Mucky Pups Day Nursery

Mucky Pups Day Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Mucky Pups Day Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY266483 Inspection date 21 November 2005 Inspector Lucy Showell

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Mucky Pups Day Nursery

Setting Address 140 Garretts Green Lane, Garretts Green, Birmingham, West Midlands, B26 2JN Telephone number 0121 722 2500

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E-mail

Registered person David Tidmus and Paula Tidmus Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day 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 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?

Mucky Pups Day Nursery opened in 2004. It operates from two playrooms including a baby room and is situated in a previous shop unit in Garretts Green, Birmingham. A maximum of 30 children aged 2 to 5 years may attend at anyone time. The Nursery is open from 08.00 to 17.30 Monday to Friday, 51 weeks per year. All children have access to a safe and secure outdoor play area. There are currently 32 children on roll. Mucky Pups Day Nursery serves families and children in the local community and surrounding areas.

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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 The Nursery employs nine staff. Of these, over 50% of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications and two staff are working towards an appropriate early years qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s care is promoted through the appropriate documentation in place. Individual dietary needs are clearly identified and adhered to and medication records are correctly maintained. Children are encouraged to understand and learn about the importance of personal hygiene through discussions and the daily routines. They are protected from the spread of infection as staff understand and implement effective good health and hygiene procedures. The premises and equipment are in suitable condition of cleanliness and redecoration. Children's overall health and welfare is promoted through the appropriately implemented policies and procedures. They are adequately nourished through freshly cooked meals and they receive sufficient quantities of food for their needs. Children’s health and dietary requirements and preferences are recorded and adhered to and their individual routines are carried out.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s care is fostered through individual routines. Babies rest and sleep according to their needs, however, older children’s sleep is disturbed. Children enjoy good physical activity through daily opportunities. For example, they wrap up warm, go outside and are encouraged to run, jump and play with a range of outdoor equipment.

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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 relatively safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment. For example, risk assessments are being updated and regular safety checks are carried out by the staff. However, children may be at risk because storage of some resources is hazardous. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment. Play areas are large enough to give scope for free movement and well spread out activities. Children’s resources are suitable for their ages and developmental stages and comply with British Safety Standards. For example, resources for babies are stored within their own room and are not used by the older children. Children learn about their own and others safety through involvement in safety issues to ensure that they are able to limit any accidental injury. For example, they are encouraged to be careful of others during play and to use equipment appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm through the staff’s appropriate knowledge of child

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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 protection issues. For example, staff understand their role in child protection and the manager has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if there are concerns regarding a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop good confidence and positive self-esteem through receiving encouragement and praise for efforts and achievements. Children’s play is adequately promoted through the staff’s knowledge of individual needs. The children enjoy small group activities that are planned in line with the children’s abilities. However, the `Birth to three matters’ guidance is not used fully. Children under two take part in a wide range of activities in a well organised room. For example, they have brightly coloured mobiles and pictures on the walls and play and sleep areas are set out with suitable equipment for relaxing or playing. They enjoy plenty of eye contact and interaction and benefit through the staff’s calm and responsive manner. Older children choose from a selected range of toys and equipment. Children’s overall development is adequately promoted through the routines and activities that

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are planned with some regard to relevant guidance. Children build effective relationships and interact well with each other during play activities. They enjoy friendly and supportive relationships with staff who help them with jigsaws and creative activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s continuity of care is promoted through the staff’s effective relationship with the parents. For example, information given by the parents about the children is used effectively to assess the children's abilities and needs. Parents receive information about the setting through the operational plan and displays on notice boards and daily feedback is given to inform parents of their child’s progress. Children’s sense of belonging is promoted appropriately through familiar routines and independence is adequately developed as they are able to make choices and decisions from selected activities. Children play well together and work harmoniously with others at the setting. For example, they show awareness of the needs of others and their own needs and give and receive support during play. Therefore developing good self-esteem and demonstrating respect for others. Children have a reasonable understanding of acceptable behaviour and a growing

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Helping children make a positive contribution

awareness of right and wrong. Children are generally well behaved and behaviour is managed by a staff team who show appropriate awareness of children's individual levels of development throughout the nursery. Children’s awareness and understanding of the diverse community is developed

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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 through use of a range of equipment and relevant creative activities which promote positive images. For example, children play with jigsaws and books, participate in role play and complete creative displays for different festivals.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children’s care is promoted through the adequate documentation with regard to the organisation of the setting, however some lack detail and clarity. Staff and child records are well-maintained, up to date and are stored confidentially and the registration certificate and the public liability insurance certificate are clearly displayed. Children benefit through the appropriate use of space that ensures they are able to move around freely and safely and access resources effectively. Staff deployment and adult:child ratio supports children's needs and overall care, learning and play and the operational plan, policies and procedures work adequately in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Therefore, the staff meet the needs of the range of children at the setting.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the nursery had several recommendations to improve practice. Staff have developed a system of maintaining medication records, included contact numbers in child protection procedures and increased the resources that promote positive images. There are improved systems in place to observe and evaluate children’s learning which is used to inform future planning and staff are deployed effectively. However, sleeping arrangements for older children do not ensure an undisturbed sleep and therefore a further recommendation is carried forward to this inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection one complaint has been reported. Concerns were raise following an accident on the slide in the outside play area. This concern relates to National Standard 6: Safety. Ofsted made an unannounced visit to the setting to investigate the concern raised. To improve risk assessments and ensure appropriate safety checks are carried out regularly and to take positive steps to promote safety outside and ensure proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents. The registered person provided an action plan of action to be implemented regarding the outside play area and an up dated risk assessment procedure for staff to follow prior to children playing outside. Ofsted is satisfied that the registered person has taken the appropriate action and the registered person remains qualified for registration.

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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): • improve the sleeping arrangements for older children to ensure they achieve an undisturbed sleep • improve storage of resources and equipment to minimise possible hazards • improve opportunities for children’s learning through use of `Birth to three matters’ guidance • improve policies and procedures to reflect on and clarify present practice and include revisions to certain criteria in the National Standards.

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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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