Thrive Cotton Lane

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 16/07/2003 Inspector Name Ron Goldsmith

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Smarties Nursery Setting Address Cotton Lane Cotton Edmunds Chester Cheshire CH3 7PZ

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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ABOUT THE INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality and standard of day care in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and that the nursery education for funded three and four year old children is of an acceptable quality. Inspection of nursery education also identifies strengths and weaknesses so that providers can improve the quality of educational provision and help children to achieve the early learning goals (elgs) by the end of the Foundation Stage. This inspection report must be made available to all parents. If the setting has been inspected previously, an action plan will have been drawn up to tackle issues identified. This inspection, therefore, must also assess what progress has been made in the implementation of this plan.

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Information about the setting

Smarties Day Nursery is situated in Cotton Edmunds, a rural area approximately five miles from Chester. The nursery has been in existence since 1989 and has three distinct buildings which provide nursery accommodation and an out of school provision and holiday play scheme in a new purpose built building. The nursery is surrounded by open fields, some of which belong to the provision and provide additional outdoor space. A swimming pool is available on an adjacent, secure site and access to this is strictly controlled by ASA qualified staff. There is a large and experienced staff group, many of whom have been with the nursery for twelve years. Qualifications in the staff group include qualified teachers, NNEB and NVQ Level III (Child Care and Education).

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How good is the Day Care?

Smarties Day Nursery provides good care for children. The staff work well together as a team. All staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities. The proprietor invests considerably in an on going staff training and development programme. Staff are fully involved in planning a diverse and interesting range of activities which build on children's natural curiosity. Staff are skilful in managing children's behaviour and developing their confidence and independence. The provision encourage the building of positive relationships with children and their parents to help meet the individual needs of children. The staff listen to and value what children say and talk with them about what they are doing. Good behaviour from children is valued and encouraged. There is a good range of quality toys, furniture and equipment to meet the needs of all children. Toys and play equipment are accessible. The environment of the

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How good is the Day Care?

nursery is stimulating and provides children with opportunities to play both indoors and outdoors. Staff use the natural environment well, encouraging children to spend time outdoors.

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How good is the Day 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 Staff give high priority to ensuring the safety of children both inside and outside the nursery. They carry out procedures detailed in the safety policies including risk assessments for all areas of operation in the nursery. The size of groups in the nursery and the movement of children between groups to provide a richer experience is well planned but the nursery could improve the assessment and planning for children under three years. The key worker system is consistent. The provision provide children with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. The food is properly prepared, nutritious and is well presented. Fresh water is also available. There is good partnership with parents who are well informed about procedures at

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How good is the Day Care?

the nursery, have a good understanding of activities provided for children and access to written records.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the provider agreed to update policies on the emergency collection of children after hours and to review the child protection policy. two new policies have been written and additionally a number of the staff team have attended child protection training. Repairs to a toilet door and fencing have also been carried out.

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What is being done well?

• The provision provides a range of interesting and stimulating activities which help support children's learning and development. • Very good records, policies and procedures which are required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are maintained. • Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious and adequate in quantity for children's needs. • Relationships with parents are very good. The provider works in partnership with parents to ensure children are looked after according to parents wishes and procedures are in place to keep parents informed about the provision and their children, including regular newsletters. • Provision for babies is very good. Staff give excellent attention to meeting babies individual needs for eating, sleeping and exchanging information with parents. They plan activities well to give babies and toddlers interesting sensory experiences. • At the out of school club/holiday play scheme children take part in a wide

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What is being done well?

range of activities where they can choose their own games and make decisions about playing indoors or out. • The nursery is committed to a process of continual development and improvement of it's practice and creates opportunities for this to happen.

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What is being done well?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

The provision has a strong commitment to training and investing in staff. The provision benefits from staff who are loyal to the nursery - turnover of staff is low and children benefit from the consistency in the work force.

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What needs to be improved?

• staff should continue to implement the Sure Start initative and record this appropriately (standard 3). • review the fire evacuation procedure and comply with any recommendations made by the Fire Safety Officer (standard 6).

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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

All registered persons must comply with all conditions of registration included on his/her certificate of registration. As a result of this inspection conditions of registration have been imposed / varied / removed and a new certificate of registration will be issued.

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 3 Consider how staff can improve how they observe, record and plan the next steps of children’s play and learning for children under three years. 6 Review the fire evacuation procedure and comply with any recommendations made by the Fire Safety Officer.

