Burngrave Middle School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 01/02/2005 Inspector Name Melissa Tickner

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name The Oaks Nursery School Nursery Setting Address Riding Lane Hildenborough Tonbridge Kent TN11 9HY

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of The Oaks Nursery School Nursery 1045244

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name The Oaks Nursery School Nursery Address Riding Lane Hildenborough Tonbridge Kent TN11 9HY

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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

The Oaks nursery school opened in 1994 and operates from a mobile unit in the grounds of Hildenborough primary school, near Tonbridge, Kent. A maximum of 20 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08.30 to 15:30 during term time only. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 40 children aged from 2 to under 5 years on roll. Of these 35 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from a catchment area of the local area and surrounding villages. The nursery supports children with special educational needs, and also supports children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs six staff. Five of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications. The setting receives support from a teacher/mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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How good is the Day Care?

The Oaks Nursery School provides good standards of care. The premises are warm and welcoming, with best use made of space. An extremely attractive outdoor play space has been created for children, which is well used and provides a range of learning and play opportunities. Staff are well qualified and attendance at training is encouraged. Staff are well deployed and high ratios are maintained.

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How good is the Day Care?

The day is well organised to provide children with a very good range of activities. They are busy, involved and very well supported by staff. Excellent levels of care and interaction are offered and staff relate well to children. There is a very good range of toys, furniture and resources. All appear well maintained and most are organised to promote children's accessibility and freedom of choice. Staff have a clear awareness of safety issues, and safe indoor and outdoor play environments are maintained. Staff complete clear risk assessments and daily checks. As a result children are cared for in a safe, child-friendly environment. Good

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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 health and hygiene is promoted to a high standard by staff and encouraged with children. They regularly wash their hands before snack and meal times. A healthy range of snacks and drinks are provided such as fruit and crackers. Children do not currently have independent access to drinking water. There is a very good approach to equal opportunities issues and staff actively promote this. Staff are aware of and meet children's individual needs. Staff have a clear awareness of special needs issues and a positive approach. Consistent and positive methods to managing children's behaviour are adopted by all staff. Staff have developed good systems for working in partnership with parents, and parents are happy with their children's care. Paperwork is up to date and complete, with the exception of a couple of minor details missing from policies, and consent for

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How good is the Day Care?

emergency treatment. All paperwork is well organised and stored.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection, the nursery was set actions to implement a lost child policy, develop risk assessments and procedures for outings and weekly swimming and produce a written complaints procedure. All of these have been addressed thoroughly, with regular risk assessments now being completed and all policies appropriately implemented.

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What is being done well?

• Children have access to a very good range of stimulating and fun play opportunities, which are varied and linked to the areas of learning. Excellent levels of care and interaction are offered and staff relate well to the children. They encourage and support children and offer regular learning opportunities throughout the day. Children are confident, independent and happy at The Oaks Nursery School. • Staff promote equal opportunities well. They meet children's needs extremely well and treat children as individuals. Differences and diversity are welcomed and valued and staff promote equality well. A good range of resources is available to promote the diversity of our society and children have enjoyed activities such as Chinese New Year to help teach them about different cultures. • There are clear methods used by staff for managing children's behaviour. Staff are consistent, positive and use praise regularly throughout sessions.

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What is being done well?

They offer children regular encouragement and value their contributions at all times. All staff manage behaviour well and create a positive environment, which promotes and encourages good behaviour. • Good partnership with parents has been established. Parents are happy with care received and are kept well informed about their children's care and education through a variety of different means such as daily discussion, newsletters, annual informal parents evening and parents notice board. Parents are worked with closely and good working relationships have been

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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 established.

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What needs to be improved?

• the availability of a policy for uncollected children • the availability of permission for emergency treatment consent • the systems to ensure children can access fresh drinking water independently at all times • the child protection policy to ensure it includes the procedures to be taken in the event of an allegation against a member of 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 7 Request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. 8 Develop systems to ensure children can independently access fresh drinking water at all times. 14 Ensure a policy is available regarding uncollected children. Include the procedures to be taken in the event of an allegation against a member of staff in the child protection policy.

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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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