Craghead Childcare Centre

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 10/03/2005 Inspector Name Kathleen Snowdon

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Craghead Childcare Centre Setting Address The Middles Craghead Stanley County Durham DH9 6AG

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Craghead Development Trust Address Burnside Resource Centre Mendip Terrace Stanley County Durham DH9 6QP

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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

Craghead Childcare Centre opened in 2004 and operates from a purpose built premises in which children are based in two rooms. The Caterpillar room accommodates children under two years, while children aged over two progress into the Butterfly room. It is situated in Craghead, Stanley, County Durham and is close to other facilities such as local schools, shops and medical centre. All the children have access to a fully enclosed outdoor area. A maximum of 30 children aged under five years may attend at any one time. The Centre is open each weekday from 07.30 to 18.30, all year round. There are currently 35 children on roll for Full Day Care, 17 of whom receive funding for nursery education. None have special educational needs, or speak English as a second language. The Centre receives support from Sure Start, and uses the " Birth to Three Matters" framework, and learning through play approach to plan activities.

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Information about the setting

In addition to this service, the Centre also runs playgroup sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays in term time only, from 13.15 to 15.00, and pre-school sessions five days a week, from 09.00 to 11.30 also in term time only. Once a month. Family Activity Days are held for families in and around the local community to participate in a range of topical childcare themes. The Centre employs eight appropriately qualified staff who work directly with the children, and an administrator.

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How good is the Day Care?

Craghead Childcare Centre provides a good standard of care to young children. The purpose built setting, is well lit, well ventilated with well defined play areas containing bright wall displays of the children's artwork, and an excellent range of easily accessible equipment to help the children make progress in all areas. The well qualified staff group form excellent relationships with the children. They are interested in them, and use their very good understanding of child development to inform their practice. The key worker system helps them to value each child as a unique individual, and good use of the " Birth to Three Matters" framework and learning through play approach, helps them to effectively plan a very good range of stimulating activities for the children to participate in. They attend events in the local community such as Road Safety Days, and receive input from people outside the nursery environment, such as librarians, to further extend their pre-school

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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 consistently use sensitive, effective and appropriate methods to manage the children's behaviour, resulting in calm, well behaved and contented children. Staff work very well in partnership with parents who have highly positive views of the staff and the service they provide. They look after children according to their parent's wishes, and keep parents well informed about the provision and their children's progress through daily discussions and a dedicated noticeboard. Staff are highly conscientious about health and safety matters. They effectively assess risk indoors and out, and actively promote good health and hygeine practices such as hand washing and healthy eating. They attend relevant training courses, such as Child Protection, to ensure that they have a good working knowledge of

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How good is the Day Care?

potential risks to children. This is underpinned by the meticulous way the frequently monitored records are kept, to contribute to the safe and efficient running of the Centre on a daily basis.

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What is being done well?

• The excellent relationships that staff form with children, whose behaviour they manage with sensitivity and kindness. • The very good range of activities thay plan for the children, and the stimulating range of equipment that the children have access to, to help them make progress in all areas. • The highly conscientious approach they take towards health and safety issues, to ensure that the children remain safe and secure during their time at the Centre. • The very effective partnership that staff form with parents, to help to ensure that the needs of the children are fully met. • The meticulous way records are kept, to help to ensure that the Centre runs smoothly and safely.

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What needs to be improved?

• plans for the outdoor area, to enhance the outdoor curriculum.

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

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 3 Continue to develop plans to improve the outdoor curriculum.

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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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