Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bedford Elstow

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 12/05/2004 Inspector Name Anne Schurek

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name JUST LEARNING NURSERY Setting Address Progress Park Elstow Bedford Bedfordshire MK42 9XE

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Just Learning Ltd Address 45 High Street West Malling Kent ME19 6QH

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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

Just Learning Ltd. opened in 1996 and now operates 60 nurseries in Great Britain. The Bedford site opened in 2002 and provides a 112 place day nursery for children aged from six weeks to five years. The nursery occupies purpose built single storey premises on the edge of an industrial estate to the south of Bedford town, with easy access from the A6. The facility is open throughout the year, with the exception of public holidays, from 07:30 to 18:00, Monday to Friday. The nursery serves the needs of working parents who live or travel to work in the locality. The nursery provides designated rooms for specific age groups; comprising of six rooms for children aged under two years, two rooms for the two to three year olds and two further rooms for children aged three to five years. There is a flexible multi-purpose reception area for alternative activities. Staff, kitchen and laundry facilities are grouped together away from the children's areas.

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Information about the setting

Seventeen staff work with the children. Of these, eleven hold suitable qualifications in child care, with six members undergoing training. There are 79 children currently on roll, with 11 three year olds and one four year old in receipt of Government funding for nursery education. There are currently no children who have been identified as having special educational needs or for whom English is an additional language. The setting has recently received support from the Early Years Advisory teacher. Overnight care is not provided.

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How good is the Day Care?

Just Learning Nursery provides satisfactory care for children. The nursery is a safe and well maintained environment both inside and outside. The staff will further develop this by promoting the completion of daily registers by parents and by staff developing their awareness of emergency evacuation procedures. The nursery staff are continually improving their interaction with children to provide them with a stimulating and sufficiently challenging environment. New toys and equipment have been purchased to aid children's holistic development. Staff are continually improving the organisation of the toys and deployment of staff to support children's learning and play.

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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 Through daily routines, children of varying ages learn about their personal hygiene. Staff are aware of parent's preferences for food and drink and children's dietary requirements by obtaining written information from parents and ensuring their wishes are respected. The staff are continually developing positive behaviour management strategies through discussion with parents and implementing the nursery policies and procedures. This will be further developed through the induction process and ongoing staff training. The nursery staff have developed a positive working relationship with parents. Information is shared with parents in a number of ways about how their children are progressing. This includes daily written and verbal exchange of information, parents evenings and notice boards. In addition the management team, the children's key

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How good is the Day Care?

workers are available to speak to parents in confidential surroundings at their request. The staff are continually developing their knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, procedures and guidance. This will be further developed by updated documentation and staff training. Documentation relating to individual children's personal information attending the nursery is securely stored in the main office.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery has made major improvements since their last inspection. A number of areas for development where actioned covering the National Standards 1 to 14. The nursery has appointed a new manager since the last inspection who has worked intensly with staff to ensure that continual improvements are being made to meet the care provided.

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What is being done well?

• The nursery provides a safe and maintained environment for children; • The nursery has purchased new toys and equipment to aid children's holistic development; • Staff are continually improving their interaction with children to provide them with a stimulating and sufficiently challenging environment; • Staff are continually improving the organisation of toys and staff deployment to support children's learning and play; • The staff have developed a positive working relationship with parents by exchanging written and verbal information about how their children are progressing; • The nursery has introduced parents evenings to enable parents to visit the nursery and talk directly to staff about play and learning opportunities offered

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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 to their children.

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What needs to be improved?

• registers of children's daily attendance must be maintained at all times • staff must undertake induction training; • staff are to be made familiar with the initiation of an emergency evacuation procedure; • staff's awareness and understanding of effective ways to manage children's behaviour, taking into account their ages and stages of development, must be developed. • There are also three non regulatory actions currently in place from a previous Ofsted inspection with regard to staff deployment, interaction with children and knowledge of child protection procedures. These require action to be taken by September 2004.

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

Std Action Date 3 demonstrate how resources are organised so that they are readily available to children and staff are deployed to support children’s play and learning 14/09/2004

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

5 demonstrate how staff interaction will be monitored and children are valued and listened too. 14/09/2004

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

13 develop staff's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues 14/09/2004

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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 Std Recommendation 11 develop staff's awareness and understanding of effective ways to manage children's behaviour, taking into account their ages and stages of development 2 ensure that registers of the children’s daily attendance are maintained at all times 2 make sure that all staff undertake induction training 6 make sure that all staff are familiar with initiating an emergency evacuation procedure

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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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