Barnes Farm Junior School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 30/04/2003 Inspector Name Charlotte Jenkin

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SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name Noah`s Ark Nursery School Setting Address Downlands Road Devizes Wiltshire SN10 5EF

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Noah`s Ark Nursery School Committee

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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

Noah's Ark Nursery School is a non-profit making group, managed by a voluntary committee. It has the sole use of a mobile room sited in the grounds of Wansdyke Primary School. The nursery has a small outdoor area and is able to use the school playground for outdoor play. After leaving Noah's Ark, children attend a variety of primary schools in the area. The group is open on Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 3:15pm. Morning sessions are from 9:00 to 12:00 midday and afternoons from 12:45pm to 3:15pm. Children may attend a supervised lunch from 12:00 midday to 12:45pm. The group is registered to take a maximum of 20 children aged two to five years old. Two year olds may attend two designated afternoon sessions only. From the term in which they become three years old, children may also attend mornings. The Nursery is registered to accept funded three and four year olds and currently has 37 funded three and four year olds on roll. The children are cared for by five

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Information about the setting

regular members of staff, some of whom are part-time. Sessions are supervised by the play leader who has a Diploma in Preschool Practice or by the deputy who has an NNEB. The other members of staff all have an early years qualification.

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How good is the Day Care?

Noah's Ark provides satisfactory quality care for children. Noah's Ark has a supportive committee with clear roles and responsibilities. The staff are all Early years qualified and attend regular training to up date their knowledge in childcare. The classroom is organised into clear learning areas and staff have a clear understanding of their roles in supervising activities. Noah's Ark provides a welcoming environment for the children and parents having bright displays of the children's work all around. The nursery holds most of the appropriate documentation, however the hours of attendance of the children, staff and visitors are not kept and parents do not countersign the medication book after the administering of medication. The staff at Noah's ark have a suitable awareness of health and safety issues. Risk assessments are conducted annually, accident trends are reviewed and appropriate hygiene practices are promoted. There are suitable measures in place to

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How good is the Day Care?

make staff aware of children's dietary needs, good arrangements for children with special educational needs and good practices in place for promoting equality of opportunity for all. The operational plan does not include procedures for the safe conduct of outings, electrical appliances are not checked and the shelves in the playroom pose a hazard to the children. Noah's Ark has a suitable range of resources and equipment to support children's learning in most areas of the curriculum. Staff interact well with the children and are consistent in their approach

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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 to managing behaviour. The methods used re-enforce good behaviour. There are limited opportunities for children to build on their natural curiosity as learners and observations of the children are not clearly linked to the next step in planning. Noah's Ark has an effective partnership with parents. Regular parents meetings are held and information is shared. There is no system for ensuring parents keep the nursery updated about changes.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection, the supervisor agreed to devise a plan to ensure all staff have suitable qualifications, plan appropriate activities for the two year old sessions, ensure risk assessments are done and ensure a record of visitors was available. They also agreed to keep a record of incidents, obtain written emergency medical consent, ensure the complaints procedure included the name and address of the regulator and ensure records are accessible to parents. All staff now have an early years qualification which enable them to plan effective activities linked to the foundation stage curriculum. The two year old sessions are planned which ensures there is a wider choice of activities for this age group. Risk assessments are done annually which ensures safety issues are addressed. A record of visitors is kept; however, the names and times of attendance are not and this will be brought forward as a recommendation. The incident book enables staff to record inappropriate

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What has improved since the last inspection?

behaviour and share with parents on a regular basis. Written consent for emergency medical treatment is now in place for each child which ensures parents are aware of the procedures if their child is involved in an accident. The complaints procedure now includes the name and address of the regulator which ensures parents are informed of the procedures in the event of a complaint. There is a form explaining to parents that their children's records are available to them at all times.

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What is being done well?

The nursery has good support systems in place for children with special educational needs, working closely with parents and outside agencies to ensure the children's needs are being met.(standard 10) Noah's ark promotes equality of opportunity and has a good range of multi-cultural resources for children's daily play.(standard 9) The Nursery has a good range of resources and equipment on offer to the children to support learning in most areas of the curriculum. The staff have clear responsibilities in supervising activities and interact well with the children.(standard 5,2 and 3) The staff are consistent in encouraging good behaviour and re-enforce positive behaviour using a variety of appropriate techniques.(standard 11) The staff are all qualified and regularly attend training to gain up to date knowledge in the childcare sector.(standard 1)

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What needs to be improved?

the registration system to ensure hours of attendance is recorded for staff, visitors and children. (standard 14) the procedure for administering medication to ensure parents countersign the medication book.( standard 7) the testing of electrical appliances to ensure their safety. (standard 6) operational procedures for taking

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What needs to be improved?

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 on outings to ensure children's safety. (standard 6) opportunities for building on children's natural curiosity as learners and for selecting and using resources independently. (standard 3) links between observations of what children can do and planning the next steps in their learning. (standard 3) the children's safety with regard to the playroom shelving. (standard 6)

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 3 Improve opportunities for children to build on their natural curiosity as learners. 3 Ensure observations of the children are used to plan the next steps for children’s play, learning and development. 6 Ensure electrical appliances are regularly tested. 6 Ensure there are operational procedures for the safe conduct of any outings. 6 Ensure the shelves in the playroom do not pose a hazard to the children 14 Ensure the registration system includes the times of arrival and departure of children, staff and visitors. 14 Ensure the medication book is countersigned by parents after administering medication.

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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 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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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

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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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