Great Berry Primary School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 03/09/2003 Inspector Name Anne Robertson

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Crystal Day Nursery Setting Address 202 Venner Road Sydenham London SE26 5HT

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Crystal Childcare Limited Address Crystal Day Nursery 202 Venner Road Sydenham London SE26 5HT

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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 in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and that the nursery education for funded three and four year old children is of an acceptable quality. Inspection of nursery education also identifies strengths and weaknesses so that providers can improve the quality of educational provision and help children to achieve the early learning goals (elgs) by the end of the Foundation Stage. This inspection report must be made available to all parents. If the setting has been inspected previously, an action plan will have been drawn up to tackle issues identified. This inspection, therefore, must also assess what progress has been made in the implementation of this plan.

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Information about the setting

Crystal Day Nursery opened in 1988. It operates from four ground floor rooms within a converted domestic house in Sydenham. Crystal nursery serves the local area. There are currently 26 children from 2 to 4 years on roll. This includes 7 funded 3 year olds and 2 funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children with special needs. There are no children with English as an additional language. The group opens five days per week all year round and is open from 08:00 to 18:00 hours. Five full-time and two part-time staff work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. One member of staff is currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. There is also a dance tutor and a French tutor, each employed for one session per week during term-time.

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How good is the Day Care?

Crystal Day Nursery provides good care for children. The organisation of the nursery is underpinned by detailed policies and procedures which staff and parents are made aware of. Improvement is needed to one procedure, but the nursery are in the process of updating all of their documents to ensure they meet with the National Standards. Records are kept up to date, in good order and confidentiality is maintained. Overall the arrangements for promoting health and safety are good. There are some minor improvements required to the premises. Staff gather very useful information from parents about their child to enable them to cater for children's individual needs. A varied, balanced menu is provided which includes fresh food on a daily basis. The nursery has a wide range of toys and equipment suitable for all ages. Activities and resources include those which promote equality of opportunity, although further

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 resources are required. Staff plan activities in advance to ensure all areas of the curriculum are covered. Plans provide children with opportunities to enjoy a variety of activities which enhance their overall development and stimulate their interest. Staff provide good role models for the children. They interact well and offer appropriate support, supervision and encouragement. Good partnership with parents is encouraged. The premises and staff provide a warm, welcoming environment. Parents are provided with comprehensive written information about the nursery and its philosophy. They are kept regularly informed about the nursery activities and their children's progress.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the nursery agreed to carry out eight actions. These included: providing Ofsted with up to date information on staff; some health and safety requirements to the premises and improvements to the record keeping. The nursery had taken positive steps to comply with these actions to enhance the quality of the provision. One of the safety issues, concerning a door which was hazardous, remains a recommendation as the safety measures provided had not been replaced following re-decoration of the room. Following a visit to the premises, subsequent to the last inspection, further actions were made regarding staffing, which the nursery had carried out.

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What is being done well?

• The polices and procedures are comprehensive, well organised and kept up to date with new requirements. These are available for staff and parents to ensure they are aware of the nursery's philosophy and operational procedures. • The nursery gather important information from parents which is recorded on children's enrolment forms. This includes children's likes and dislikes as well as information about their culture, religion and language spoken at home. Using this information, staff then compile a care plan for each child to enable them to meet each child's needs appropriately. • The menus displayed show that the nursery aim to provide a balanced, nutritious diet. Dishes from differing cultures and vegetarian meals are also included on the menus. For example: on the day of inspection the children were served with vegetable curry and rice. • Staff provide a range of stimulating and enjoyable activities. They interact

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What is being done well?

well, asking appropriate questions to extend the children's knowledge. Children receive quality individual attention on occasions and staff praise and encourage them appropriately. • Partnership with parents is good. Useful information about the nursery is displayed for parents in the premises and newsletters and open evenings are provided. Daily sheets are given to them to show their child's routine and activities. Written reports on their child's progress are also given regularly.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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What needs to be improved?

• the written procedures for uncollected children • some health and safety issues • the accessibility of resources • the provision of resources which reflect equality of opportunity.

