Hemsley House Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 04/09/2003 Inspector Name Virginia Cooper

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Hemsley House Baby Unit Setting Address 7 Terrace Road Maidstone Kent ME16 8HU

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Hemsley House Childcare LTD Address 45 Oxenden Wood Road Orpington Kent BR6 6HP

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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

Martin Walker is the new proprietor of Hemsley House Baby Unit, which is an established nursery first registered in 1984. Martin took control of the nursery in 2003. The nursery provides full day care, five days a week all year round for children up to two years old. It operates from a large Victorian house with lots of character located near Maidstone town centre. There is a self-contained flat on the top floor that is presently unoccupied. There are currently 31 children on roll, all under two years old. Two floors of the house are used to care for children. Generally the younger children are looked after upstairs, and when they become more mobile they are cared for downstairs. One room upstairs is used solely for sleeping children, and another for nappy changing. There are rooms available on both floors for messy activities and carpeted, comfortable playrooms. There are designated dining areas, well equipped with high

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Information about the setting

chairs and nursery sized furniture. All children use the garden regularly. The garden is fully enclosed with a paved and grassed area. Most children attend on a full time basis. Some children attend on a part time basis but for full days. When children become two they usually transfer to the toddler unit located just up the road. The staff are well qualified and regularly update their training.

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How good is the Day Care?

Hemsley House Baby Unit provides satisfactory care for the children.

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How good is the Day Care?

The accommodation is well presented and welcoming. Staff are well qualified and behave professionally.

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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 The youngest babies are generally cared for upstairs and when they become more mobile they move downstairs. Several rooms on each floor are used, children are grouped according to their stage of development. There is a large garden available that is used regularly for outside play. The staff are safety conscious and all safety equipment is in place. Staff are skilled at nurturing the babies' emotional development. They appreciate the importance of considering babies individual routines, they often sit and nurse the babies and ensure they are comfortable. Babies have consistent carers and are clearly attached to them and feel secure. However there are insufficient opportunities for children to choose activities for themselves and to investigate and explore with minimal adult intervention.

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How good is the Day Care?

Parents are provided with lots of information about the nursery. The policies and procedures are presently being reviewed and amended to reflect current practice. Staff exchange information with parents via a contact book, they also record developmental milestones and achievements and regularly undertake observations. Parents are able to access these records at any time. The new proprietor arranges open evenings for parents where they are able to express what is important to them. He is exploring with the staff new ways to ensure parents are able to meet one another and take an active role in their child's care and learning. A website is being developed as part of this initiative.

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What is being done well?

• Staff nurture babies emotional development and give them lots of one to one attention. • Staff appreciate the importance of considering babies individual needs and routines. • Parents are provided with lots of information about the nursery and their children's development and achievements. • The proprietor and staff are exploring new ways of ensuring parents are able to take an active role in their child's care and learning. • Staff are safety conscious and all safety equipment is in place.

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What needs to be improved?

• the deployment of staff with reference to their vulnerability; • the opportunities provided for children to choose their own activities, and 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 investigate and explore with minimal adult intervention; • the regular reviewing and amendment to policies and procedures to reflect current practice.

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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 3 provide children with more opportunities to undertake activities they can choose for themselves. 3 encourage children to undertake more activities that allow them to explore and investigate. 6 ensure the procedure for recording accidents enables these records to be easily analysed. 13 ensure that staff deployment considers staff vulnerability. 14 ensure that policies and procedures are reviewed regularly and amended as necessary to reflect current practice.

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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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