Baby Lambs Day Nursery

Baby Lambs Day Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Baby Lambs Day Nursery

EY312247 Unique Reference Number 23 January 2007 Inspection date Beverly Hallett Inspector

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Baby Lambs Day Nursery

322 Lee High Road, London, SE13 5PJ Setting Address

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E-mail

Forbs Limited 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?

Baby Lambs is a privately owned nursery run by Forbs Ltd. It opened in 2005 and operates from four rooms in a converted shop. It is situated on a busy high street in the Lee area of the London Borough of Lewisham. A maximum of 20 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday 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 20 children aged from three months to under five years on roll, some of whom attend part-time. Children come from the local community, as most of their parents work around the Lewisham area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery employs seven members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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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. Although some steps are taken to promote children's good health and prevent the spread of infection, there are also practices in place which expose children to possible cross infection. For example, whilst staff wear disposable gloves and aprons to change nappies, and the nursery is cleaned and maintained to a good standard, at rest times, children all sleep on one large mat with loose sheets to rest their faces on. As they wriggle and settle down to sleep, the sheets become ruffled with the result that children's faces lay on the bare mat.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a suitable range of healthy and nutritious foods at snack and lunch times. The weekly menu offers some variety and contains fresh fruit and vegetables as well as some foods which introduce cultural diversity.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy using the garden every day. They benefit from fresh air and develop confidence in their physical abilities as they ride trikes and use a small plastic climbing frame.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. The environment, toys and resources are not appropriately organised to offer the necessary range of activities to promote children's development in all areas. Toys and resources are in poor condition and there are insufficient amounts to provide children with a stimulating environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff in the baby room do not ensure children's safety at meal times as young babies are not fed appropriately. For example, children under six months are laid in a bouncer chair to eat. This means they are laid almost flat and risk choking on solid foods.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Suitable policies and procedures support staff in safeguarding children in case of child protection concerns, and staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. Children show little interest and involvement in their play as there are limited toys and resources to attract and stimulate them. Children are not stimulated by the activities they are offered and staff fail to capture and extend their interest through appropriate interaction. For example, whilst involved in playing with the dolls house, staff chat to children about what they did at the weekend, but do not extend children's interest in the dolls' house or ask questions which would promote learning. This means children quickly lose interest in activities and spend time wandering around the room, drifting between the few activities available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Although some staff speak gently and calmly to children, others, particularly in the toddler room, are inappropriately controlling of children's play. They show a lack of awareness of young

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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 children as sensorial learners who need to explore using movement and their senses. For example, when children are playing with pretend food and cooking equipment, staff tell them not to put it in their mouths. Under threes crawl under the table with a sense of fun and adventure and staff reprimand them, telling them to come out and play nicely.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children are not being supported in developing a positive attitude towards others. There is a lack of toys and resources which offer positive images of today's diverse society and staff do not plan activities which introduce children to different religions, cultures or family backgrounds. This means children are not developing respect for people from different backgrounds to themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff do not communicate effectively with parents to share best practice, for example, when weaning babies. This results in babies receiving inappropriate care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally very compliant and behave well in the setting. However, staff's lack of child development knowledge means that they have inappropriate expectations of children's behaviour and ability to concentrate. Therefore at some points throughout the daily routine, for example, after lunch, children are expected to sit for long periods with no toys to occupy them. As a result children behave in a disruptive manner and start play fights which staff then have to reprimand children for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children show a sense of belonging when they share their experiences about their family and friends. Older children are confident in accessing equipment, for example, getting their own hats and aprons ready to play in the sand.

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Organisation

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

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Organisation

The registered person does not ensure that space and resources are organised effectively to meet children's needs. The registered person has a positive attitude towards improvement, but a lack of awareness as to what constitutes good quality child care, limits the setting's current ability to implement good practice. Much emphasis is put on external training to provide improvement rather than knowledgeable observation of practice and a solid appraisal system.

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Organisation

Children are cared for by suitably qualified staff, however, they show a lack of understanding as to how to put the knowledge gained in training, into practice. Staff are appropriately vetted, due to sound recruitment procedures.

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Organisation

Written records and procedures which are required for the safe management of the provision are in place.

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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

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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 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: • improve staff's knowledge and understanding of how to provide suitable care for children under three • plan and provide a suitable daily routine, range of activities, and variety of toys and resources for children, which are appropriate for their stage of development and meet their individual needs • ensure sleeping arrangements for older children promote good health and prevent possible spread of infection • ensure staff support consistency of care for children and share best practice with parents. 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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