Abacus Day Nursery and Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 10/12/2003 Inspector Name Caroline, Marie Hearn

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Abacus Nursery Setting Address Westside Oxford Road Newbury Berkshire RG14 1XB

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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

Abacus Day Nursery is privately owned by Kingsclere Nurseries who run a chain of seven Nurseries. They have owned Abacus since 1998. It operates from a detached building and is set out over two floors. On the first floor is the baby room for children up to one year and the Baby Toddler room for children aged from one to two years. On the ground floor they have, the two to three years room and the Pre-School rooms for children aged from three to five years. The Nursery is close to Newbury town centre and is used by families who live outside the immediate area as well as those who live locally and in the nearby villages. There are currently 64 children on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language. The Nursery opens five days a week and is open between 08:00 and 18:00 for 52 weeks of the year with the exception of Bank Holidays and a week at Christmas

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Information about the setting

time. Ten staff hold a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from a teacher/mentor from the local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (E.Y.D.C.P).

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How good is the Day Care?

The over all quality and standard of day care is good. Staff are deployed effectively and work well as a team. This ensures the children are offered continuity of care. The Nursery has a large selection of well maintained toys and equipment, which encourage children's development and ensures that they are sufficiently challenged. Due to a lack of low level storage in some areas the children's ability to self select is limited. However the staff constantly rotate the selection of toys on offer to ensure they provide the children with a varied selection of resources. The Nursery have good safety arrangements in place and the reasons for these are explained in an age/stage appropriate way to the children. Mealtimes are generally a social time, however due to a lack of organisation in the baby toddler room the needs of all children were at times not being met. Planning and preparation is well thought through and this result's in the children

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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 being offered appropriate activities and gaining as much as possible from them. The staff are consistent in their method of behaviour management. This ensures that the children have clear boundaries. The Nursery consults with parents about the need for any special services and equipment for children who have a special needs. This helps to ensure the on going development of special needs children who attend the setting. Time is made at the end of each session for staff to talk to parents regarding any concerns and to discuss their child's day and achievements. All the relevant policies/procedures and documentation relating to the children is in place. Staff are clearly aware of these and implement them appropriately during direct work with the children, thus ensuring they are able to offer them continuity of care.

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What is being done well?

• Children appear to be confident and interacted well with their peers and adults present • The staff have a clear understanding of health and safety issues and ensure this knowledge is put in to practise during direct work with the children. • All children are included and their differences are acknowledged and valued. • Children with special needs are provided with relevant activities and play opportunities, which promote their welfare and development. • The staff are consistent in their method of behaviour management. This ensures that the children have clear boundaries and that good behaviour is encouraged.

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What needs to be improved?

• accesibility of resources at the baby and toddler height. • organisation of lunchtime in the baby toddler room to ensure the needs of all children are met.

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Outcome of the 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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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 5 Consider having more resources available for the babies and toddlers at their height to enable them to self select and encourage their independence. 8 Review the organisation of lunchtime in the babytoddler room to ensure the needs of all children are met.

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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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