Top Tots Daycare

Top Tots Daycare Inspection report for early years provision

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EY281726 Unique Reference Number 18 May 2007 Inspection date Elaine Marie McDonnell Inspector

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Beechgrove Primary School, Southbank, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS6 6SU

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Setting Address

01642 456277 07910625219 Telephone number

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E-mail

The Priory Day Nursery Ltd 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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Top Tots Daycare is one of three nurseries owned by The Priory Day Care Limited. It was registered in March 2004 and operates from a fully refurbished building in the grounds of South Bank Primary School in Middlesbrough. The nursery is registered to provide full day care for up to 63 children under eight years at any one time. However, children may attend for part of the day also. Out of school care is also offered for up to 16 children from four to under eight years. Children over eight may also be cared for. The provision serves both the local and wider community as children from other schools can be collected and brought to the nursery.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery is open each weekday from 07.30 to 18.00 all year round. Children are cared for in three main rooms, the largest one of which is partially divided to accommodate two age groups. All children share access to an enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 40 children on roll aged from eight months to seven years. Five children are on roll for out of school and holiday care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Four permanent members of staff are employed to work directly with the children and additional staff from the providers other nurseries are also available to cover ratios if required.

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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 good. Children stay healthy because staff follow good hygiene procedures, for example, during nappy changing routines and when serving meals and snacks. Aprons and disposable gloves are worn and tables and other surfaces are thoroughly cleaned. Older children are beginning to understand simple good health and hygiene practices, such as hand washing, during discussions with staff. Appropriate accident and illness procedures are in place to protect children's overall health. For example, the exclusion of children with certain illnesses. A suitable first aid box is available in the office and medication and accident records are kept and up to date.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished as they receive varied and nutritious meals and snacks and regular drinks. Meal and snack times are observed to be sociable and enjoyable occasions, with children and staff sitting together and chatting. However, lunch is already served before some children return from nursery school, so is re-heated for them. Children have their health and dietary needs met because staff work well with parents to obtain written information about individual dietary requirements and needs, which are adhered to. Children learn about healthy living when involved in different activities. For example, they are learning why fruit and vegetables are important and the home corner area in the older children's room has been changed into a fruit shop.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to enjoy physical activity, both indoors and outdoors, for example, push-along toys are available to promote babies mobility and walking skills. Older children enjoy playing outdoors with a good range of physical play equipment, such as bikes, cars, slide, parachute and balancing beams. Children are observed sleeping in accordance with their own personal routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Appropriate steps have been taken to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment. For example, the premises is kept secure, a record of visitors is maintained and appropriate risk assessments have been conducted. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe when playing outdoors and when on outings. For example, they are well supervised by staff and the outdoor play area is kept secure and has safety surface in place. Written safety procedures for outings and for collecting children from other settings are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is very warm and welcoming for the children with a good range of resources readily available for them. Examples of children's art work are attractively displayed. Children have easy access to toys, equipment and furniture and staff ensure that resources are safe and suitable for use with regular checking and cleaning routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are appropriately protected because staff understand their role in child protection and are able to put local procedures into practice when necessary. Staff demonstrate a satisfactory or good understanding of the different areas of abuse and of possible signs.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved in a good range of activities that cover all areas of development. For example, younger children and babies enjoy physical play when throwing and attempting to catch an inflatable ball. They climb or crawl in and out of a tent and through a triangular shaped tunnel. Babies also enjoy listening to stories, playing with vehicles, musical toys, shape sorters and painting. Older children enjoy physical play outdoors, role play indoors and singing and story times. Staff have had access to 'in-house' training in relation to 'Birth to three matters' and the framework is appropriately implemented.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem well when being praised and encouraged by staff, for example, when following adults instructions and when demonstrating good manners without being prompted. Children show a lot of interest in what they do and enjoy the activities and resources available. They have appropriate opportunities to be independent and use their initiative, such as when deciding what toys to play with and what they would like on their plates for lunch and pudding. Children acquire new skills and knowledge, such as social skills when playing with others and learning about the time and numbers, when reading a clock book. They respond to challenge and concentrate well when listening to stories read by staff.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have appropriate opportunities to learn about wider society and begin to appreciate their own culture and the cultural traditions of others. For example, they learn about other cultural celebrations from around the world, as well as Easter and Christmas, and a suitable range of resources which reflect the wider world are also available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Equal opportunities is appropriately promoted as all children are included and involved, their individual needs are being met. However, there are currently no procedures in place to support children who speak English as an additional language. Appropriate procedures are in place for the identification and assessment of children with learning difficulties or disabilities and the nursery works closely with other agencies to support children with learning difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy being in the nursery and enjoy the activities available. They are settled and happy and make positive relationships with adults and peers. Children are well behaved and staff demonstrate a good understanding of how to manage behaviour appropriately and promote a positive environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The setting works well in partnership with parents and carers. Parents are kept informed of their child’s development and progress through regular discussions. Appropriate consent forms from parents are in place and they receive a copy of the settings complaints procedure. Parents also receive good written information about the nursery provision.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Recruitment and vetting procedures are in place to ensure that children are well protected and cared for by staff with relevant experience, knowledge and skills. Induction procedures for staff are also in place and are followed for students. Staffs training needs are assessed on an ongoing

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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 basis and they have appropriate access to training and development courses. Since the last inspection four members of staff have had access to a food hygiene awareness course.

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Organisation

Group size and deployment of staff contribute positively to children’s care, learning and play and there is always a member of staff on duty with an appropriate first aid qualification. Staff have high regard for the well-being of the children and as a result, they receive good adult support and attention. Observation indicates that adult to child ratios are effectively maintained throughout the day. However, the record of staff attendance is unclear and does not contain all relevant details, such as when students are on duty.

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Organisation

All records and documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available. 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

At the last inspection the provider was asked to carry out fire drills regularly, extend the lost child policy and ensure that trailing wires are inaccessible to children. Children's safety has been improved as all recommendations have been fully addressed by the provider.

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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.

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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 good. 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): • consider the serving times of lunches so that it is at an appropriate temperature when served to older children • extend procedures to include how you aim to meet the needs of children who speak English as an additional language • ensure that the record of children and staff attendance is clear and contains all relevant details.

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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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