Ladybird Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 15/12/2004 Inspector Name Anne Daly

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Ladybird NHS Nursery Setting Address 8-10 Cardigan Avenue Westcliff-on-Sea Essex SS0 0SF

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Southend Hospital NHS Trust Address Prittlewell Chase Westcliff-on-Sea Essex SS0 0RY

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ORGANISATION 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

Ladybird NHS Nursery is run by Southend Hospital NHS Trust. It opened in 1991, moving to new premises in 2004. It operates from four base rooms in a converted house adjacent to Southend Hospital in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. A maximum of 68 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open on each week day throughout the year from 06:45 until 19:00. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 135 children from 0 to 8 years on roll. Of these, 26 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from a wide catchment area as most of their parents are Health Authority employees within the Southend area. The nursery currently supports a number of children with special educational needs and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs 20 staff. Twelve of the staff, including the manager, hold

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Information about the setting

appropriate early years qualifications. Five staff are working towards a qualification. The nursery receives support form the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and from the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

Ladybird NHS Nursery provides good quality care for children. Staff welcome children and parents to a warm and secure environment. Children are grouped age appropriately to ensure they feel secure and confident with the adults caring for them. Effective use made of staff and space, although occasionally staffing ratios are not met. The well maintained furniture and equipment meet children's individual needs. Staff have identified and attended training courses to ensure that they have relevant knowledge and skills. The setting maintains records, policies and procedures, although some require updating. Staff give priority to ensuring that children are safe, both inside and outside. School aged children are safely escorted to and from school. Staff actively promote excellent hygiene practices, acting in children's best interests in case of illness or emergency. Children are offered healthy and nutritious meals by staff well informed

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How good is the Day Care?

about their food allergies. Varied ranges of experiences used to help children learn about people's differences. Children with special needs are valued by staff meeting their individual needs. Staff are aware of their responsibilities regarding child protection issues, although procedures require review.

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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 Staff organise an interesting programme of activities to encourage children to choose their learning and play. Children have opportunities to be active in the safe, enclosed outside play areas and are taken on outings. Staff show children respect, listening to their requests and responding positively. Children are given clear guidelines on good behaviour and benefit from staff's consistent approach. Staff encourage children to feel good about themselves, though only limited provision reflecting people's differences made available to babies. Staff work in partnership with parents, gaining as much information as possible about their child to ensure that their individual needs are met.

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What is being done well?

• Children develop confidence and self esteem as given a great deal of freedom to choose activities within pre-set routines. By making decisions, they are largely self-directed and have good opportunities to enhance their learning. • A key worker system ensures that staff know the children well. They spend time observing and evaluating children's progress and activities. Staff have recently started to use the Birth to Three Framework when supporting under three years' learning and development. • A warm and friendly environment, with children's safety paramount, provided for parents and children by staff applying appropriate safety measures to avoid dangerous situations. • Staff have an excellent understanding of how to prevent spread of infections by ensuring compliance with all procedures. Everybody expected to wash their hands with an Alcohol Gel on entering the nursery. Children follow basic hygiene routines and their parents given good information regarding

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What is being done well?

infections etc. Thorough baby changing routines and staff ensure that no one walks on carpeted areas with outdoor shoes. • Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of the children's individual needs. The nursery effectively provides for children with special needs as staff have the necessary skills and experience to identify potential difficulties. They secure appropriate support and early intervention to effectively meet children's individual needs. • Children's behaviour is good in response to realistic expectations and sensitive management by staff. Children taught to be polite and respectful, while understanding right from wrong. • Children benefit from a mutually supportive partnership between their parents and staff. Staff welcome parents into the nursery and there is a two-way flow of information through individual meetings, twice yearly open days, daily information sheets for under threes and notice boards. The nursery offers

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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 flexible care to cover parents' varying working hours.

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What needs to be improved?

• staffing ratios within rooms • policies, procedures and records: a true record of staff in rooms at any one time, Ofsted clearance letters and the child protection statement • toys and books reflecting people's differences in the younger children's rooms.

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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 9 Ensure that younger children have an appropriate range of resources promoting equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. 13 Seek advice and review the procedures for handling allegations of abuse made against a staff member or volunteer. 14 Ensure receipt of staff clearance letters from Ofsted and review procedures to ensure that staffing ratios are maintained, including updating documentation, regarding staff deployment within rooms at any one time.

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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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