Lighthouse Day Nursery

Lighthouse Day Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Lighthouse Day Nursery

Unique Reference Number 305962 Inspection date 05 July 2005 Inspector Elizabeth Blenkhorn

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Lighthouse Day Nursery

Setting Address 34 Yarm Road, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 3NG

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E-mail

Registered person Alexander Robert Patterson Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Full day 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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Lighthouse Day Nursery operates full day care for children aged 3 months to 8 years. The nursery opened in September 1995. Lighthouse Day Nursery operates from 5 rooms in a multi purpose building. The premises are situated near to Stockton-on-Tees town centre. It has its own identified rooms and entrances. The facility serves the local and surrounding areas. There are currently 51 children aged from 8 months to 8 years on roll. There are 3

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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 children who receive nursery education funding. Children attend for a variety of sessions. There are support systems in place to support children with special needs. Lighthouse day care is open 5 days a week 51 weeks a year excluding bank holidays. Sessions are from 08.00 to 17.30. There are ten members of staff working with the children. Seven members of staff hold childcare qualifications. There is one member of staff currently on a training programme. The nursery have a support teacher from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted within the setting by staff following procedures and practices that meet children's needs. The support and guidance offered by staff helps children gain an understanding of hygiene routines and become increasingly independent in personal care. For example, they know washing hands stops germs spreading. Satisfactory procedures such as, staff wearing disposable gloves and aprons for nappy changing sustain good levels of hygiene and help prevent the spread of infection. All children benefit from a healthy diet and enjoy fresh fruit at snack times. Babies are offered drinks regularly, however, individual babies bottles are not clearly labelled and older children can not access drinks freely. All children's individual dietary needs are taken into account as are parental wishes in terms of the food offered to their children. Staff have begun to use Birth to three matters guidance to provide a range of

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Helping children to be healthy

physical play experiences for children under three. All children are able to rest and be active according to their needs including children over five years.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised in the well-designed setting which has good safety precautions such as CCTV in all rooms. However, security measures for the safe entrance and exit of the nursery are not always suitable. Children are learning to be aware of their own safety and well-being for example, the older children are involved in developing the out of school rules. This enables the older children to have ownership of managing their own behaviour. Children use a suitable range of toys and equipment appropriate to their age and stage of development, which meet safety standards. Rooms are organised so that children are able to move around safely, freely and independently.

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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 well protected by staff who have a clear understanding of child protection policies to ensure children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. There are differences between the quality of experiences offered to children under three and those provided for older children. All children have a strong bond with their named worker and this increases their well being. Their development is promoted well through a range of appropriate resources and activities. Staff are beginning to use the Birth to three matters framework to improve their practice and give children the opportunity to play together. Older children enjoy their time at the out of school club where they can relax or be active in accordance with their needs and interests. They are well supported by the staff who are skilled at encouraging children to extend their learning and at listening and talking to them. Nursery education The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. Staff have limited knowledge of the Foundation Stage. Plans do not link to the areas of learning and lack detail to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

promote children's learning in all areas. Assessment records are not used effectively to plan the appropriate next step in their learning, as a result, activities do not meet the needs of all the children. Children separate well from parents and most have formed good relationships with adults and their peers. They are able to work as part of a group and understand taking turns and sharing. They communicate confidently and speak proudly of their displayed art work. However, staff do not give sufficient attention to early mark making skills. Some children can count reliably to 10 and count confidently in a variety of play situations. Children can recognise and name different shapes and can follow simple patterns. However, staff miss opportunities to begin to provide calculating and problem solving in everyday activities. Children are beginning to use simple tools for a purpose and join in first hand experiences, for example cutting and sticking. They are encouraged to explore

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

information technology. Children do not receive sufficient opportunities to use imagination in play and have few opportunities to experience music and dance. They develop good level of hand and eye co-ordination and have opportunities to improve their large physical skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children from a variety of backgrounds are warmly welcomed into the setting. However, resources reflecting positive images of diversity and opportunities for

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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 children to learn about the wider world are limited. Resulting in further developing children's knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Children are generally well behaved and show concern for others. They respond well to the staff's calm approach and the use of praise and encouragement. This positive approach fosters children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. All children benefit from the positive partnership staff have developed with parents. Babies settle well because staff work closely with parents to ensure home routines are followed. Older children show care and concern for each other. However, the partnership with parents of children who receive funding is satisfactory. Children do not benefit fully from a two way sharing of information between parents and staff to

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are settled and relaxed in the warm and caring environment. The rooms used are well organised to enable children to enjoy their play freely and safely. Whilst children's care needs are met, satisfactory leadership and management of the nursery education has an impact on children's learning. Most staff are appropriately qualified, however there is no secure management system in place. Staff working with the children in receipt of funding for nursery education have not got sufficient knowledge of the curriculum to enable them to help all children achieve well. Recording systems are not systematic enough in recording children's achievements and this has an effect on children's learning and in maintaining the effectiveness of teaching and learning. This results in staff not being effectively deployed and as yet there is no level 3 manager in post. Staff work well together to promote children's health, safety and care needs. Most

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Organisation

policies and procedures are in place. Basic training in child protection, food hygiene and first aid help staff keep children healthy, safe and guard their welfare. Overall the needs of children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider was asked to improve documentation to include policies and procedures and parental consents. They have made effective progress in that all documentation has been reviewed and up dated and now includes policies and procedures as required in the National Standards to promote and safeguarding children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

A concern was raised in relation to Standard 1, suitable person. An unannounced

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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 visit was carried out on the 23/08/2004. Four actions were raised to ensure that appropriate procedures are followed when recruiting staff. The provider responded appropriately and remains qualified for registration. A concern was raised in relation to Standards 2 and 3, staff ratios and activities provided for children. An unannounced visit was carried out on the 26/05/2004. No actions raised. As a result the provider remains qualified for registration.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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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 that babies bottles are clearly labelled and that children have access to fresh drinking water • ensure entrance and exit doors to the nursery are secure at all times and the key is readily available for immediate access in an emergency • ensure there is a range of activities and resources available to children which promote diversity • ensure a level 3 manager is appointed and that staff are deployed effectively (also applies to nursery education) • ensure children's information records contain named authorised person to collect children

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • introduce rigorous systems to monitor the quality of teaching so that areas for improvements are identified and quickly addressed • increase opportunities for children to extend and explore their mark making skills and imaginative play • improve assessment records and planning to show what stage children are at and how they progress.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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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