Childsplay Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 04/11/2004 Inspector Name Sarah Elizabeth Howell

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Childsplay Nursery Setting Address 1d Seymour Drive Overpool Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH66 1LZ

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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

Childsplay Day Nursery has been registered since 1993. It is owned and managed by Janet Holland. The nursery is accommodated in a single storey building in Seymour Drive in Overpool near Ellesmere Port. The main area is divided into defined play areas for babies, toddlers and pre-school children. There are changing areas in the main bathroom and the baby room. There is a kitchen, laundry, office, staff room and staff toilet. An enclosed outside play area is available to the rear of the property. The nursery is registered to provide 34 places for children aged between birth and five years. There are currently 41 children on roll including eight funded children and three children with special educational needs. The nursery operates on week days throughout the year, excluding statutory bank holidays. The opening hours are from 07.30 to 18:00 hours. The nursery employs nine child care staff, a cook and an administrator. Three staff

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Information about the setting

have the NNEB or NVQ level 3 in Child Care and Education and three others have a level two NVQ or it's equivalent. In addition three members of staff are currently under taking relevant child care qualifications.

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How good is the Day Care?

Childsplay Nursery provides satisfactory care for children. Over half of all staff currently hold a relevant childcare qualification at level two or above, and staff have access to ongoing training to ensure that their skills and knowledge are updated. Although the majority of staff are cleared through appropriate channels, some new staff have not been made known to Ofsted. The nursery maintains appropriate staff child ratios, but has exceeded the condition relating to the number of two year olds being cared for at any one time. Space is used appropriately to provide for children's needs for play and relaxation, but storage facilities are poor which impacts on available play space. Toys are accessible to all children, encouraging children to be independent and make their own choices about resources. Staff have a satisfactory understanding of the safety needs of young children and closely supervise them at all times. A risk assessment is available but is incomplete.

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How good is the Day Care?

A range of good hygiene practises are employed by staff to minimise the spread of infection within the setting. The nursery provides a range of meals and snacks which

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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 are carefully planned to provide for children's dietary needs. Staff are able to identify children's individual needs including those relating to their development and plan appropriately for these by providing a range of activities and experiences. Written developmental recording is limited and does not provide adequate information about children's development for staff and parents. The nursery works closely with parents to provide an informed and consistent approach to the care of their children. Children with special needs are welcomed within the setting. The setting has a detailed Behaviour Management policy which provides clearly written information for parents. Managers and staff have an understanding of Child Protection procedures. They work closely with parents to

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How good is the Day Care?

protect children's welfare. All required records are in place.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection several actions were raised. These issues were checked again at this inspection and some were found to have been completed satisfactorily, whilst others still require further attention. Following the last inspection the Provider was required to comply with clearance procedures for vetting staff and develop an action plan detailing how they would ensure that half of the child care staff held a relevant qualification. Clearance procedures are still inconsistent and an action has been raised as under standard one. Over half of all childcare staff now hold a level two child care qualification or above. The Provider was also required to ensure staff/child ratios were maintained at all times. Evidence from the inspection and the attendance register indicates that these are now appropriately maintained.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

A number of issues were raised in relation to standard three; Care, Learning and Play. These related to the availability of activity plans to provide information for parents, the use key worker groups for children and the planning of activities for under twos. A key worker system is now in place providing each child with a designated member of staff to observe, monitor and record their progress, and share information on a regular basis with parents. Staff agreed that this now needs to be developed further. Play plans are in place for all age groups, including the under twos, providing useful information for parents. Several actions related to written policies and records. The setting was required to update all its policies in line with the National Standards. Many of these have now been successfully amended and provide useful information about the nursery's child care practises and procedures for staff and parents. An Operational Plan and a

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What has improved since the last inspection?

written statement on Special Needs were also required. An informative and detailed statement on Special needs has been developed. An Operational Plan is not yet available.

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What is being done well?

• There is a varied range of activities, planned to meet the needs of the

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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 children in each age related area. These activities are enjoyed by the children and help to support their development and learning. • The setting provides a friendly, " home from home" atmosphere which parents comment favourably upon, indicating that managers and staff are very approachable and willing to discuss their child's time at nursery with them. Staff were observed to be enthusiastic and caring in their work , providing children with warmth and affection and being concerned for children's emotional as well as intellectual development. • The provision for children with Special Educational needs is good. Managers and staff are actively working towards inclusion. They attend training in order to be better informed about the needs of children and families with S.E.N,

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What is being done well?

and work closely with parents and other agencies involved to identify, assess and plan appropriately for children's developing needs. Individual Educational Plans are well maintained and reviewed regularly. • Managers and staff work closely with parents in order to be well informed about children's needs and circumstances. They provide child care advice to support parents and provide consistency for children. Staff also provide regular, ongoing feedback for parents about their child's progress at nursery and any issues about development or behaviour etc.

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What needs to be improved?

• the procedures for informing Ofsted of changes to staff • compliance with the conditions of registration in order that the registered number of under two year olds is not exceeded • the availability of a written operational plan • the use of the key worker system and developmental recording • the arrangements for storage on the premises • risk assessments and the access to fire exits • the Equal Opportunities policy and the procedures for recording Child Protection concerns and sharing these with parents.

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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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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 1 Ensure that the Registered Person complies with all conditions of Registration, including any which require them and the staff employed at the setting to submit to a vetting procedure through Ofsted and the Criminal Records Bureau. 01/12/2004

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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

2 Ensure that the number of infants under two years in the setting does not exceed six as set out in the nursery's conditions of registration. 01/03/2005

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Provide an Operational plan which indicates how staff will be deployed, how and what activities are provided and how the training needs of staff are met. 3 Review the use of the key worker system and developmental recording to ensure that they meet the needs of children and parents. 4 Review the arrangements for storage within rooms where children are based to ensure that this does not detract from the space available for children's play or pose a safety hazard to children or staff. 6 Review the risk assessment to ensure that it identifies potential hazards to both children and staff's safety and outlines what action needs to be taken to eliminate or minimise the risk or hazard and within timescales. 6 Ensure that fire doors are not obstructed and can be easily opened from inside. 9 Review the Equal Opportunities policy to ensure that it provides information for staff and parents about how the setting promotes equality

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by the time of the next inspection

of opportunity for children. 13 Ensure that child protection concerns are shared with parents and recorded in line with the Area Child Protection Committee's procedures.

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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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