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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 Compile written procedures for uncollected children. 5 Ensure children can access toys and equipment easily. 6 Make safe the garden by ensuring poisonous plants are not accessible to the children and the fence is repaired. 6 Ensure children cannot gain access to the kitchen. 6 Make safe the door through to the garden room. 9 Provide further resources which reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

Crystals Day Nursery is a warm welcoming environment in which the staff team support children's learning and allow them to make generally good progress towards all the early learning goals (elg). The teaching is generally good. Staff have a developing understanding of the elg's and use these to plan and provide activities around a theme. Individual plans are used to help assess the needs of each child but keyworkers need to ensure that sufficient challenges are provided within these plans to extend learning in all areas. Adults build good relationships with the children and help children to develop confidence and self esteem. There are good levels of interaction at planned activities, however there some missed teaching opportunities in all areas where adults could make better use of interaction to extend the children's learning and help develop thought processes. Children are generally well behaved although in some

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How effective is the nursery education?

cases adults need to use earlier intervention to support children's development of self control. The management and leadership of the nursery Is generally good. The manager works with the proprietor and staff team to assess what the provision needs to do to ensure that all areas of learning are being covered and to evaluate the effectiveness of the education. The nursery's partnership with parents is very good. Parents are provided good quality information about the setting and regular information about their child's progress. They are encouraged to share information and become invloved in their child's learning.

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What is being done well?

• Children are confident and generally well behaved and are developing good levels of personal independence. • Children speak well using language to organise role play games and practice writing skills. • Children are developing a sense of time and place, they are able to describe events and experiences in the past. • Children are confident in using large and small equipment and tools safely and with control. • Adults plan activities to provide children of all abilities with suitable experiences. • The management and leadership positively supports staff to provide a learning environment for children.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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What needs to be improved?

• extend children's learning in mathematical development • develop staff interaction to ensure that all possible situations are used to extend children's learning and develop their thought processes • allow time for children to explore colour texture and shape • ensure children have the time and resources to explore and investigate • develop children's awareness of different cultures and beliefs.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery has made generally good progress since the last inspection. The planning system has been revised and planning covers each area and clearly links to specific learning intentions. Some more work needs to done to ensure that the needs of more able children are being met and to extend the children learning in the area of mathematical development.

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What has improved since the last 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in personal, social and emotional development is generally good. The children are confident, well behaved and have personal independence. The children have good relationships, they play co-operatively sharing and taking turns. There is insufficient time given to allow children to develop an understanding of the needs and views of others.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in communication, language and literacy. They speak clearly and listen well. The children practise writing skills at a variety of activities and planning includes activities that support linking sounds and letters and exploring print and text. Children are not always appropriately challenged in this area.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Significant Weaknesses Children's progress in the area of mathematical development has significant weaknesses. The children take part in some counting activities and counting songs but opportunties for children to use calculation and look at shape, space and measure are limited. The children are not developing thier use of mathematical concepts and language or problem solving skills.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children's knowledge and understanding of the world is generally good. The children have access to computer technology, tools and materials for design. They talk about their families their, experiences and the events in their lives. The children would benefit from more opportunities to explore and investigate objects and materials and living things. There are too few opportunities for children to gain an awareness of the wider world and of different cultures and beliefs.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in the area of physical development, they move confidently and with control in a variety ways using a variety of equipment and with an awareness of space. Activities that give children an awareness of changes in their bodies and the importance of staying healthy are limited.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children's creative development is generally good. They are developing their imagination and are able to communicate ideas and express themselves through music, dance and role-play. Opportunities for children to explore colour, texture, shape and form and to use their senses to respond to variety of situations are limited.

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Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• More opportunities need to be provided for children's learning to be extended in the area of mathematical development. • Review how interaction with children is used to ensure that best use is made of all planned and naturally occuring sitiuations to extend the children's learning. • More opportunities need to be provided for children to learn about different cultures and beliefs.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

The provider must draw up an action plan within 40 working days of receipt of this report showing how the key issues detailed above will be addressed. The action plan must be made available to all parents and to the Local Authority if required. An evaluation of the action taken will form part of the next inspection of funded nursery education.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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