Apple Tree Day Care Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 17/11/2003 Inspector Name Lynn Clements

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Apple Tree Day Care Nursery Setting Address 304 Cressing Road Braintree Essex CM7 3PG

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Kalestead Ltd (Braintree) Address 304 Cressing Road Braintree Essex CM7 3PG

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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

Apple tree Day-care Nursery is registered to provide care for 48 children this includes under fives during the day and 12 children who attend the after school club. The group has been registered since 1997. It operates from a converted bungalow comprising of five classrooms, kitchen, dinning room, office and a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The nursery serves the local factory and community. There are currently 102 children on roll. This includes 17 funded three year olds and 14 funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports a small number of children with special educational needs. The nursery has sound strategies in place to support children with English as an additional language. The nursery opens five days a week during term times. Sessions for the nursery are from 07:45 hrs until 16:45 hrs and the after school club provides care from 15:00 hrs

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Information about the setting

until 18:00 hrs. Fifteen members of staff work with the children. Fourteen hold relevant early years qualifications and the remaining staff are all working towards recognised qualifications. The setting works closely with the local Early Years Child Care Partnership and holds Pre-school Learning Alliance Accreditation. The group also work closely with the Ethnic Minorities Services and the local Area Special Educational Needs Officer.

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How good is the Day Care?

Apple Tree Day Care Nursery provides good quality care for children. Good staffing levels in place and effective use of key workers provides children with a secure and reassuring environment. Relevant training has been accessed to meet requirements and staff hold early years qualifications. The setting is warm and welcomng and resources are child accessible. Attention to visual aspects such as displays ensures a bright, friendly environment for children and their families. There is a wide range of interesting resources, child height furniture and equipment. Record's policies and procedures are in place however the child protection and behaviour management policy require updating in light of changes made to the national care standards. All documentation is securely stored.

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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 All staff have a consistent approach to safety and risk assessment which help to keep children safe. Staff promote children's awareness of hygiene through daily routines, which include washing their hands. Dietary requirements are understood by all staff and menus are planned accordingly. Visual displays around the setting provide children with positive images of cultural diversity and gender issues. Staff actively support children with special educational needs and English as an additional language. There are effective policies and procedures in place regarding child protection issues. Children and adults relate well to each other and behaviour is good. Children are confident to approach adults and initiate conversations. Children belong to key worker groups which enables staff to plan for their individual needs effectively.

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How good is the Day Care?

Partnership with parents is good. Parents and staff share information on a regular basis. The setting provides regular newsletters and parents evenings to ensure families are kept fully informed about the provision.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the following actions were raised, record fire drill practices in fire log book and update procedures as necessary. Provide an incident record book. Carry out daily risk assessments of the outside play area to ensure there are no hazards to children and provide sand pit covers. Finally ensure staff working with three and four year old funded children receive foundation stage training to help children make progress towards the early learning goals. All actions have been met. Fire log book is in place and all fire drills and fire safety checks are recorded. There is now an incident book in place however a recommendation will be carried forward from this inspection to ensure confidentiality is assured. There outside play area is now safe for children to use, daily risk assessments are carried out and the provider has installed CCTV to ensure it remains so. Staff working with funded children have accessed relevant foundation

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What has improved since the last inspection?

stage training and plans are in place and foundation stage stepping stones used which enables children to make progress towards the early learning goals.

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What is being done well?

• Effective key worker groups enable staff to plan for children's individual learning needs promoting their independence and confidence to try new things • Play opportunities and activities provided for children build on what they already know and extends their imagination and investigative skills • Good support for children with special educational needs and children with English as an additional language enables all children to feel included • Partnership with parents is good and clear communications ensure parents are kept fully informed of their children's progress

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Apple Tree Day Care Nursery has extremely effective systems in place for supporting children with special education needs. Staff work closely with parents and other professional's to provide an inclusive multi sensory environment enabling children who have particular difficulties to take part in learning effectively. Focus is directed at increasing children's independence thereby promoting their confidence and self esteem helping them to make good progress in all areas of the early years curriculum. Detailed observations by staff on all children attending the setting ensures that any concerns are noticed and raised early with parents which directly benefits the child. (Standard 10)

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What needs to be improved?

• ensure confidentiality is maintained in the incident book • update child protection policy to include information for students and volunteers regarding allegations of abuse • update the behaviour policy to include information on bullying • ensure all parental signatures are gained in the accident record book

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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 7 ensure all parental signatures are obtained in the accident record book 11 ensure confidentiality is maintained in the incident record book 11 update behaviour management policy to include bullying as reflected in the National Care Standards 13 update child protection policy to include information regarding allegations of abuse made against students or volunteers

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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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