and toilet facilities on the ground floor of a detached house in the Palmers Green area within the London borough of Enfield. A maximum of 15 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each week day from 08.00 to 18.00 for 50 weeks of the year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently nine children aged from 14 months to under fives years on roll. Children come from a wide catchment area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery employs four members of staff. Of these two including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications and one is working towards a qualification.

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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 satisfactory. Children's health is generally promoted. Staff encourage children to wash their hands before meals and at other times. Wet wipes are used to clean younger children's hands after meals. There are appropriate facilities in place for nappy changing and children's privacy is taken into consideration. However, there are some inconsistencies in maintaining hygiene when changing children's nappies as it is observed that gloves are not always used for each nappy change. There are appropriate systems in place for recording children's accidents and administering medication. A fully stocked first aid box is available. Some staff hold valid first aid qualifications, which ensures that children can receive appropriate care in the event of minor accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are known and taken into consideration when planning meals. They are offered a variety of nutritious foods that include pasta dishes, fresh vegetables and fruits and vegetarian and meat alternatives such as quorn fillets and halal chicken. Fresh drinking water is made available to children throughout the day. Parents are given opportunities to become involved in planning the menu for their children. Staff monitor food intake and nappy changes to ensure young children remain healthy. Children have regular access to fresh air as they use the outdoor play space on a daily basis. There is a reasonable range of outdoor play equipment and younger children are able to practise their riding skills on tricycles. Children are beginning to develop their fine motor skills through mark making and playing with activity sets and puzzles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children work and play in a secure environment where main door handles are out of their reach; authorised collectors are known to staff in order that children depart safely and visitors are monitored when on the premises. Overall, the premises are appropriately maintained and space is organised to meet children's needs. Children are generally kept safe in the setting because staff carry out informal daily risk assessments and any potential hazards identified are dealt with promptly. Fire safety equipment is well maintained. However, children are not helped to become familiar with the procedures for emergency evacuation because fire drill practices are carried out infrequently. Additionally, past records show that the times of fire drills are not varied enough to ensure that all children take part.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have easy and safe access to a range of good quality age appropriate toys and equipment. There is appropriate furniture to provide safety, comfort and support for the development of babies and young children. However, there are not enough chairs in the rooms for all adults to sit when working with children. On the whole, children's welfare is safeguarded because staff have a clear understanding of child protection issues and know the procedures to take if they have concerns about a child in their care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and feel comfortable in their environment because staff effectively support parents in helping children to settle through home visits prior to admissions and settling in arrangements. For example, parents are being encouraged to spend time with their children in

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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 the nursery and key workers work alongside them to help children feel secure. Staff have good understanding of the needs of young children and are using the Birth to three matters framework to promote children's play experiences and to assess their development. As a result of this children are progressing well in their growth and understanding. Children enjoy listening to stories and they eagerly join in actions songs which helps their language and listening skills. Young children are beginning to show an interest in books as they independently select books and they are beginning to develop book handling skills. They occasionally visit the library to choose books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from going out on trips to the park. For example, they collect leaves and twigs for making birds nests and are learning about their environment, nature and the seasons through topic work. Children's physical and creative development is promoted through a wide range of play opportunities and planned activities. For example, they have access to a good range of musical equipment that enables them to listen and explore different sounds. Children are encouraged to dance to music; they move their hands and legs to the rhythm and they are provided with props to extend their imagination as seen during circle time session. They paint, make marks and are supported to make Mothers Day cards for their parents. Children enjoy participating in pretend play and with adult support they are beginning to act out the roles of health professionals such as doctors and nurses.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and treated fairly and equally. Their individual needs are met because staff gather information about their development, interests, likes and care routines from arranged home visits prior to admission. Staff are developing positive relationships with parents through sharing and exchanging information on a day to day basis by use of link books that details care routines between home and nursery. In addition to this, a parent's notice board is available in the hallway. Parents are invited to attend open evenings where they are able to see their children's assessment reports and to have more formal discussions with staff. This ensures continuity of care. Children behave well throughout the day and benefit from praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to a range of resources that reflect positive images of race and culture. As a result of this, they are learning to accept differences and similarities. They are helped to understand the diversity of their community and the wider world through making lanterns, having opportunities to practise using chopsticks for eating, making rangoli hand prints and cards to celebrate festivals such as Chinese New year, Diwali and Christmas. There are appropriate systems in place to support children with learning difficulties and physical disabilities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from an environment that is appropriately organised to meet their needs. For example, the main play room is partitioned to allow children to be grouped according to their age and stage of development and to participate in messy and creative activities. There are appropriate security systems in place that prevents unwanted visitors on the premises and promotes children's safe departure. With the exception of infrequent fire drill practises, children are generally kept safe and they work and play in premises that are suitably maintained. On the whole children's health is reasonably promoted through secure systems for dealing with

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 sickness, injury and medication. However, there are some inconsistencies in hygiene practises. Children's developmental needs are known by staff and as a result of this; they are closely monitored and supported through a range of suitable activities that enables them to progress. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

The manager has secure knowledge of the National Standards and is fully aware of her responsibilities with regards to notification and retention of records. There are sound recruitment procedures in place, which ensures that suitable adults work with children. Appropriate systems are in place for the assessment and development of staff through staff team meetings and training. All required documents which contribute to the welfare and safe management of children are in place, however; the attendance records are not always fully maintained. There are suitable contingency arrangements in place to cover absences to ensure children always have appropriate care.

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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): • ensure hygiene procedures are applied consistently, particularly in relation to nappy changing and provide protective clothing for when cooking and preparing food • make sure fire drills practices are carried out regularly and at varied times • increase the quantity of appropriate seating for adults so that they can work with children comfortably • ensure records show the hours of attendance for all children and maintain attendance records for all members of staff

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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 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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