Highview Baby Unit

Highview Baby Unit Inspection report for early years provision

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309637 Unique Reference Number 16 October 2007 Inspection date Ann Lee Inspector

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Hall Green, Upholland, Skelmersdale, Lancashire, WN8 0HQ Setting Address

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E-mail

Jean Hurst 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 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?

Highview Baby Unit opened in April 1998. It operates from four rooms in a converted surgery in Upholland, Lancashire. The unit serves the local area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 19 children from birth to three years on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports one child who speaks English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The unit opens five days a week all year round. Sessions are from 07:30 until 18:00.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Six full-time staff and one part-time member of staff work with the children. All of the staff have 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 are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment where staff take steps to keep them free from infection and cross contamination. They use hygienic procedures when changing nappies and ensure that all children have separate bedding. Babies bottles are stored in the fridge and there are facilities available for sterilising feeding equipment. Parents provide information about any special dietary or medical needs so that the children's individual needs can be met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Some staff are trained in first aid, there is a fully stocked first aid box available and all of the necessary accident and medication records and sickness procedures are in place. This ensures that children are safeguarded in the event of accidental injury or illness. Children are provided with a varied diet which includes plenty of fresh fruit, wholemeal bread and yoghurt. However, there is no cook and the main meals for the babies consist of pre-prepared baby foods rather than freshly cooked meals which are prepared on the premises. Children are offered regular drinks of water throughout the day to ensure that they do not become dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have some opportunities to develop their physical skills outdoors on the climbing frame and when using wheeled toys. However, staff do not take children out every day and this limits their access to fresh air. Staff provide equipment for children to exercise indoors and to practise crawling and walking. For example, they enjoy crawling through a tunnel and playing with large balls. Children also practise their small motor skills when staff help them to explore paint, gloop, shaving foam, paint, play dough and when they encourage them to play with shape sorters, puzzles, construction and activity centres.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are secure in the nursery because staff ensure that they cannot leave the premises unsupervised or with unauthorised people. Staff carry out risk assessments and daily hazard checks in order to identify and minimise risks to children. For example, they ensure that all safety equipment, such as socket covers, safety gates and cupboard locks are in place before each session. The fire safety officer has provided advice about fire safety in the setting and children learn how to keep themselves safe in an emergency because they practise the fire drill regularly. Staff are aware of the need to supervise children at all times and there are windows around the sleep room so that sleeping babies can be closely monitored.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good selection of suitable resources, such as shape sorters, activity centres, arts and craft materials, treasure baskets, books, puzzles and construction items which provide children with a stimulating and interesting environment. The main, open plan play room provides plenty of space for children to move around freely but the messy play room containing painting materials, sand and water play and the sensory room are not easily accessible to the children. This limits their opportunities to fully explore their environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have received training in child protection and all of the necessary procedures and emergency telephone numbers are available so that they can seek help and advice if an issue arises.

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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. Babies and toddlers are happy and settled in the nursery because the staff are friendly and approachable and they offer lots of individual attention and cuddles. There is a key worker system in place which further encourages close relationships to develop between the staff and the children. Staff use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to devise interesting and stimulating activities which help children to make good progress in all areas of development. For example, babies and toddlers are provided with 'treasure baskets' which encourage them to use their senses to explore natural and man made objects which feel, smell and sound different. There are also opportunities for children to enjoy sand and water play, play dough, painting and construction. Staff help babies to develop good communication and language skills because they talk to them, sing songs and rhymes and look at books together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Parents provide information about their babies and young children, so that the staff can care for them according to their individual needs and follow their own routines. This helps children to settle in quickly and feel safe and secure in the setting. Staff respond quickly and sympathetically to the babies and there is a calm and relaxed atmosphere in the nursery which helps children to feel relaxed and comfortable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are made welcome in the setting including those with additional needs and from different backgrounds. Staff work with parents and other professionals, where necessary, and parents provide information to enable staff to care for children according to their individual needs. There are some resources, such as pictures, books and dolls which provide children with positive images of different cultures and disability. Staff act as good role models and they use praise and encouragement to help children to be well behaved and cooperative. They follow their behaviour management procedures to provide consistency of care and firm boundaries for behaviour so that children learn right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships between parents and staff. All parents know their child's key worker and share information with them on a daily basis, about their children's needs and progress. Staff also provide a daily written sheet of information which keeps them informed about daily activities, diet and sleeps. Parents receive a comprehensive range of information about the setting, including the policies and procedures. They are also invited to regular open evenings when they can look at their children's progress reports and talk to the staff. Staff ask parents to complete evaluation forms so that they can ensure that the service meets the requirements of parents and children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. There are good recruitment, vetting and induction procedures in place to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. All staff have early years qualifications and they use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to help children make good progress in all areas of development. The provider and manager work well together to ensure that the setting is well organised and staff are supported through team meetings and regular supervision. The correct adult to child ratios are maintained, so that children are always well supervised and supported. The areas

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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 used for play are spacious and airy and the children have room to move around and explore their environment. Toys and other resources are set out around the play rooms so that children can make choices about what to play with.

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Organisation

All of the necessary records, policies and procedures are available and they are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that they are in line with current guidance. The children's records are stored confidentially and Ofsted are informed of any significant changes to the service. Parents are kept fully informed about the service and about the progress of their children. Staff use their parent evaluation forms to help them to improve their service and meet the requirements of both parents and children.

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Organisation

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

Since the last inspection the provider has improved safety in the nursery by making sure that the fire doors are free from obstruction, securing or removing trailing wires and renewing fencing in the outside play area. The menus have been improved to ensure that children are provided with plenty of fresh fruit and healthier meals. Staff have sought advice from a health professional to ensure that the contents of the first aid box and first aid treatments are appropriate. The outdoor play area is used more often to provide children with some opportunities to exercise outdoors.

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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): • continue to develop the menu to ensure that children have a good variety of freshly cooked, healthy foods and also increase the opportunities for children to use the outside play area • make all play areas easily accessible to children so that they have more opportunities to make choices about what they do in the setting

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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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