Little Cherubs

Little Cherubs Inspection report for early years provision

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EY281096 Unique Reference Number 21 January 2008 Inspection date Jennifer Liverpool Inspector

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164 Goodmayes Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG3 9PR Setting Address

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E-mail

Linda Margaret Davis 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?

Little Cherubs is a privately owned business. It opened in 2004 and operates from three rooms in a privately owned two storey converted house. It is situated in a residential area in Goodmayes, in the London borough of Redbridge. A maximum of 30 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08.00 to 18.00 for 52 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 27 children aged from three months to under five years on roll. The owner is also the manager and she employs eight staff, six of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications and one member of staff is working towards a qualification. The nursery receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health within the nursery is supported by staff that have a secure understanding of the setting's procedures for health and hygiene. For example, staff wears gloves and aprons

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 for nappy changing and serving of food, table tops are cleaned before and after use and children are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and after toileting. Children's cups and bottles are labelled. All of which, helps to reduce the spread of germs or the risk of cross infection. Although paper towels are available for hand drying and are disposed of immediately after use, the overspill of the bins in the bathroom means that children can access soiled hand paper towels.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children can receive appropriate care in the event of sustaining minor injuries because some staff hold valid first aid certificates and each room has a fully stocked first aid box. In addition to this, staff ensure that first aid boxes are available when going out on trips. There are appropriate procedures in place for dealing with sick children and suitable systems for recording accidents or medication administered to children. Children's individual dietary needs are adhered to and they receive substantial portions of food for breakfast, lunch and tea. Children learn to eat healthily as fresh fruits are offered daily and fresh drinking water is available and easily accessible. Children enjoy physical play as they run, climb, ride on tricycles and balance on stepping stones out in the garden. This contributes to their physical well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a secure environment, where systems are in place to reduce the risks of unwanted visitors through the use of close circuit television, which enables staff to view the main entrance and control who enters the premises. Also, any welcomed visitors are monitored when on the premises as they are encouraged to sign themselves in on arrival and out when departing. Close circuit television is also placed in all group rooms and the garden, showing quick random views. This does not include the bathroom areas ensuring that children have privacy and their dignity is respected. Children have sufficient space to work, play and rest and staff ensure that each group room take turns to use the garden to ensure best use is made of the space provided.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy their play in an adequately safe environment where the staff carry out regular risk assessments in each room to minimise hazards. For example, electrical sockets are inaccessible, water spills are mopped and exit routes are kept unobstructed. Fire safety equipment is checked and maintained, and staff and children regularly practise fire drills so that they can become familiar with evacuating the premises quickly and safely. In spite of the suitable measures taken, children have access to the tree stump in the garden that has a presence of decay with the growth of mushrooms surrounding the surface.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have easy and safe access to a range of toys that are age and developmentally appropriate. Babies and young children are provided with a suitable range of furniture for their safety and comfort. This includes cots, high chairs and low level tables and chairs. Staff have a clear understanding of their responsibilities for protecting children. They are aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to record and report concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy to attend and they settle well. Children readily approach staff to make their needs known such as when wanting to visit to the toilet. Babies and younger children point or lead staff to toys or activities they want to play with. Overall, children are developing confidence

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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 and show interest in the activities that are set out for them throughout the day. Children's developing and learning needs are appropriately met because staff obtain relevant information from parents prior to the start of children's placement and this is followed by regularly observing and monitoring children's progress. Consequently, regular assessments help staff to support children and guide them in developing their skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff are familiar with the learning outcomes for babies and young children, and they provide suitable activities to enable them to explore, discover and make sense of their world. Babies are offered many opportunities to explore a range of natural materials that help to stimulate and develop their senses of touch, sight, listening and smells. For example, they have regular access to water and sand play, pots and pans, and wooden spoons for making sounds; they have some opportunities with staff support to participate in cold cooking activities such as making Chocolate Crispies'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a wide variety of natural materials such as cones, shells, pebbles and wooden utensils. They are also able to feel the texture of dry and wet foods such as Weetabix, pasta and jelly. Children's communication and language skills are promoted through a good range of activities such as story telling, singing of songs and nursery rhymes. Older children are encouraged to talk and share their news at circle time; they participate in alphabet letter and name recognition games, and a range of books and labels are on display. This helps to promote children's early reading skills. Resources such as toy clocks, large dice, calculators and number books and posters help to reinforce children's knowledge and understanding of numbers. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as arts and crafts, cooking, painting, role-play and dressing-up.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are appropriately met as relevant information and consents for care are gathered from parents on admission. Daily feedback and the regular sharing of children's progress reports help to promote consistency of care. Parents open evenings are arranged for parents to view their children's work and to exchange views about children's general well-being. In addition, parents have assisted in bringing in family photographs for the celebration of divali. This encourages parental involvement and contributes to their children's learning. Policies and procedures are shared with parents through the availability of a notice board and newsletters. Although parents are made aware of the procedures for making complaints, management are not fully familiar with the procedures for dealing with formal complaints and the current policy is not in line with legislation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and staff's approach to managing children's behaviour is sensitive and consistent. They are helped to understand how to behave responsibly, and receive praise and encouragement, which enables them to feel good about themselves. Children become aware of similarities and differences amongst themselves and the community through discussion, celebrating cultural festivities, books and other resources such as posters, dolls and play people, and when playing and eating together. Children of various abilities and additional needs are welcomed into the nursery and some staff have experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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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's care and learning needs are met as staff have a positive working relationship with parents; they demonstrate secure knowledge of child development and provide a range of suitable activities and resources that are age and developmentally appropriate, and stimulating. Children's health is generally well maintained through daily routines and practices, and outdoor play is a regular feature of the day. Security measures are in place to ensure that children are kept secure. With the exception of the garden, children are kept reasonably safe. Overall, the nursery meets the needs of the children for whom it provides

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Organisation

The supervisor is capable of taking charge in the absence of the manager and is aware of the roles and responsibilities to promote children's welfare and support staff. For example, contingency plans in place in the event of unexpected staff absences or emergencies. There are appropriate recruitment procedures in place to ensure children are cared for by suitable staff. However, references are not always obtained to check staff's employment background. All mandatory documentation for the health and safe management of children is in place and confidentially maintained, however, the accident records are incomplete as on occasions the times of the accidents and parents signatures to confirm notification are missed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, an inadequate judgement was made and a number of actions were raised. The nursery was required to take steps to prevent the spread of infection and ensure all staff know and understand child protection procedures. They were also required to plan and provide a suitable range of activities for babies and young children, and to develop staff understanding of anti-discriminatory practices.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's health is promoted as staff know and understand how to protect children from infection. They use picture displays to help children learn the importance of good personal hygiene. With the exception of the accessibility to soiled materials in the bathroom, other areas of the nursery are kept hygienically clean. Written child protection policies are readily accessible to staff and training has enabled them to have a secure understanding of the procedures to protect children from harm. Babies and young children are now provided with a suitable range of activities that promotes their all round development. All children have benefited from having access to a range of resources that depict positive images of diversity and participating in the celebration of religious festivals. As a result of the improvements made, the nursery is able to provide a satisfactory quality of care and a wide range of learning opportunities for children.

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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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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

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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): • make soiled hand paper towels inaccessible to children to avoid passing on germs • take steps to improve safety by risk assessing the garden and make safer • further develop knowledge and understanding of the procedures for dealing with complaints • ensure accident records are fully complete with all relevant details • strengthen the procedures for checking staff suitability to work with children.

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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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