Little Rascals Day Nursery (Station Rd)

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 17/06/2003 Inspector Name Stephanie Joy Bennett

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Little Rascals Day Nursery (Station Rd) Setting Address Station Road, Wellgarth Crossgates, Leeds West Yorkshire LS15 7JY

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The partnership of Angela & Kenneth Mountain

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Angela & Kenneth Mountain Address Station Road, Wellgarth Crossgates Leeds West Yorkshire LS15 7JY

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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 in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and that the nursery education for funded three and four year old children is of an acceptable quality. Inspection of nursery education also identifies strengths and weaknesses so that providers can improve the quality of educational provision and help children to achieve the early learning goals (elgs) by the end of the Foundation Stage. This inspection report must be made available to all parents. If the setting has been inspected previously, an action plan will have been drawn up to tackle issues identified. This inspection, therefore, must also assess what progress has been made in the implementation of this plan.

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Information about the setting

Little Rascals Day Nursery opened in March 1997. It operates from a converted school building, located in the local community of Crossgates, near Leeds. The nursery serves families within the local area. There are currently 90 children from three months to five years on roll. This includes 22 funded three year olds and 17 funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. Two children have special educational needs and none at present speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week all year round, from 07:30 to 18:00 hours. A total of 28 part time/full time staff work with the children, of these; one is a qualified supernumerary manager, four are qualified deputy/senior nursery nurses, who also work directly with the children, along with an additional thirteen who have early years qualifications. Ten staff are currently on NVQ 2 and 3 training programmes. The nursery is soon to begin the Leeds Quality Assurance Scheme.

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How good is the Day Care?

Little Rascals Day Nursery at Station Road, provides good quality care overall for children aged 0-5 years. The nursery is welcoming and well organised to provide an environment, which promotes a calm atmosphere for children to learn and develop, and is warm and friendly for parents and visitors. The premises are secure, and space and resources are very well organised, giving children many opportunities to develop their independence skills, and to explore and investigate. Staff give high priority to ensure that children are safe both inside and outside the

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 building, most health and safety procedures are fully implemented, however, the procedure for changing children is not always followed effectively, to ensure that children are free from any health risks. Records regarding the children's safety and individual needs are very well maintained. A wide range of interesting and well planned activities are available in all rooms, which promote all areas of learning. Staff implement the equal opportunities policy effectively, and there is a good range of equipment, which promotes positive images of our diverse society. Children with special educational needs are very well supported by qualified and committed staff. Staff interact very well with the children. They promote the children's learning by

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How good is the Day Care?

providing opportunities for children to think, develop mathematical language, and use their imaginations. The children are confident and settled, and they behave well. Staff set clear and positive boundaries, and children's achievements are consistently praised and valued. An excellent range of nutritious meals and snacks are provided each day. Partnership with parents is good. They are kept well informed of their child's learning and development, and are able to be involved in most aspects of nursery. Policies and procedures are shared in many ways, staff develop good relationships through daily communication.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the providers agreed to improve the safe arrival and collection procedure by recording arrival and departure times of the children. This is now implemented in a message book kept in each room, which also includes recording any circumstances which may have changed regarding the arrangements for collecting children. The nursery were also asked to provide a policy for the provision of foods. This has now been developed, and is shared with parents in the parents handbook, and displayed in the nursery. The providers were asked to show evidence of vehicle insurance, this was available today. The nursery have recently enrolled on the Leeds Quality Assurance Scheme.

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What is being done well?

