Baby Lambs Day Nursery

Baby Lambs Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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EY312247 Unique Reference Number 25 July 2007 Inspection date Beverly Hallett Inspector

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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 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?

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. 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 five members of staff. Of these, three 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 satisfactory. Children's health is suitably protected and promoted as staff keep the tables and other furniture clean and ensure children wash their hands regularly. Toilet facilities are located off each classroom and this enables older children to develop good independence as they can easily access the facilities without adult supervision. However, the maintenance of the sinks and floors in these areas is poor. Lino flooring shows signs of wear and staining and enamel sinks are water stained and hold dirt in the limescale rings around the taps and tiling grout. This gives the bathrooms a dirty appearance.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are suitably protected from the risk of cross infection by staff who follow sound nappy changing routines. A nappy changing unit and disposal bin have been provided to cater for the needs of the youngest children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The nursery's clear health and hygiene policy, which is shared with parents, protects children by ensuring that children who are unwell do not attend. Clear accident and medication records are in place and appropriately shared with parents, ensuring children have good continuity of care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have suitable opportunities for exercise in the nursery's outdoor play area. They enjoy almost daily access to outdoor play and enjoy using wheeled toys with confidence.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual diets are respected and older children sit as a family group to enjoy mealtimes. This supports their sense of community and belonging and offers a social time when children can chat to adults and each other about their day. Children enjoy simple nutritious meals, however, many of these contain processed foods such as fish fingers, chicken nuggets, hot dogs and pizza, and do not offer children healthy eating options.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Procedures to protect children from harm or neglect are suitably rigorous. There is a named co-ordinator with overall responsibility for assuring prompt and appropriate action in case of concerns and this helps to protect children who are, or may be at risk of harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from being cared for in a safe and secure setting. Staff work hard to make the environment look cosy, interesting and child-friendly. The organisation of furniture and resources is adequate and ensures that children have free and safe access to a suitable range of activities and equipment. Consequently, children's confidence and independence is promoted. The outdoor play area is safe and securely fenced. Safety gates are in place indoors to ensure children do not access the stairs unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The range of toys and resources available are sufficient, however, some are poorly maintained. Books in particular are well worn and many are torn and bent. Also, at rest time children lay on individual plastic sleep mats, on which no protective covering is offered. This means children sleep with their face directly on the plastic surface. Although these mats are cleaned after each use, this does not provide for their comfort whilst sleeping.

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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 satisfactory. Children are relaxed, settled, and secure at the nursery. They are cared for by a calm and gentle mannered staff team who spend time talking and listening to children as they support their play. A key worker system ensures that each child and family has a familiar adult to relate to and children enjoy sitting with individual staff at quiet times, sharing their past experiences such as when they went paddling at the seaside with their nanny and expressing views and feelings on characters in stories.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The manager and staff have completed training in the Birth to three matters framework. Children are offered a small but suitable range of activities, which the children enjoy. Baskets are set out around the room which children can access independently and planning shows that these are available every day. In addition, staff provide adult focus activities twice a day such as butterfly printing to offer the older babies extended learning opportunities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children are able to choose from three small rooms to play in. These are set out to offer table top games, art and craft type activities and role play opportunities. Children show good levels of independence and confidence as they move between these areas making choices as to what to play with. They enjoy taking responsibility, for example, as they help staff and each other at tidy-up time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children use their imaginations well and create make believe stories with staff involving sharks and pirates as they use the role play area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning to value and respect each other from a staff team who provide positive role models around culture, race and gender. Staff talk to children about their nationalities, explaining why they have an accent and where they come from. Posters and photographs displayed throughout the nursery offer more positive images and contain positive messages such as 'we are all one family under the same sky' and 'the hand of friendship has no colour' providing staff and children starting points to discuss and respect differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are currently no children with disabilities and/or learning difficulties attending the setting. However, clear policies and procedures are in place which staff follow to ensure that all children are appropriately supported.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff praise good behaviour, give clear messages about what is expected and positively support children as they learn the rules and begin to learn right from wrong. As a result, children's behaviour is good. The staff team are calm, patient and polite to the children, encouraging them to be the same with each other. Children respond well to this positive approach and are keen to complete tidy-up tasks and enjoy helping staff and each other. Children play together well and are able to co-operate with each other and they are learning to share and take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are given a good range of suitable information about the nursery and are aware of the key worker system. Parents know that they can talk to staff about their child at any time and they are given information on their child's daily activities through written diaries.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

The group keeps careful records and there is a comprehensive and clear set of policies and procedures in place which support staff in their responsibilities and form the basis of a sound partnership with parents.

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Organisation

The general organisation of the nursery is appropriate. The environment looks interesting and inviting. Activities are provided in clearly defined areas and children are able to access a suitable range of resources for themselves. The daily routine is relaxed and offers children opportunities to play alone and in large and small groups.

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Organisation

Staff and management have a positive attitude to training and access workshops provided by the local authority. Areas of weakness are acknowledged and addressed and the nursery is working closely with the early years advisory teachers to improve all areas for provision for the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the setting was asked to improve children's opportunities for learning by increasing staff's knowledge around suitable routines, activities and provision of toys and resources. Staff have attended training, new toys and resources have been purchased, and the routines and environment have been altered to offer children more freedom of choice and access to toys throughout the day. Children are now happy and occupied throughout the day, however, toys and resources are still limited in some areas and restrict children's opportunities to access a full and varied curriculum.

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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):

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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 • improve children's safety and comfort at sleep time by ensuring they do not sleep with their faces resting directly on the pvc surface of the rest mats • continue to improve the range and variety of toys and resources available to support children's all round development • ensure sinks and flooring in toileting areas are kept clean and maintained to a high standard • develop menus to provide children with main meals and snacks which follow current recommendations on healthy eating for under fives

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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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