Birchwood Private Day Nursery

Birchwood Private Day Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345515 Unique Reference Number 01 August 2007 Inspection date Maxine Williams Inspector

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Wellington Road, Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent, St7 4BH Setting Address

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E-mail

Amanda Jane Marchese 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?

Babes in the Wood Nursery is privately owned. It opened in 2007 and is situated in two rooms within a purpose built building in Kidsgrove, Staffordshire. A maximum of 27 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 07.30 to 18.00 all year round. All children share access to a secure outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 34 children aged from birth to under eight years on roll. Children come from the local area. The nursery currently supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery employs six members of staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications and four are working towards a 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 cared for in a warm, clean environment where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well planned routines. They know they need to wash their hands before snack and lunch times and after outside play and using the toilet. Children's health is well protected by the successful implementation of policies and procedures. Each child has their own bedding, nappies and cream; nappy changing procedures are good, staff wear aprons and gloves and children’s individual records are completed to ensure that staff and parents are aware of when children have been changed. Consequently, this helps children remain healthy. Several staff have current first aid certificates, there is a fully stocked first aid box available and accident and medication systems are in place. However, parents do not always give prior written permission to administer medication and not all accident records are signed. As a result,

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Helping children to be healthy

it is not clear whether parents have given permission for the administration of medication or that they have been informed of accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

The nursery has two dedicated cooks who prepare a wide range of nourishing meals and snacks that appeal to the children and meet their nutritional needs. Meal times are sociable occasions, children sit down together to share a nutritious meal such as rice, curry and naan bread for the main meal, with spaghetti hoops and toast for snack time. Children particularly enjoy the fruit snack, with many children asking for extra strawberries, demonstrating that children are developing an awareness of healthy choices. Children’s individual dietary requirements are recorded and vegetarian options are always available. Babies are held by a preferred carer whilst being bottle fed, therefore they are comfortable and secure as they feed. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. Regular outdoor play sessions help children make progress in their physical abilities. For example, riding on bikes and enjoying

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Helping children to be healthy

staff pushing them on the swing, in the well-equipped outdoor play area. When the weather does not allow outside play children take part in physical activities inside. They delight in pushing the lawnmower through the tunnel and playing with the balls in the ball-pit. Children join in the activities with enthusiasm and they develop knowledge of the way activity has an effect on their bodies. All are able to rest and be active according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The nursery consists of one large room, partitioned by barriers for babies and toddlers and a separate room for children attending the out-of-school provision. Both the area for toddlers and the area for babies incorporate an integral quiet area for children to rest and relax, as well as an area for creative activities and meals. There are a wide range of high quality and developmentally-appropriate resources available, which meet safety standards. These are organised effectively at child-height, which means that children are able to independently access resources and make decisions about their own play and learning. Children share access to a fully enclosed outdoor play area, there is a paved area where children are able to ride bikes and other ride-on toys and an area on the lawn with climbing equipment, to protect toddlers and babies from harm when they are developing their physical skills. Children attending the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

out-of-school provision are transported in the nursery’s vehicle. Documentation regarding the suitability of the vehicle is available; however, insurance documents are not readily accessible. Consequently, it can not be certain that appropriate business insurance is in place.

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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 Hazards to children are reduced because the staff are attentive and use daily detailed risk assessments to reduce possible dangers. This means that children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Staff monitor access to the premises at all times to ensure that admittance to the premises is controlled. This ensures that the safety and well-being of children is protected. Fire evacuation procedures are good, they are fully understood by both staff and children; appropriate fire-fighting equipment is in place and fire drills are practised and recorded on a regular basis. Knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures is good. Staff have a thorough awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and are confident to report concerns. Several staff have attended training in child protection, which ensures that

