Bright Sparks Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 14/10/2004 Inspector Name Alison Edwards

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Bright Sparks Day Nursery Setting Address 31 Hurst Road Hinckley Leicestershire LE10 1AB

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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

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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. When making judgements, inspectors have regard to how well the provider meets the National Standards for under Eights Day Care and Childminding. A list of these is attached. The report identifies strengths and areas for improvement. This inspection report must be made available to all parents.

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Information about the setting

Bright Sparks Day Nursery is a privately-run provision which was registered in 1995. It operates from a converted detached house on a residential road near the centre of Hinckley in the southwest of Leicestershire. The proprietors own two further nurseries in Market Bosworth and Hinckley. The ground floor provides two separate playrooms for babies and older children, with a third room available for activities such as sand and painting. Kitchen and toileting facilities are also provided on the ground floor. Older children also have supervised access to the lower ground floor room, with office, staff and store rooms on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The nursery serves the local area providing care for children from six weeks of age. It offers nursery education to funded three- and four-year-olds and provides out of school and holiday care for school-aged children including collection from two local

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Information about the setting

schools. It makes provision for children with identified special educational needs and with English as an additional language. It opens from 08:00 until 17:30 on Mondays to Fridays throughout the year. There are currently 30 children on roll including 9 funded 3-year-olds. Excluding the proprietors there are currently six regular staff, four of whom hold relevant qualifications at level three or above, with a fifth holding a level two qualification. The nursery receives support from the Leicestershire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and holds the Investors in People award.

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How good is the Day Care?

Bright Sparks Day Nursery provides good quality daycare for children. There is a comprehensive operational plan specific to the nursery providing detailed policies and procedures to support its running. A good proportion of the current staff hold recognised childcare qualifications. Premises are suitably maintained and provide sufficient indoor space and extensive scope for a good variety of outdoor activities. Furnishings and equipment are safely maintained. Thorough risk assessment procedures are in place to identify and minimise potential hazards, and children receive careful supervision. Information is sought on individual health, care and dietary needs, although medication recording systems lack occasional detail and relevant certified first aid cover is not always maintained. Meals and snacks are varied and appetising, helping children develop healthy eating

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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 habits. Staff show an awareness of practical ways to help children recognise and respect diversity through their daily activities and routines. They recognise their child protection responsibilities, although the current policy is not fully in line with national and local guidance. Children are relaxed and confident in their dealings with adults and peers. They are often busy and interested in their play, although this is not always best organised to fully extend children's learning. Staff are usually directly involved with children, talking and playing with them. They are able to establish a calm and affectionate environment, taking account of children's level of maturity and setting positive and consistent expectations for behaviour. Parents receive clear and detailed information about the running of the nursery and

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How good is the Day Care?

are encouraged to share information with staff about their children's preferred care routines. Newsletters and notice boards relate to some aspects of children's activities and parents have access to children's developmental records.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery has taken suitable steps to address issues raised previously. Safety arrangements in the garden have been improved by removing a temporarily-accessible glass panel, covering an exposed drain and ensuring side gates can be bolted. Proprietor and senior staff identify satisfactory procedures to ensure uncleared staff do not have unsupervised access to children, and describe satisfactory arrangements to ensure staff involvement in cleaning tasks do not adversely affect adult:child ratios.

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What is being done well?

• Comprehensive, well-organised policies and procedures have been drawn up which are specific to the individual group of nurseries and closely linked to many aspects of the National Standards for Daycare. Staff show familiarity with these and an ability to put them into practice to support the effective management of the nursery, for example through their use of detailed and specific risk assessment procedures to review safety precautions. • A clear and positive statement on behaviour management supports staff in establishing consistent expectations for children's behaviour taking account of their level of maturity. There is a calm atmosphere in which children show confidence in their dealings with staff and peers and where older children begin to understand turn-taking and the rules needed for simple games. • The enclosed rear garden offers scope for a wide range of outdoor activities through use of physical play equipment such as swings and slides, ample

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What is being done well?

space for children to develop their confidence in movement skills on the lawned areas, and opportunities for children to learn about the changing seasons and the natural environment, for example in the development and use of ripe fruit on the apple trees.

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• organisation and use of resources, activities and first hand experiences to more effectively encourage children to build on their natural curiosity and develop their thinking, imagination and independence • arrangements to ensure at least one staff member with an approved current first aid qualification covering infants and young children is present at all times and that medication records distinguish between prior parental written instruction to give medication and parental counter-signature acknowledging actual administration • the child protection policy to comply fully with the National Standards for daycare and the local Area Child Protection Committee statement with regard to procedures to be followed in the event of any child protection allegation against staff.

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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 Develop more effective organisation and use of resources, activities and first hand experiences to actively encourage children to build on their natural curiosity and develop their thinking, imagination and independence. 7 Ensure there is at least one staff member present at all times with a current approved first aid qualification including infants and young children. Ensure medication recording systems distinguish between prior written parental instruction for medication administration and parental counter-signature acknowledging actual administration. 13 Review child protection procedures to ensure compliance with the National Standards for Daycare and the local Area Child Protection Committee statement with regard to procedures to be followed in the

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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 event of any child protection allegation against staff.

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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

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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 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

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