Smartypants Exclusive Childcare

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 01/03/2005 Inspector Name Wendy Fitton

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Smartypants Exclusive Childcare Setting Address 35 - 37 Romney Street Nelson Lancashire BB9 0DD

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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

Smartypants Exclusive Childcare Nursery is privately owned and has been registered since 1999. It is situated in two converted properties on Romney Street in Nelson, Lancashire, close to the town centre and the M65 network. Full day care is provided for a maximum of 25 children from birth to eight years. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 18:00 all year apart from Bank Holidays. School age children are part of the registration, attending before and after school and during the school holidays. Transport facilities are available if required. Children have access to both floors of the premises this includes, two play areas for children aged from birth up to two years located on the ground floor, two play areas and a conservatory for children aged from two years up to five years, on the ground floor and an upstairs facility for the school aged children. Children from three years up to five years who are in receipt of nursery education funding also use this area.

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Information about the setting

Each area has suitable toilet and changing facilities. There are staff facilities, a kitchen and an office. There is access to a newly developed outdoor area, this suitably enclosed and caters for the varying ages of the children attending. There are nine staff that work directly with the children and all have relevant childcare qualifications at Level's 2 and 3. The owner is the manager and a member of staff is employed as a deputy. One member of staff is employed to work directly with the school age children. There are currently 14 children in receipt of Early Years Funding. The nursery also supports children with special needs. The local Sure Start, Early Years and Childcare Services support staff with planning for the Early years Curriculum requirements.

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How good is the Day Care?

Smartypants Exclusive Childcare Nursery provides good quality care for children. All the staff are qualified practitioners, thus ensuring childcare practices are up to date. Most organisational policies and procedures are in place. There are good staff ratios, enabling staff to work directly with the children, helping them feel secure and confident. The physical environment is warm and welcoming, space is organised to meet the varying ages and stages of the children. Equipment, furniture and toys

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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 create an accessible and stimulating environment, promoting all areas of development. All safety aspects are in place and children are not exposed to any hazards. There are effective security systems to keep staff and children safe. There are clear health, hygiene and emergency procedures and positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection. Management have carried out training for working with children with special needs, appropriate steps are taken to promote the welfare and the development of children. Children have access to a wide range of activities and experiences promoting their learning in all areas. There are clear routines helping children to become confident. Children are grouped according to their needs and positively supported by staff to meet their developmental milestones. All the children have equal access to all the

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How good is the Day Care?

facilities. Activities ensure inclusion and recognition of children's individual needs. Staff work consistently in managing behaviour, remaining positive and calm, and helping children to feel good about themselves. There are positive relationships with parents, effective communication on a daily basis, ensures appropriate care is provided for the children. Parents have access to organisational information and are kept up to date with their child's development and progress.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection it was agreed that policies and procedures were to be improved, that staff qualification certificates are made available and that any recommendations from Environmental Health are met. Information in respect of satisfactory Environmental health reports and staff qualifications are available. A visitors book, signed consent for emergency medical attention, incident records, and a brief operational plan has been developed. The provider has also extended the behaviour management policy to include bullying, the complaints procedure now includes the contact details for Ofsted and the child protection procedure includes allegations made against staff. Due to the above actions the safety, care and welfare of children are enhanced.

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What is being done well?

• All the staff are qualified practitioners. During the inspection there were eight members of staff working directly with the children and they were able to spend time with individual children and worked in very small groups in order to meet individual needs and ensure children felt secure and comfortable. • Children have access to all types of learning activities, this includes access to creative/messy, role play, books, construction, small world, computers and outdoor play. There is photographic evidence showing children in various types of play and activities, both inside and outside. Staff positively support and encourage the children, extending their language, encouraging them in

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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 independence, by allowing them to clean tables, tidy away toys and helping to serve the snacks. • The physical environment is very homely, as it is a conversion of two domestic premises, with some of the home features still in place, so that children feel relaxed and secure. There is an excellent outdoor area, divided into three sections, to meet the needs of the varying ages of children on roll. There are safety surfaces, ramps, adventure play equipment, all brightly coloured and attractive for the children. • There are clear health and hygiene procedures, baby’s hands are washed before their lunch and the children are encouraged to brush their teeth. Each child has individual bedding, which is laundered weekly. Accident, medication and emergency procedures are detailed with signatures from parents. All

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What is being done well?

staff have up to date First Aid training certificates. • Parents have access to all information about their child, there are individual care sheets completed in the baby unit and sent home with parents, each child has a development file, this holds progress and observation records and children's art work. A welcome brochure is given to parents at registration, this gives information about the organisation.

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What needs to be improved?

• the Special Needs policy • the procedures in relation to staff records and the operational plan.

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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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WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE 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

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Develop procedures in relation to staff records and the operational plan 10 Update the Special Needs policy to comply with current legislation

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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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