Station House Children's Day Nursery

Station House Childrens Day Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Station House Childrens Day Nursery

Unique Reference Number EY306093 Inspection date 15 November 2005 Inspector Rosemary Beyer

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Station House Childrens Day Nursery

Setting Address Station House, Common Road, Dunnington, York, North Yorkshire, YO19 5RY Telephone number 01904 481222

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E-mail

Registered person Station House Childrens Day Nursery 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 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?

Station House Children's Day Nursery is a privately owned facility, which was registered in April 2005. The nursery is registered to care for children under eight-years-old, and opens from 07.30 until 18.30 weekdays only all year round (apart from Bank Holidays). The premises are located beside the A1079, the main road between York and Hull. The baby and toddler unit is situated on the ground floor, comprising of two playrooms, with a separate feeding room and designated sleep area. The older children use the play rooms upstairs. A sensory room is also available upstairs.

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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 There is a secure outside play area with some soft surface and a range of large equipment. All the staff have at least Level 2 qualifications when they are appointed, and the manager expects them to continue training to widen their knowledge to further improve their practice. The staff either have current first aid certificates or are in the process of renewing them. There are currently 21 children in total attending and the nursery is in the process of registering for Foundation Stage funding. Support is received from the York Early Years Development Partnership.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The premises are clean and well maintained, with clear procedures for cleaning in place. The cook takes responsibility for her kitchen, ensuring the equipment is clean, the food stuffs are stored correctly and the fridge and freezer temperatures recorded. The nursery has a healthy eating policy to ensure children eat well. The food is all prepared on the premises with menus posted on the board for parents to see. Children have at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. Parents' wishes are respected if they have any special dietary requirements, whether for health, religious or cultural reasons. Snacks are also prepared on the premises and include healthy options. Children wash their hands before eating food and after using the toilet, and are learning about germs spreading infection. Effective nappy, potty and toilet procedures are in place with staff using gloves and aprons. There are records,

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Helping children to be healthy

showing parents this information. All children are encouraged to use tissues to catch germs when they cough or sneeze. The medication administration policy is made clear to parents, and the staff will only administer prescription medicines or apply teething gel. Parents are expected to administer other non- prescription medication themselves. Children play outside to get fresh air every day. This depends on the weather outside. They can use a good range of toys and apparatus, and their physical skills are developing well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is a priority and admittance is allowed by staff, with identification

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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 being required if parents or visitors are not known and their presence is recorded. Staff do not permit other adults unsupervised access to the children, and they have a secure knowledge of the local child protection guidance procedures should it be needed. A procedure for lost or uncollected children is also in place. Risk assessments are completed and reviewed every six months, and steps are taken to improve safety records. Staff are very conscious of the need to ensure the whole nursery environment is safe, both inside and out. All staff and children practise fire drills which are recorded appropriately. The premises are clean and well maintained, with cleaning materials stored safely. Rooms, resources and toys are checked each day, and anything unsafe is removed. Children move around both inside and out with care and control. They do not throw

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

toys or resources but use them safely; helping to clear away before moving on to other activities or before meal times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Staff are using Birth to three matters and the Foundation Stage to plan the activities they provide for the children, although few of them are over three-years-old, and the nursery is not yet registered for funding. They evaluate, assess and record activities and children's development to ensure they are making suitable progress. Activities are adapted to meet the needs of the children. The baby room is light, bright and welcoming. The babies are settled and comfortable with the staff, who know them well. They enjoy a wide range of toys and activities including sand, water and paint. They also like to listen to stories and songs and join in simple actions. The upstairs rooms are divided into areas for specific activities, such as water, sand, painting, computer, small world, books and table top games. Children are able to select resources independently and play well together. They are encouraged to try

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

new things, are keen to learn and persevere with activities. They are proud of their art and craft achievements and happy to talk about what they have done. A selection of photographs is displayed showing the children enjoying a wide range of activities both inside and out. Their baking sessions are often planned to provide the snack for the afternoon. All the children enjoy stories, happily anticipating what will happen next. They use the wide range of books, which they can access independently, carefully and correctly. The children are settled, very sociable and confident. They have good relationships with staff and each other. They take turns, co-operate and are developing good manners. During activities the children talk to each other and the staff, and are developing a wide vocabulary. The children enjoy using a wide range of equipment, to develop their physical

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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 abilities, in the secure garden. They move around confidently and safely, whether it be on the climbing equipment or the riding toys. They also grow vegetables and flowers in the beds next to the building, having tall sunflowers with seeds ready to feed the birds during the winter.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The nursery has developed a very comprehensive but user friendly prospectus and information book for parents, who are encouraged to be involved in their children's education and care in the nursery. They can spend time with their children to help them settle, make suggestions and attend parents evenings. The key worker system ensures parents and staff exchange information about the children's development and well being on a regular basis, while the day sheets give up to date information about sleep, food and nappies. The comprehensive grievance and complaints procedure is made available to parents, with the Ofsted contact details included for any breaches of registration conditions or regulations. Telephone numbers are available on the notice board. Parents are informed of the outcome of any internal complaints by the manager, and a record of complaints is being maintained, which will be available for the next

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Helping children make a positive contribution

inspection. Children behave well, they are learning to have good manners and are starting to co-operate and take turns. They have good relationships with each other and the staff, confidently leaving their parents and carers to stay in the nursery. The children are playing and learning in a very positive encouraging environment. A comprehensive equal opportunities policy is in place which takes account of children, parents and staff. The nursery provides positive images of those often discriminated against. Children's knowledge of the world and awareness of diversity are developing well through the range of resources and activities they enjoy. They have recently celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Light, with stories, craft work and food. Children with special needs are welcome to attend the nursery, and the Special Needs Co-ordinator is to attend more training to support them. The nursery has been pro-active in planning the use of the premises and obtaining resources for children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

who may have different needs, including the provision of the sensory room and the wide range of toys. A selection of photographs is displayed in the upstairs play room, for parents to see their children enjoying a wide range of activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The nursery has developed very comprehensive policies and procedures, which are

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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 reviewed each year to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting. A prospectus and brochure are available for parents, which are user friendly and very informative. The staff are all appropriately qualified and experienced, with at least a Level 2 qualification on employment. There is an expectation that staff will continue to undertake training to support their own further development and practice. Sufficient staff are in post to ensure the appropriate staff ratio is well maintained.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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 use of the Foundation Stage to support the learning and development of the children.

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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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