Big Kids Little Kids Nursery and out of School Club

Topoli Joe

Inspection report for early years provision

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Topoli Joe

Unique Reference Number EY280315 Inspection date 29 September 2005 Inspector Donna Suzanne Lancaster

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Topoli Joe

Setting Address 172 Northgate, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 1QU

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Topoli Joe

Telephone number 01325466234 E-mail sandzf@topoli.fsnet.co.uk Registered person Topoli Leisure Ltd Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day care

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Topoli Joe

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 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?

Topoli Joe Day Nursery opened in September 2004. It is situated in a large converted three storey building in Darlington very close to the town centre. The building is also used as a leisure facility. The nursery facility operates from four activity rooms on the ground floor and the after school club operates from the second floor. There are separate toilet and washing facilities on the ground floor and also on the second floor. There is no outdoor facility, but children have access to the soft play area on the first floor and are taken out regularly to the local park nearby. Kitchen and staff facilities are also available on the first floor.

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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 Children in the nursery have sole use of the activity rooms and the after school area during the hours of opening and at times have sole use of the soft play area. The group serves the local area and wider areas throughout the town. It is registered to provide full day care including out of school care for 116 children aged from birth to under 8 years There are currently 104 children on roll and they attend a variety of sessions. The group is open five days a week, Monday to Friday from 07.30 to 18.00 all year round excluding bank holidays. Eleven staff work with the children, including a recently appointed manager. Nine staff hold relevant childcare qualifications and two are working towards qualifications. The nursery receives regular support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted within the nursery by staff following effective procedures and practices that meet the needs of all children. Staff offer support and guidance and this helps children gain an understanding of hygiene routine and begin to become increasingly independent in personal care. For example, they know washing hands stops germs spreading. Children enjoy satisfactory physical activities indoors and outdoor. Children have daily access to the soft play area within the building, however, opportunities for outdoor play experiences are limited. Children develop hand eye co-ordination, for example, when painting, sticking and gluing party hats. They have sufficient space to move freely and show developing agility to negotiate space. All children are able to rest and be active according to their needs. Children benefit from a healthy diet and enjoy fresh fruit at snack time. Individual and

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Helping children to be healthy

cultural needs of all the children are taken into account, as are parental wishes. Staff work well with the parents in healthy eating programmes to ensure children remain healthy.

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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. The setting has good safety and security policies, generally good procedures and take reasonable steps to minimise risks to children, for example, security locks on external and internal doors, CCTV in all rooms, written risk assessments are undertaken daily. However, hazardous substances are not stored appropriately and emergency evacuation procedures are not practiced regularly. This poses a risk to children's safety.

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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 Children select activities from a wide range of good quality, safe and developmentally appropriate resources. They are well-organised at child-height to encourage safe, independent access. Children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Staff have a good understanding of how to achieve a mixed balance of moving around freely and setting safe limits. This allows children to begin to learn about how to protect themselves from harm. Although children’s welfare is given high priority by the setting and all appropriate and required documentation such as medication and accident records are in place, not all medication records are confidentially maintained and accident records are not signed by parents. Most staff have an appropriate valid first aid certificate. Staff have a

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

satisfactory understanding of child protection issues and have a sufficient understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. All children enter the nursery confidently and settle quickly. They are eager and keen to join in the range of planned activities. Children are confident and have a strong bond with staff and this increases their self esteem and well being. They play happily together and staff encourage them to take turns, share and respond to each other, for example, as they draw and colour, read books, inter-active toys and role play. Children become confident communicators as they share ideas in their play, for example, in role play. Staff work sufficiently well together to meet children's needs. They are sensitive in their handling and give lots of praise and encouragement to help promote children's self esteem. Younger children are interested in a suitable range of developmentally appropriate activities. For example, as they successfully sort shapes and respond to simple rhymes. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities which appeal to them. Children begin to make sense of the world and express their ideas as they join in a diverse range of exploring and sensory experiences. For example, playing in soil and coloured water. The well-organised, inviting environment and resources for the older children offers opportunities for children to initiate their own play or to take part in planned activities. This allows children to be active or relaxed depending on their needs. Staff set clear boundaries for behaviour which helps them to learn right from wrong and behaviour is good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed into the nursery and good relationships are formed between children and staff. Staff take positive steps to promote the welfare and development of all the children attending. They ensure that the recourses positively represent the children who attend as well as individuals from the wider community,

