Kingsmeadow Day Nursery

Kingsmeadow Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348316 Unique Reference Number 06 September 2007 Inspection date Christine Stimson Inspector

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Kingsmeadow Day Nursery, 75 Hampden Road, KINGSTON UPON THAMES, Surrey, KT1 3HG

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Setting Address

020 8547 0272 Telephone number karen@kcox4.wanadoo.co.uk E-mail Karen Audrey Cox Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care Type of care

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Setting Address

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?

Kingsmeadow day nursery was registered in March 2007 and opened in May 2007. The nursery operates from a large building in Hampden Road, Kingston. The nursery backs onto a sports stadium and is within walking distance of local train and bus routes. There are five main rooms used by the children for play and children eat altogether in a separate dining room. Children also have access to a large hall for physical play and an outdoor play area. The premises are protected by close circuit television.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 24 children from three months to five years on roll. The group opens from 08:00 till 18:00 from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks a year. The nursery intends to apply for local authority funding for three and four year olds.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery currently employs seven staff, three of whom hold childcare qualifications with a further two working towards a childcare 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 are encouraged to follow good hygiene practice such as washing hands before meals and after using the toilet; they are encouraged to use tissues to wipe their noses. Staff give older children explanations about why they are doing this and many children understand that germs are bad for you.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's accidents are recorded by staff and parents are asked to sign to acknowledge they have been informed. Two staff currently hold first aid qualifications, which means they are able to deal with accidents quickly and effectively. Parents have all been requested to give permission to take children to hospital in an emergency and these measures support children's health and well being.

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Helping children to be healthy

The nursery has a garden and older children access this area twice a day. They play on bikes, tricycles, climbing frames and use balls to practise their skills; they also have their own vegetable patch. However, younger children are only taken outside later in the day and this means that those children who leave early, in particular, miss an opportunity for fresh air and exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy nutritious snacks such as fruit, which helps them to develop healthy eating habits. Menus rotated on a four week basis are displayed for parents to see. All food is freshly prepared on site and the menu shows children have a nutritional and healthy balance of food provided. For example, today children ate roast chicken, jacket potato wedges, peas and sweet corn followed by fresh pineapple. All snacks and meals are accompanied by fresh drinking water, a jug of which is left in the older children's room for them to help themselves. Staff are vigilant about refreshing younger children's beakers and bottles. This supports children's health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in an organised and spacious environment with colourful wall displays making the rooms welcoming. However, some areas of the nursery are not maintained well with locks missing from gates that divide rooms, chipped paint work and a build up of dirt on ledges in the toilet areas. The owner is currently working on the building to improve standards. The premises are kept at an adequate temperature by gas central heating, but there is no evidence that the boiler is regularly maintained. This compromises children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are encouraged to use the toys and equipment safely by staff and the resources are maintained in a clean and safe manner. Regular cleaning and sterilising of toys takes place and any broken items are discarded. Toys within rooms are age appropriate and offer children choice. Most items are kept at child height so they can self select toys that interest them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and staff practise the emergency evacuation procedure regularly which helps them to become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency. Fire fighting equipment is in place and checked frequently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Two staff have had training in child protection issues and know how to proceed if they have a concern about a child in their care. However, the majority of staff have limited knowledge of this area but are booked on a course to improve this. The setting does not keep a copy of the local safeguarding children's board guidelines to hand.

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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. Staff have developed warm relationships with children and speak to them in a kind pleasant tone of voice. Babies receive lots of cuddles from staff and the atmosphere in the under 18 month room is quiet and peaceful. This ensures children feel accepted and welcomed. A lively atmosphere exists in the toddler room where music plays on a CD machine and children play hide and seek with staff. Children wander the room making choices of resources and bring these to staff so that they can play together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All staff within rooms are responsible for the planning of activities for their children. However, the 'planning' is no more than a list of activities on a wall in some rooms and is not displayed at all in others. It is not linked to the outcomes for children who have free play sessions all day with limited direction from staff. Since opening the owner and staff have been working closely with the local authority early years department to develop this area further. Although key workers undertake observations of children's achievements and their next steps are identified, staff do not carry this information forward into planning, making it hard for staff to assess children's all round progress and achievement. Work is underway to link observation and assessment with the planning of activities, but this is at an early stage.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy in the care of the staff at the nursery who adhere to their needs. Children enjoy picking the tomatoes they grow in their vegetable plot in the garden and are excited they will be eating them for their tea. Children make regular trips to the local park and library and occasional go further a-field using public transport. This makes children aware of their local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and play a full part in the nursery because staff value and respect their individuality. Activities and resources are available that reflect different cultures and teach children about diversity through their everyday play. Visits to theatres, farms and local venues ensure children learn about the wider community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children generally behave well and older children are aware of the rules and boundaries within the nursery. Explanations of why things are not acceptable are used for some older children who show inappropriate behaviour; with positive reinforcement used as much as possible by staff. Children are encouraged to develop a positive approach to helping others. For example, they have special helpers who are given responsibilities such as helping to tidy up, watering the plants, relaying messages to staff or collecting the plates for lunch. Each child has their own peg and older children are encouraged to help the younger ones to find their pegs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. A parents notice board keeps them informed of children's menus, any forthcoming events and any changes to the routine of the nursery. Parents have been invited to the nursery to hear about how their child is progressing and this will be a half year event in the future.

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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. Children play in a spacious environment that is organised to meet their needs, but some children do not benefit from having regular use of the garden area. Separate rooms dedicated to children of different ages and individual key workers benefit children's emotional needs. However, although the management are taking action to improve the maintenance of the nursery, some of the matters outstanding could pose a safety risk to children.

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Organisation

The nursery has a thorough recruitment procedure to ensure only suitable people are employed to work with children. Some of the staff hold childcare qualifications with others working towards this end. Staff are willing to embrace training opportunities to improve their knowledge of current childcare practices and to support the care and learning of children. All documentation required for the safe and effective management of the nursery is in place, with the exception of the Local Safe Guarding Children Board guidelines. Overall, the setting meets the needs of the children for whom they provide.

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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. 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 all children get the opportunity to access the garden area of the nursery on a regular basis • make sure the local safeguarding children's board guidelines are kept on site • maintain all areas of the nursery in a clean and suitable state of repair • ensure gas appliances conform to safety requirements and do not pose a hazard to children

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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 • develop planning for all areas of the nursery so that children's progress is regularly monitored and each child's next step of development is carried through to the short term planning

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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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