Shepherd Lodge Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 31/01/2005 Inspector Name Rod Green

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Shepherd Lodge Day Nursery Setting Address 166 St. Annes Road East Lytham St. Annes Lancashire FY8 3HP

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Helen Turpie and Lisa Taylor Address Shepherd Lodge Day Nursery 166 St. Annes Road East Lytham St. Annes Lancashire FY8 3HP

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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

Shepherd Lodge Day Nursery opened in October 1992. It operates from five main rooms. It is situated in a residential area of Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire. A maximum of 50 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08:00 to 17:30. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 79 children from birth to under 8 years on roll. Of these 27 children receive funding for nursery education. The nursery currently supports a number of children with special needs. The nursery employs 16 staff. Twelve of the staff, including the proprietor, hold appropriate early years qualifications. Four staff are working towards a qualification.

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How good is the Day Care?

Shepherds Lodge Day Nursery provides good care for children. There is a good range of toys and equipment available. All rooms are well set out to provide for a variety of age appropriate activities to ensure children are well occupied and interested. There is a very comprehensive operational plan in place including well written policies. All required documentation is in place, but procedures for showing when staff and visitors are present are inadequate. Safety is a high priority with staff conducting daily risk assessments to ensure any possible harm to children is minimised. There is an emergency evacuation procedure in place. There is a very good health and hygiene policy in place. Children are encouraged to wash hands and learn about good hygiene practices. There is a good procedure in place for administering medication and most staff are qualified in first aid. There is good access to drinking water and the menus show a good

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How good is the Day Care?

understanding of healthy eating ensuring children receive a balanced diet. Resources reflecting diversity are good. The staff have knowledge and practical experience of working with children with special needs and ensuring all children are included. Knowledge of child protection procedures is good with all staff having received training. Behaviour is managed well helping children understand right from wrong. There are very comprehensive plans of activities addressing all developmental areas. A variety of activities are provided ensuring all children are given the opportunity to reach their

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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 potential. Relationships with parents are good. There are good lines of communication between staff and parents including newsletters, a notice board, and daily discussions. This helps ensure that children are cared for consistently and with regard to their individual needs.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection, the provider agreed to ensure public liability insurance was in place and to devise a more appropriate complaints procedure. All insurances are now in place and the complaints procedure now contains the name and address of the regulator and is displayed on the parents notice board. These actions have helped to improve the quality of care offered to the children.

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What is being done well?

• There is a comprehensive operational plan which includes good policies and procedures to help inform parents and staff regarding the running of the facility and to ensure consistency is maintained in the care of children. • The rooms are well set out into areas for different age appropriate activities. These areas are well equipped with a good range of toys and equipment ensuring children have many resources to help promote creative and imaginative play. All base rooms have areas for messy play where children have access to art and craft activities, sand, water, and tables of shaving foam to play in. • There is a very good balance of structured activities and free play. Activities work to themes such as food or festivals such as Chinese New Year. All ages of children work to these themes and children experience activities such as printing, using fruit and vegetables. The older children enjoy helping to make

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What is being done well?

a Chinese dragon and were looking forward to having some Chinese food. • Safety is a high priority with a comprehensive risk assessment procedure in place and daily assessments are done to ensure that any risk to children is minimised. • Good lines of communication with parents are in place with a newsletters, a well sited notice board, and daily discussions, as well as access to their children's developmental records at any time. Feedback is requested from parents in questionnaires and most recently parents have been asked to vote for a staff member of the month which has brought some very positive feedback. All of these methods help ensure that parents are kept well informed of their child's development and that children receive consistent care in accordance with their individual needs. • Mealtimes are particularly pleasant with children helping to set out tables with tablecloths and small pots of flowers. The cook is a trained chef and the

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What is being done well?

menus showed a good understanding of healthy eating ensuring that children receive a nutritious and balanced diet.

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• the procedures for ensuring that registration arrangements show when staff and visitors are present.

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

There have been no previous complaints to report since 1st April 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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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Ensure that registration arrangements show when staff and visitors are present.

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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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