• The nursery is very well organised, and excellent use is made of space and resources to enable children to develop their independence skills, and explore and investigate.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • Staff interact and relate very well to the children. They are confident and are able to ask questions, develop mathematical language and use their imaginations. • Staff plan very well in all rooms to ensure that children have opportunities to develop in all areas of learning. • Children with special educational needs are well cared for, and supported in the planning for individual needs. • Staff have very good regard to children's dietary needs. Drinks are readily available at all times, and an excellent range of healthy meals and snacks are provided. • Staff are effectively deployed, and have a high regard to children's safety and security both indoors and outdoors, including the keeping of well maintained

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What is being done well?

records. • Staff have a positive approach to managing behaviour, resulting in a calm atmosphere, where children are well occupied, and show a clear understanding of boundaries set. • Parents are very involved in nursery life, including having their own parents committee. They are kept well informed of their child's progress and development.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

In "Blue room", for children aged 3-4 years, the following activity was observed to be outstanding.(this is one example of many) A child aged 4 years is in the construction area playing with the large Meccano set. She arranges pieces on a table, and has a group of children who are helping her, she is organising the activity. I ask her what she is doing. "I'm making a plan of the room" she replies, she goes on to tell me, what each piece represents. "the red pieces are the bays, the blue pieces are the chairs, and the wheels are lights", she says. The staff member, cordons off the area, so the children do not tidy it away before lunch, so she is able to do more work on her project in the afternoon session.

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What needs to be improved?

• the implementation of changing procedures, to ensure children's exposure to health risks are reduced. • CRB checks for all staff.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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 1 Ensure that CRB checks are completed on all staff. 7 Make sure that changing procedures are fully implemented to reduce any potential health risks.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

Little Rascals Nursery, Station Road offers very good quality education. Children are enthusiastic and motivated to learn through a wide choice of activities, this enables them to make very good progress towards the Early Learning Goals in most area's of learning. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff have a very good understanding of the foundation stage and this enables them to plan and assess children's progress effectively. There are systems in place to support children with Special Educational Needs(SEN). Interaction between adults and children is very good, staff are involved with children in both planned and spontaneous activities, however children do not attempt to use information technology to support their learning. Staff manage the children's behaviour well, the children have very good self control and behave well. Leadership and management is well structured, good quality child care practice and

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How effective is the nursery education?

professional development are provided through an effective training programme. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents are well informed about the nursery, the curriculum and their children's progress. They are encouraged to contribute ideas and participate in nursery events.

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What is being done well?

• Children's personal independence skills are very well developed, children are happy and secure and speak with confidence to adults and their peers. • Children listen well, they are enthusiastic and well motivated to learn. They are able to express their own thoughts and ideas. They are given time to solve problems and staff encourage them to make their own decisions. • The staff team are well motivated, they create a very good learning environment for the children. • Good leadership provides a good approach to early years values and principles. The management ensures continual improvement through staff training and development.

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What needs to be improved?

• Opportunities for the children to develop their skills in information technology. • Opportunities for the children to use equipment for climbing.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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What has improved since the last 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident and enthusiastic learners. Their behaviour is very good and their self control is extremely well developed.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Most children speak confidently and clearly with adults and their peers, they are developing good skills in reading and writing through good use of books and mark making equipment. They are able to recognise familiar letters and older and more able children are able to form simple words and write their name.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are able to recognise shape, size and position. Most children can count to ten, some older children count to twenty. Children are developing a good understanding of addition and subtraction.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children are able to build and construct using a range of materials. They are developing a good understanding of cultures and beliefs other than their own. More opportunities could be made available for the children to develop skills in information technology.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children have good co-ordination when using smaller items of equipment, and have a good sense of space, they manoeuvre equipment well. However, more opportunities could be made to enable the children to develop skills in climbing. Children are developing a good awareness of keeping healthy.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children use their imagination well, most are confident and enthusiastic singers and are able to repeat levels of sound pitches with good control.

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Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following: • Points for consideration. • Provide more opportunities for the children to develop their skills with information and communication technology. • Provide opportunities for the children to develop skills in climbing. The provider must draw up an action plan within 40 working days of receipt of this report showing how the key issues detailed above will be addressed. The action plan must be made available to all parents and to the Local Authority if required. An evaluation of the action taken will form part of the next inspection of funded nursery education.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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