Conkers Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 20/04/2004 Inspector Name Joan, Patricia Flowers

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Conkers Nursery Setting Address Dewhurst Road Langho Blackburn Lancashire BB6 8AF

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Home from Home Childcare Ltd 4228548

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Home from Home Childcare Ltd Address 5 Lambert Close Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE13 1PR

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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

Conkers day nursery has been in existence since March 2001 with the current owners, Home From Home Childcare Limited, assuming responsibility in October 2002. The nursery is located in a rural area known as Langho in the Ribble Valley, a village not far by car from the city of Blackburn and also M6 motorway links via the A59. The premises is a modern, purpose designed detached facility, built on two levels. The ground floor accommodates children under three years of age with pre-school children and school aged children catered for upstairs. The children are grouped according to age throughout the nursery with there being a baby unit for the youngest children under 2 years of age. Kitchen and toilet facilities serve the needs of the establishment. and meet statutory requirements. A fully enclosed outdoor play area is available with both hard and soft play surfaces. There are fixed items of play equipment outside.

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Information about the setting

Childcare is offered to children aged from birth to 8 years within the registered numbers and according to available spaces. Older children up to age 11 years may also attend. The nursery is open weekdays between 07:30 and 18:00 all year excepting public/bank holidays. Full time and sessional day care is available and there is an Out of School service offered in term times before and after school as well as during school holiday periods.

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Information about the setting

The staff team consists of one child care qualified supernumerary manager, a deputy and 14 members of staff, the majority of whom are either qualified or relevantly trained in child care. There are also employed, dedicated catering staff who freshly prepare each day the meals and snacks offered to the children. The setting provides funded nursery education places for eligible three and four year old children. There are 72 children on roll non of whom speak English as an additional language. One child attends who has an identified special need. There are two rabbits and one hamster kept as pets.

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How good is the Day Care?

Home From Home Child Care Limited at Conkers Day Nursery provide satisfactory care for children. The organisation of the nursery is well planned with children able to access freely all

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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 areas within their designated play and learning environment. Safety within the nursery environment is in most parts effective with adjustment required in two key areas together with a review of the way attendance registers are completed. Attention is paid to encouraging children's understanding of good hygiene practices. Toileting facilities however for older children does not give appropriate privacy for this age group. Staff are effective in their cleaning routines to ensure cross infection is minimised. The meeting of children's individual dietary needs is well applied by informed staff and is incorporated into the planned daily menus. The setting offers children good ranges of toys, equipment and activities to suit all ages and stages of development. Play resources can be easily accessed by them

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How good is the Day Care?

out of choice. Furniture is age appropriate and meets the needs of all ages attending. Staff get on well with children, supporting them in their play by talking, listening, playing and encouraging them to interact imaginatively and co-operatively. They offer plenty of praise and use positive methods to encourage and explain good behaviour and to help children develop a sense of right and wrong. Relationships with parents are fostered well, with staff offering a friendly welcome and encouraging partnerships through providing generally clear information in both verbal and written form. Staff are well informed about the children's needs by up-dating regularly all individual children's written details. There are however no written consents obtained from parents for the seeking of any necessary emergency treatment or advice. Staff work well together as a team, with commitment shown by them to attaining further child care knowledge through training.

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What is being done well?

• Partnership with parents/carers is positively enhanced by the friendly and welcoming staff team. The range of information that is provided for them and which is readily available throughout the nursery is informative. Parents views are sought and suggestions for improvement are welcomed by nursery management. • The provision for babies and children under two years is good. Staff give good attention to meeting babies' individual needs for eating and sleeping and to the exchange of information with parents. They plan activities well to give babies and toddlers interesting experiences which enhance their development. • Balanced healthy meals and snacks are offered which meet children's nutritional and special dietary needs in a social setting. Drinking water is provided routinely throughout the day, with the older pre-school age children and up-wards able to help themselves to drinking water provided from a

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What is being done well?

water dispenser. Care is taken in planning the menu to ensure sugar intake is minimised and together with tooth brushing contributes to children's oral health.

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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 • The range and quality of activities provided for the children are well planned by staff and informed by individual development charts which helps children develop to their potential. Play and learning resources are age appropriate and offer challenge and are fun. As a result children learn through play, are settled and happy and can access all their play and learning activities easily out of choice alongside their peer group.

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What needs to be improved?

• the acurate marking of registers • the arrangements made for older children's toileting facilities • the safety of the outdoor play area • compliance with fire safety regulations • the obtaining of all necessary consents from parents • the wording of the child protection policy.

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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 2 Maintain accurate records of the arrival and departure of children 4 Consider how the toileting needs of older children can be better accommodated upstairs. 6 Ensure that natural hazards such as low branches and tree stumps in the outdoor area are managed to ensure children’s safety. 6 Ensure that account is taken of fire safety recommendations made in respect to the first floor fire escape. 7 Ensure that written consent is obtained from parents for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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 13 Review the wording of the child protection policy/procedure in line with up to date guidance.

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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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