Prospect House

Prospect House

Inspection report for early years provision

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Prospect House

Unique Reference Number EY306287 Inspection date 24 January 2006 Inspector Dawn Bonica Brown

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Prospect House

Setting Address 2 New Street,, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4BH

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E-mail

Registered person Ann Margaret Speight 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?

Prospect House Day Nursery opened in 2005 and operates from a detached building in Horsforth, West Yorkshire. A maximum of 65 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 07.30 to 18.00. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 55 children aged from 3 months to 8 years on roll. There are no children currently in receipt of funding for nursery education. The nursery employs ten staff and of these five, including the manager, hold

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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 appropriate early years qualifications. There are two staff working towards a qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are beginning to learn the importance of hygiene and are developing good habits of personal care as they remember to wash their hands. Children remain healthy because their welfare is closely protected through good hygiene procedures that monitor routines such as those including nappy changing, children's allergies, sleeping arrangements and feeding times for young babies. Staff work closely with parents to ensure that children receive good continuity of care. However, the systems in place to ensure that parents are made aware of any medication given to their children is not secure. This is because not all parents have signed the records to establish their awareness of medication administered. Children are protected from infection and well taken care of if they have an accident. Their well-being is closely protected because a significant number of staff hold a current first aid certificate. This means they have the relevant knowledge to promptly

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Helping children to be healthy

administer first aid. Children enjoy the benefits of being physically active as they enjoy active play outdoors on a daily basis. Children develop positive attitudes to mealtimes and their appreciation and enjoyment of food is enhanced because meals are a social occasion when staff and children, including babies, sit together. They learn the importance of healthy eating through incentives that encourage them to try a wide range of food. They are well nourished and enjoy a balanced diet that includes a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are secure and well supervised in a clean environment that is well maintained. They are well protected and benefit from good safety measures carried out by staff who are vigilant. For example, all children experience regular emergency evacuation drills so that they become familiar with the escape routines in the event of a real emergency. Children are very independent and they select toys freely from a wide range of high quality resources that are clean and well maintained. They use toys and equipment that are safe, suitable for their purpose and provide challenge and stimulation. The Birth to three framework is well implemented to support young children's independence. They select easily accessible resources safely. Furniture is arranged to provide good space and encouragement for babies to explore their environment. Toddlers are successfully encouraged to choose toys from child height storage that is

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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 are well protected by staff who are knowledgeable about their responsibilities in line with the Area Child Protection Committee guidelines. They are well trained and have a sound understanding of the correct reporting procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning through their experiences and are engaged in a suitable range of activities and spontaneous events which support their development and overall learning. They enjoy listening to stories, looking at books with each other and engage in spontaneous role play. Children benefit from appropriate routines that provide a suitable balance of rest and active play. They respond to adults' interest and are encouraged to expand their vocabulary and try new experiences. This builds their self-esteem and boosts their confidence. Children are allowed time to explore the environment and resources independently and at their own pace so that they enjoy their time at the nursery. They have made friends and have good relationships with staff. Children receive plenty of individual attention and are listened to so that they learn to listen to, and respect the needs of others.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the staffs' outcome based approach to extend their learning. For example, they are intrigued by the butterflies that are attracted to their garden. Staff support their interest by helping them to watch the caterpillars turn into butterflies. Children's awareness of their local environment is suitably fostered through outings such as trips to the local airport.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and included because staff listen to them and strive to meet their individual interests. Children's independence and self-confidence is suitably fostered; they know where resources are and help themselves freely to a wide range of toys. All children are adequately supported to play a full part in the setting because activities are suitably adapted to allow the range of children being cared for to have equal access. Children benefit from activities and resources that help them to value diversity. For example, they learn about the wider society by using resources that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability and participate in activities that foster their awareness. Children behave well and know what is expected of them because their good behaviour is recognised and praised. They learn to consider others because they are treated with respect and encouraged to be polite through appropriate examples from

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Helping children make a positive contribution

adults. School aged children receive further encouragement to behave well because they are involved in setting the rules and their opinions are valued.

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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 Children gain in self esteem and confidence because their individual needs are suitably met. Staff work closely with parents to ensure that continuity of care is established. For example, the setting uses a "home-link diary" that outlines such things as how children have spent their time during the day as well as the food they have eaten.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are suitably cared for by staff who demonstrate an appropriate knowledge of child development. The provider has a clear sense of purpose and is committed to staff development and training. Staff are competent and make suitable use of their time to support children and put their well-being first. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. Children benefit from a welcoming, child orientated environment because space and resources are used appropriately to allow children to follow their own learning agendas. Children's welfare is adequately promoted through the satisfactory organisation and upkeep of records. Children's registers are maintained and parents are responsible for signing their children out of the premises. However, this method is not secure as children are not signed out with sufficient consistency to ensure that all staff are

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Organisation

aware of which children are no longer in the building.

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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. There are no complaints to report.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve children's well-being by implementing a secure system of informing parents of any medication that has been administered to their children • increase the level of children's safety by ensuring that the systems to monitor their times of arrival and departure are secure.

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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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