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

they fully understand their responsibilities in protecting children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are at ease and enjoy their time in the setting's welcoming and comfortable environment. They develop their independence as they choose between a large assortment of toys, books and activities, which are interesting and appealing. Staff continually talk to children and react to their language and actions. Children use a variety of ways to respond and express themselves, which contributes to their budding communication skills. For example, staff read children a story about a caterpillar and ask children to recall a previous activity when they learned what happens to caterpillars to make them turn into butterflies. Staff question children about other animals they have seen, such as the snail they saw in the play area, they prompt them to recall where they saw it and what it looked like. This promotes children’s recollection skills and encourages them to vocalise their memories and thoughts. Children enjoy dancing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and joining in with action songs. They march, crouch, jump, tiptoe, sit down and stand up to the prompts from the music. Staff encouraged children to take part in the activity, by prompting them to ‘tiptoe quietly’ and ‘jump high’. Children excitedly shout out the commands before the music requests them. There is a good range of equipment and toys to promote imaginative play and children play well together, with resources such as the home corner, kitchen and dressing up clothes. This enables children to develop good social skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The nursery makes good use of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework to promote children's learning and enjoyment in the setting. Staff have undergone training in the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and have a secure knowledge of appropriate methods to promote children's learning and development. Observations of children's progress and assessment of activities are made by the key worker of each group of children. All children attending the nursery have produced artistic creations, such as pictures of sunflowers, when learning about how things grow. Two-year-olds are developing their knowledge of colour as they independently name the colours of the building blocks. Babies are encouraged to develop physical skills through the use of push and pull-along toys, activity centres, musical toys and shape sorters. Children are relaxed and receive comfort when they are tired or upset. Staff are extremely attentive and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

affectionate towards children. They sit with children, help them with their snack and give cuddles whenever children appear even slightly upset. Children who are less secure, or who do not want to join in with activities are given lots of encouragement and prompting from staff, their confidence and self-esteem is promoted extremely well through the caring and loving attitude of staff, at all times. Consequently children are secure and have good levels of self-worth.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Staff have a good understanding of equal opportunities issues and use it successfully to help children learn about the world around them. There are a good range of play materials and activities to help children develop positive attitudes towards their own and other cultures and beliefs, and to disability and gender. Different festivals are celebrated such as Diwali and Chinese New Year. The nursery's policies and procedures promote inclusion for all children. Staff work in partnership with parents to ensure appropriate support is provided to all of the children attending. There is an identified member of staff, who has attended training and who is able to provide support for children with learning difficulties or disabilities. The nursery also links with outside agencies to assist children in their progress. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour and there is a very strong emphasis on focusing on good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's self-confidence and sense of worth is developed well by staff with use of encouragement and praise during their play. Children take turns and share well, they are eager to help each other and independently approach staff to ask for a tissue for another child, as well as readily helping when asking to clear up the toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents are positive and friendly, children’s individual needs are documented and staff are available to discuss any questions or concerns at the end of each session. The individual routines of babies and young children such as sleeping, toileting, feeding and involvement in activities are recorded to ensure that continuity of care is promoted. Parent information boards are displayed so that parents are aware of the relevant procedures of the nurseries and what activities their children are taking part in. This means that parents are well informed about the care their child receives. Discussions with parents indicate that they are very happy with the care that their children receive. Specific comments include how well children have come on, particularly in their speech, and how friendly staff are, both to children and parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and feel secure in the well-ordered surroundings. Indoor and outdoor space is organised well to provide an extensive range of play opportunities for children. This enables them to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Children are cared for by an appropriately qualified, dedicated team of staff. There are effective procedures in place for the recruitment and selection of staff and this helps to make sure that those looking after children are suitable to do so. A key worker system is in place that ensures a named person is allocated to each child to take responsibility for their day to day care and development. The key worker is the main point of contact for parents and carers and shares necessary information with them.

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Organisation

Staff successfully use the policies and procedures to support the well-being, care and learning of children. Most documentation which contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being is in place and is regularly reviewed. However, the attendance registers are not completed appropriately; although staff record that they are present, they do not record times of arrival or departure or hours of attendance. Therefore, it is not clear which staff are caring for children at any one time. A satisfactory priority is given to staff development and training and all staff are encouraged to enhance their knowledge and understanding of child development through supplementary training. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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 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): • obtain written parental permission prior to administering medication and ensure that parents sign the accident record to acknowledge that they have been informed of accidents • keep a record of insurance details on the premises for the vehicle that is used to transport children • ensure that a record of the hours of attendance of staff is maintained, in order that it is clear who is looking after children at all times.

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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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