Maidendale Nursery

Maidendale Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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EY358816 Unique Reference Number 10 July 2008 Inspection date Elaine Marie McDonnell Inspector

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Maidendale House, Burnside Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 4SU

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Setting Address

01325 363121 Telephone number glenis.thomas@btconnect.com E-mail The Trustees of Firth Moor and District Community Association 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?

Maidendale Nursery first opened in March 2004. It was re-registered to a board of trustees in June 2007. The nursery is situated within Maidendale and Dodmire Children's Centre in Darlington. It operates from two main playrooms within the building and has associated facilities, such as an office, staffroom, milk room and laundry. Children have access to three separate enclosed outdoor play areas, the largest one of which is also used by the playgroup and children's centre group provisions, which operate from within the same building.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery is registered to provide full day care for up to 52 children under eight years at any one time. Out of school care is also provided for children attending of school or nursery school age. There are currently 46 children on roll aged between three months and six years. The provision operates each weekday between the hours of 07.30 to 18.00, all year round with the exception of public holidays.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are 12 members of staff employed to work directly with the children, including the nursery manager plus four supply members of staff; of these, 14 staff members have a suitable early years qualification. The setting receives support from the local early years development officer and advisory teacher.

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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 good. Children stay healthy because staff follow good hygiene procedures to ensure that the premises and equipment are kept clean. Children are beginning to understand about simple good health and hygiene practices, such as hand washing, as this is promoted throughout the daily routine. Comprehensive accident and illness procedures are in place to protect children's overall health, suitable first aid boxes are in place throughout the nursery, and accident and medication records are maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished. They receive a varied range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day and drinking water is readily available. Mealtimes are observed to be relaxed and sociable occasions with some staff eating with the children. Individual dietary requirements and family preferences are met because staff work well with parents to obtain detailed written information about each child. Children learn about healthy living when discussing the benefits of a healthy diet and older children also brush their teeth after lunch.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to enjoy physical activity. For example, they regularly participate in outdoor play and go for walks within the local area, such as to the shops or park. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and individual routines and there are good procedures in place for regularly checking sleeping babies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment. For example, the setting is kept secure and suitable risk assessments are conducted. However, there are some bags hanging off cupboard handles in the older babies area, which pose a hazard. These are immediately removed when highlighted at the time of the inspection visit. Suitable written procedures are in place to be followed in the event of a child not being collected from the nursery. However, there are no procedures to be followed in the event of a child being lost. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe when playing outdoors and when on outings. For example, outdoor play areas are kept secure, are checked for safety before children go outside, and outings and outdoor play safety procedures are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are warmly welcomed into the setting by staff and the environment is attractively presented with a suitable range of resources and activities set out for them. They have appropriate access to a varied range of toys, equipment and furniture. Staff ensure that resources are safe and suitable for children's use through conducting risk assessments and regular checking and cleaning routines. All resources are in a good condition and most are satisfactorily clean. Children learn to keep themselves safe when involved in regular fire drills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are appropriately protected because staff understand their role in relation to child protection issues and are able to put local procedures into practice when necessary. They demonstrate a good understanding of the different areas of abuse and of possible signs. Written child protection procedures are in place; however, these do not include the procedure to be followed in the event of allegations being made against a member of staff or volunteer.

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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. Children are involved in a varied range of activities that cover all areas of development. For example, younger babies enjoy a range of activity and musical toys, balls and mirrors. Older babies enjoy painting with small rollers, using play dough, wet and dry sand and construction toys. They also participate well in role play activities, such as in the 'sweetie shop' area with support from staff. Children aged over two years enjoy looking at books, drawing, gluing and mixing dry food materials. The children thoroughly enjoy outdoor play and having a picnic-style snack outdoors. They are well protected from the sun and a new canopy has been built outdoors for children's protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities are appropriately planned for all children and their interests are promoted and recorded on planning sheets for further development. Children's development is appropriately observed and assessed and information gained is used to help them move on to the next stage in their learning. Staff working with the younger children demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of 'Birth to three matters' and the framework is appropriately implemented.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem well when being praised and encouraged by staff for their efforts and good manners. They show a lot of interest in what they do and enjoy the activities and resources available. Children respond to challenge and concentrate well when participating in different activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have some opportunities to learn about wider society and begin to appreciate their own culture and the cultural traditions of others; for example, they participate in activities relating to different religious festivals as they appear throughout the year. They also have access to resources which positively reflect other cultural backgrounds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Equal opportunities are well promoted as all children are included and involved and their individual needs are being met. Appropriate procedures are in place for the identification and assessment of children with additional needs. There are currently no children on roll with any learning difficulties or disabilities; however, the setting supports a small number of children who speak another language as well as English. Children enjoy being in the nursery; they are settled and happy and make positive relationships with adults and peers. They are generally well behaved and behaviour is appropriately and calmly managed by staff.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The setting works well in partnership with parents and carers. Parents are kept informed of their child’s development and progress through regular discussions with staff. They are also invited to attend parents evenings and have access to their child's records and development files. A parent interviewed at the time of the inspection expressed very positive comments about staff and the nursery environment. Parents receive good quality information about the provision, including some of the most relevant policy and procedure documents. A suitable complaints procedure and a record of complaints is in place and is available; however, this does not currently include the address and telephone number of the regulator.

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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. Recruitment, vetting and induction procedures are rigorous and robust enough to ensure that children are well protected and are cared for by staff with relevant experience, knowledge and skills. Supervision procedures are also in place to support students.

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Organisation

An appraisal system is in place and staff's training needs are assessed on an ongoing basis. Staff have good access to training and development courses and have recently attended courses relating to the Early Years Foundation Stage, first aid and safeguarding children. Several members of staff have a suitable and up-to-date first aid certificate; this ensures that there are always staff on duty who are suitably qualified to administer first aid.

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Organisation

Most policy and procedure documents required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available, up-to-date and work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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Organisation

Staff have high regard for the well-being of all children and as a result children receive good adult support and attention. Group size and deployment of staff contribute positively to children’s care, learning and play as adult to child ratios are effectively maintained throughout the day and are sometimes above minimum recommendations. 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

Not applicable, this is the first inspection since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

In April 2008 Ofsted investigated a concern in relation to safety and hygiene. As a result actions were raised in relation to Standard 6 - Safety and have been fully addressed. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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): • ensure that the safeguarding children policy includes clear written procedures to be followed in the event of allegations being made against a member of staff or volunteer

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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 • ensure there are written procedures in place in the event of a child being lost • ensure that the complaints procedure includes the address and telephone number of the regulator.

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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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