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by the time of the next 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

The educational provision in this setting for funded three and four year olds is very good. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals in personal, social, and emotional development, communication, language and literacy, mathematical development, knowledge and understanding of the world, physical and creative development. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff have a very good knowledge and understanding of the foundation stage. Planning covers all areas of learning and highlights the stepping stones. Organisation of staff and resources enable both three and four year olds to make good progress. Children's behaviour is well managed. Observations and assessments are used to record children's progress, These are used as a tool to identify the next steps for learning. The quality of leadership and management is very good. The manager liases closely with staff to ensure it's aims are carried out. The manager organises regular staff

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How effective is the nursery education?

meetings and clearly identifies roles and responsibilities. The training and development plans for staff are discussed. Monitoring and reviews of the effectiveness of individual activities are recorded. All staff work hard to improve any areas of weakness identified. Partnership with parents is a strength of this setting and is very good. Parents receive comprehensive information about the setting including the educational programme. They are kept well informed about the activities children do and the areas of learning that these cover through parents evenings and homework. In addition to daily informal opportunities to share information, and discuss their child's progress and contribute to the record. Very positive remarks are made from parent's about the setting.

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What is being done well?

• The children communicating well with each other and staff. They are confident, interested and motivated to learn. • Staff use their knowledge of the foundation stage to plan activities to meet the children's individual needs. • The very good awareness the children are developing about their local environment and the wider world. • The very good partnership with parents and carers. • The effectiveness of the leadership and management in assessing and monitoring the provision for nursery education.

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What is being done well?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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What needs to be improved?

• To work towards obtaining suitable accreditation for Quality Counts.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Very good progress has been made since the last inspection. All staff working with pre school children are competent in computers.

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What has improved 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good The children are making very good progress in personal, social and emotional development. They develop their confidence from having opportunities to be independent in selecting their own activities and putting things away, and are becoming increasingly self reliant. Children behave appropriately for their age and have consideration for others. They are interested, confident and motivated to learn through the wide variety of activities provided.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Progress in communication, language and literacy is very good. All children communicate well with each other and the staff, using language with increasing confidence and developing skill. Dialogue in role play is particularly imaginative. Children are learning to recognise their names, can match sounds to letters and letters to form words. Children enjoy stories and participating in actions. They freely select books from the reading corner and have opportunities to use their writing skills.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children's progress in mathematical development is very good. The children have many opportunities for counting in everyday activities, such as music time, and the number allowed at each activity. They are very confident is their counting forwards and backwards and understand addition and subtraction. Children recognise shape, they use language well to describe size when comparing flowers and vegetables they have grown in the garden, and the teddy bears in the story.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Very good progress is being made in knowledge and understanding of the world. They learn about the environment through observing the immediate surroundings around them. They are developing an awareness of the wider world when discussing different ways of travel and through their sponsorship of a child in another country. There are very good resources to help children understand other cultures. They are skilful at constructing bridge's with building kits.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good The children are making very good progress in physical development. They have many opportunities to develop strength and balance through using climbing apparatus and wheeled toys. They understand the importance of keeping healthy and safe when outside in the hot sun. They handle small tools such as writing implements, scissors and cutlery with good control. They use small equipment well, fitting together jigsaws and construction kits with dexterity.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children's progress in creative development is very good. The children enjoy exploring colour in imaginative ways through art and craft activities. They use different textured materials to create pictures. They see their work is valued by it being displayed. The children use expressive dialogue when engaging in role play. They enjoy and greet music time with enthusiasm where they sing, act and move to the wide variety of songs and rhymes of their choice.

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Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following: • To work towards obtaining suitable accreditation for 'Quality Counts' The provider must draw up an action plan within 40 working days of receipt of this report showing how the key issues detailed above will be addressed. The action plan must be made available to all parents and to the Local Authority if required. An evaluation of the action taken will form part of the next inspection of funded nursery education.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

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STANDARD 2 - ORGANISATION

The registered person meets required adult: child ratios, ensures that training and qualifications requirements are met and organises space and resources to meet the children's needs effectively.

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STANDARD 3 - CARE, LEARNING AND PLAY

The registered person meets children's individual needs and promotes their welfare. They plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

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STANDARD 4 - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The premises are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. They provide adequate space in an appropriate location, are welcoming to children and offer access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities which promote their development.

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STANDARD 5 - EQUIPMENT

Furniture, equipment and toys are provided which are appropriate for their purpose and help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are of suitable design and condition, well maintained and conform to safety standards.

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STANDARD 6 - SAFETY

The registered person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

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STANDARD 7 - HEALTH

The registered person promotes the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when they are ill.

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STANDARD 8 - FOOD AND DRINK

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements.

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STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified or admitted to the provision. Steps are taken to promote the welfare and development of the child within the setting in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties.

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STANDARD 11 - BEHAVIOUR

Adults caring for children in the provision are able to manage a wide range of children's behaviour in a way which promotes their welfare and development.

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STANDARD 12 - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND CARERS

The registered person and staff work in partnership with parents and to meet the needs of the children, both individually and as a group. Information is shared.

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STANDARD 13 - CHILD PROTECTION

The registered person complies with local child protection procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee and ensures that all adults working and looking after children in the provision are able to put the procedures into practice.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

Records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision, or to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are maintained. Records about individual children are shared with the child's parent.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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