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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 for example, other cultural and religious festivals are celebrated. This enables children to develop a positive attitude towards others. Children are very well behaved and show concern for others, for example, when dressing up one of the children's mask was missing, the other children shared their masks with the child and all took turns in using it. They respond well to the staff's calm and consistent approach and there is a strong emphasis on respect and consideration for others. Partnership with parents and carers is good. Positive relationships are established with parents to ensure children receive good quality care. For example, parent's are warmly welcomed at any time into the nursery, their views, experience and knowledge of their child is acknowledged and valued, this information is used as a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

starting point for their child's care. The staff have a two-way sharing of information with parents and regular written and verbal communication keeps them well informed about all aspects of their child's care, achievements and progress which enhances children's learning. Parent's are keep well informed about the policies, routines and activities of the nursery.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a team of staff who have a commitment to developing the facility. There has been several staff changes within the nursery since the provision was registered and a new manager has been newly appointed. There is a named deputy who is able to take charge in the absence of the manger. Most staff have a relevant childcare qualification. Recruitment and selection procedures are in place, however, these are not always applied consistently, for example, unsupervised access to children before checks are fully completed. The procedures for staff supervision and appraisal are currently being developed to ensure consistency of care and identify staff training needs. Most required documentation which contributes to children's well being is in place and is regularly updated. However, there is no designated person responsible for behaviour management and special needs. Parent's wishes regarding their child's

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Organisation

care influence day to day practice, and clear written agreements are recorded. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last Children Act inspection recommended that the nursery should: develop staff's knowledge and understanding of the national standards; ensure clearly defined procedures for emergency evacuation are displayed and carried out and emergency exits are clearly identified; ensure that all records relating to day care activities are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection; to ensure that children have an appropriate range of resources to promote equality of opportunity and anti- discriminatory practice; to ensure that the manager has regard for the Code of Practice (2001) for identifying and assessments of Special Educational Needs and

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Improvements 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 that there are effective procedures to deputise and appoint trained member of staff who has responsibility for designated areas. Since the last inspection the nursery management and staff have made some good improvements, however, not all the recommendations have been fully addressed. The registered provider has introduced periodical tests on the national standards which has raised staff's knowledge and understanding of them. Although there are displayed procedures for emergency evacuation throughout the nursery and fire exits are clearly identified, the nursery have failed to carry out a regular evacuation procedure with children and staff, this compromises the safety of the children. All records relating to day care activities are accessible and are stored on the premises.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Additional resources are available which promote equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices. This helps to raise children's awareness of diversity. The registered provider has obtained and read the Code of Practice (2001) to identify and assess children with Special Educational needs, however, there is no designated member of staff appointed to co-ordinate this service. There is an appointed person in place to deputise and all room leaders are qualified to level 3, resulting in children's care and welfare being improved.

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Complaints since the last inspection

A complaint was received on 27/05/2005 regarding National Standard 2. A visit was made on the 06/06/2005 by a childcare inspector. The childcare inspector set two actions. Provide evidence as to how the registered person will ensure that children are not left with persons who are not vetted, especially when collecting children from school. Provide evidence as to how the registered person will ensure that a suitably qualified and experienced manager is in post. The provision has met the actions. The provision remains qualified for registration.

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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):

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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 all medication records are kept confidential and accident records are signed by parents • ensure hazardous substances are inaccessible to children • carry out regular emergency evacuation procedure and ensure that all staff and children take part • ensure there is a named person responsible for Special Needs and Behaviour Management • ensure newly appointed staff do not work unsupervised with children until all suitability checks are fully completed.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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