Rocking Horse Nursery (Southport) Limited

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 11/03/2004 Inspector Name Lynne Roberts

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Rocking Horse Nursery Setting Address 35 Norwood Avenue Southport PR9 7EQ

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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

Rocking Horse Nursery was founded in 1988 and registered to the current owners in 2003. It operates from the ground floor of a detached property in Southport. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden. The nursery serves the local area. There are 47 children on roll. This includes 8 funded three year olds and 4 funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions or for full days. There are no children who speak English as an additional language but the nursery supports children with special needs. The Nursery opens for five days a week from Monday to Friday all year round. Opening hours are from 08:00 to 18:00. Seven staff work with the children. All of the staff have early years qualifications to level 3. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Rocking Horse Day Nursery provides satisfactory care for the children. All the staff hold child care qualifications and update their knowledge by attending external training. Some good systems of record keeping and some clear documentation are generally used well but the operational plan is not used effectively to organise the staffing and the risk assessment does not show how risks are minimised. There are good procedures in place to ensure that staff understand the policies and have a consistent approach to their work, such as regular team meetings and induction training. Records of the children's allergies and special diets are clear and the information is used well by staff to promote children's health. Staff work well, in partnership with parents, to provide appropriate support for children with identified special needs. Staff provide a planned range of activities during the course of the day which

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How good is the Day Care?

promote the children's learning in all areas. However, there are times when staff are not working directly with children that their needs in relation to choice and adult support are not successfully met. Toys and equipment are appropriate for 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 abilities of the children but are not all of good quality. Children are keen to communicate with adults and each other. Older children behave very well and show respect for each other. Parents and carers are warmly welcomed by staff and are well informed about their child's care through good informal systems.

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What is being done well?

• Children's work is attractively displayed to provide a visually welcoming environment. • Staff keep a good record of the children's dietary requirements and take heed of the useful information provided by parents about their child's food preferences. • Parents and carers are warmly welcomed by staff and share information about the children on a daily basis. They receive regular newsletters which keep them well informed about the nursery.

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What needs to be improved?

• the use of the floor space, activities and staffing in the two to three year old's room to ensure that they are supported, in the middle of the day, according to their individual needs • the condition of some of the toys and children's access to positive images of culture and disability • the cleaning schedules • the risk assessment to ensure that all risks are included and minimised • procedure to be followed if a parent fails to collect a child.

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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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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

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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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 2 Devise a statement of procedure to be followed if a parent fails to collect a child. 18/03/2004

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Review the deployment of staff and staffing ratios, particularly for the two to three year old children. Take account of the structure of the day and the position of the toilet facilities. 3 Extend the range of activities provided for children aged two to three years, who are not sleeping, in the middle of the day. 4 Check the floor measurements of the playrooms and review the use of space to ensure that it meets the needs of the children. 5 Review the provision of play materials to ensure that the toys are in good condition, include positive images of culture and disability and can be easily accessed by the children. 6 Show in the risk assessment the action taken to minimise the identified risks which include the radiators, the free standing shelves in the toddler room, the transfer of food from the kitchen, children’s access to the bathroom. 7 Review cleaning schedules to ensure they are effectively followed.

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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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