Offerton Farm Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 28/04/2004 Inspector Name Rebecca Hadley

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Out of School Day Care, Full Day Care Setting Name Offerton Farm Nursery Group Setting Address Offerton Farm Hindlip Farm Worcester Worcs WR3 8SX

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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

Offerton Farm Nursery Group opened in 1996. It operates from 13 rooms in converted farm buildings in a rural location between Droitwich and Worcester. The nursery serves the surrounding areas. There are currently 195 children under 8 years on roll. This includes 40 funded three-year-olds and 52 funded four-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language. The group opens 5 days a week for 48 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 08.00 to 17.45. There are 14 full time and 10 part time staff who work with the children. Eight staff have early years qualifications to NVQ Level 2 or 3. There are currently seven staff working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from a teacher / mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Offerton Farm Nursery provides satisfactory care for children. An in-depth induction process is in place and staff are actively encouraged to appraise each other as well as themselves. Space is used effectively and children are grouped within their peer groups. However, the deployment of staff does not ensure appropriate ratios to meet the needs of all children. The nursery is reasonably well maintained although at times the temperature in some areas was cool. Acceptable procedures are in place to ensure that equipment and toys are regularly cleaned. All documentation required in the National Standards is in place, however, not always accurately maintained. Evacuation procedures are in place and all staff are aware of them although staff awareness of some safety issues is poor. Staff actively promote good hygiene and procedures are in place to protect children from illness and infection. Meals and snacks are healthy and nutritious and all dietary requirements are recognised and

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How good is the Day Care?

met appropriately, however, procedures for feeding babies and methods for transporting cooked meals are not always satisfactory. Most children's needs are met appropriately and there are good procedures in place for identifying special needs, however, children do not always have access to toys which depict positive

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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 images. The manager has an excellent knowledge of her role in protecting children although staff's knowledge is limited. Procedures are in place for recording children's development but not all staff are aware of them. The level of interaction with children varies throughout the nursery and some staff do not respond appropriately to children's needs. There is limited provision in some areas for children to develop imaginative play and incomplete or broken toys lead to children becoming frustrated. Methods for managing children's behaviour are age appropriate and consistent. The nursery works in partnership with parents and parents views are valued.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Not applicable, as there were no actions raised at the previous inspection.

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What is being done well?

• There are clear procedures in place for appointing staff which include visits to the nursery to work for a short period with children and staff before a position is offered. • Children have good opportunities to experience outdoor activities and to develop their knowledge of the outside world. • Staff are pro-active in promoting good hygiene both within the nursery and when outside visiting the animals on the farm • There are effective procedures in place within the nursery for identifying specific needs. Staff work closely with parents and the area Senco to ensure that children's needs are appropriately met. • There are effective procedures in place to ensure that children are cared for according to parents wishes. Parents' views on the setting are regularly sought and acted on wherever possible.

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What needs to be improved?

• staff deployment to ensure that ratios are maintained at all times • the registration system to show all children and adults on the premises at any time • staff's awareness of the needs of all children in their group • procedures to ensure that children have access to suitable toys and equipment and regular opportunities to develop imaginative play • the temperature within the nursery to ensure that it is adequately maintained at all times • staff awareness of issues relating to safety including the procedures to ensure that the premises are safe and secure at all times and procedures to

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What needs to be improved?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 ensure the safety of sleeping children • procedures to ensure that accident and medication records are signed by parents • procedures for feeding babies appropriately and for transporting food safely • children's access to toys and activities which promote positive images so that they can explore issues of diversity through play • staff's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues

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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 2 Develop a registration system which effectively shows numbers of children and adults on the premises at any one time and clearly shows actual times of arrival and departure. 25/06/2004

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

6 Devise and implement an action plan to show how premises will be made secure at all times. 25/06/2004

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

6 Devise and implement an action plan to show how sleeping children will be closely monitored to ensure their safety at all times. 25/06/2004

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

6 Devise and implement an action plan to demonstrate how staff’s general awareness of safety issues will be raised. 25/06/2004

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

13 Devise and implement an action plan to demonstrate how staff’s knowledge and understanding of child protection issues will be raised. 25/06/2004

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

2 Develop and implement an action plan to show how staff ratios and deployment of staff will meet the needs of the children within the constraints of the 25/06/2004

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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 building layout.

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 3 Raise staff awareness of how to recognise and respond to children’s needs in an appropriate manner. 3 Provide adequate resources and opportunities throughout the nursery for children to develop their imaginative play. 4 Ensure that temperatures throughout the nursery are adequately maintained at all times. 7 Ensure that all entries in the accident and medication records are signed by parents. 9 Ensure that children have access to appropriate toys and activities which promote positive images and depict diversity.

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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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