Cudham Church of England Primary School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 15/10/2003 Inspector Name Sylvia June Crawford

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Meadow View Day Nursery Setting Address Westbury Lane Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire MK16 8PS

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Childbase Ltd Address Kingston House, Northampton Road Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire MK16 8NJ

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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

Meadow View Day Nursery is owned and run by Child Base Limited who have a chain of nurseries in the South of England. Meadow View is situated on the outskirts of Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire on a residential estate. Children come from the area and surrounding rural villages. The nursery takes children from six weeks to under five years and is open all year, except public holidays from 07:30 to 18:30. The nursery has 18 three year olds and one four year old in receipt of Nursery Education Funding. There are 13 permanent staff members including a cook. Most are qualified nursery nurses and some modern apprentice trainees. There is a nursery teacher term time only. A French teacher attends some sessions and the children have the opportunity to do music and dance sessions.

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How good is the Day Care?

Meadowview Day Nursery provides good quality care for children. The provision provides a welcoming environment where children are happy and settled. The nursery is based in a purpose built building with four separate age designated base rooms with space being used well. There is a wide range of activities and equipment for both inside and outside use with children being able to access them easily. All staff hold a relevant child care qualification or are working towards one. They are supported in undertaking further training and have built up a successful and effective team where all staff contribute fully. The nursery is organised to meet the children's individual needs. Clear polices and procedures are in place to ensure staff have a consistent approach to their work such as regular staff meetings and training so that practise is reviewed. The deployment of staff is generally satisfactory. Staff give high priority to ensuring children are safe both inside and outside the

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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 nursery. They carry out a written risk assessment each day so that potential hazards are identified. Most aspects of hygiene are good. Staff have a good understanding of child protection issues and their responsibilities. Staff provide a balance between child initiated play and adult directed activities. They know the children well and identify and meet their individual developmental needs. Staff in the nursery interact well with the children. They are good role models and are consistent in their approach when dealing with unacceptable behaviour so children are aware of what is expected of them. There is a good partnership with parents and carers and the nursery values their involvement. Staff share information about children's achievements and progress,

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How good is the Day Care?

both verbally and in written form. The nursery has all the required policies and procedures in place and most of the required documentation in place.

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What is being done well?

• Staff provide a child friendly environment in which children are settled and confident. Children's work is displayed in all areas of the provision and children feel their work is valued. • Staff monitor children's progress and plan a wide range of activities to meet the children's needs. Children have free access to the resources and are able to use their imagination and make choices. • Care, learning and play is well supported by staff and they spend time extending children's language and learning through play. The children are interested and stimulated. • There are good systems in place to assess risks in order to protect the children. The children's safety is paramount. • Staff set appropriate boundaries for behaviour; children understand what is expected of them and respond well from the praise and encouragement given by staff.

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What needs to be improved?

• documentation, so that prior written permission is obtained from parents before taking children's photographs for use within the nursery; and that there are consistent procedures for recording incidents. • children's hygiene, so that an appropriate method is used to ensure children's hands and faces are cleaned after lunch • staff deployment, to ensure that staff are deployed effectively.

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

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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 that good hygiene procedures are in place to clean children's hands and faces after they have eaten.

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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?

Meadow View Day Nursery provides good quality nursery education overall. Children make generally good progress towards the early learning goals. They are making generally good progress in personal, social and emotional development, with a minor weakness, and very good progress in all other areas of learning. The quality of teaching is generally good. Staff have a very good understanding of the early learning goals and the curriculum is interesting and covers all areas of learning. However it does not differentiate between three and four year olds. Therefore activities offered do not always meet the needs of all children participating and younger children are not always supported well in developing an awareness of their own needs. Available space is not used effectively at some parts of the day to support the curriculum. This limits the learning opportunities for children. Children with English as an additional language are supported very well and there is a

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How effective is the nursery education?

designated special needs co-ordinator who has experience of working with children with individual needs. The observation and assessment of children's progress is good and used to identify individual needs and plan activities. The leadership and management within the Whinnies group is generally good. The permanent staff know the children well and undertake additional training and attend regular staff meetings. The curriculum is planned well in advance but the present operational plan does not permit the same programme to be offered to children attending at differing times which disadvantages those children. Partnership with parents is very good with effective feedback given on a regular basis. They are actively encouraged to take part in their children's learning,providing information for activities and a consistent link between children’s learning at home and in the nursery. They are able to check children's progress at all times.

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What is being done well?

• Children are given many opportunities to develop their skills in communication, language and literacy. This is encouraged through focussed activities as well as through free play. • There are many opportunities for children to develop mathematical knowledge with staff encouraging number recognition, sorting and pattern making throughout most activities. • The programme to extend children's knowledge and understanding of the world is interesting and stimulating. Children have a growing awareness of themselves and their environment. • Children are able to express themselves in a variety of creative and imaginative ways. They sing,dance, make music and enjoy a range of craft

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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 activities. • A good range of indoor and outdoor equipment promotes children's physical development. • Staff work very closely with parents who are involved with their children's learning at every opportunity. They are asked to provide information and photos for activities and to support their child's contributions to the interest table. This provides a valuable link between nursery and home. • Children's behaviour is good with staff giving clear,consistent guidelines to encourage children to develop their own boundaries.

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What needs to be improved?

• planning of curriculum to support differing learning needs between three and four year olds; • use of time, staff and space to ensure a balanced programme is offered to all children throughout the day; • support offered to younger children to raise their awareness of their own needs.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

There were no key issues raised at the last inspection, just a point for consideration. This was to provide a designated area where children would have access to writing materials. This has been established.

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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 personal,social and emotional development is generally good. They are developing confidence and concentration, selecting their own activities and resources. They are forming good relationships and work well together in small and large groups, helping each other when required. Independence and self esteem are encouraged but younger children need a higher level of staff support to gain an awareness of their own needs.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good The development of children's communication, language and literacy is very good. Children are learning to write their own name and other familiar words and have many opportunities to practise their writing through role play, taking orders in the café for instance, as well as through focussed activities. Language is encouraged throughout all activities and children are becoming good communicators acquiring a wide vocabulary.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children's progress in mathematical development is very good. Staff encourage counting and number awareness throughout most activities, for example circle time, role play, octopus mobile. Children are aware of shape, pattern and size although there are missed opportunities for reinforcing size with younger children during story time. Activities are planned to encourage problem solving and focussed activities enable older children to develop well.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good The programme for knowledge and understanding of the world is very good. Children are developing a growing awareness of their own world and that of others through well planned and interesting activities. Children are able to use a range of technological equipment such as magnifiers, computer, magnets. They learn about their environment through topics including the sea, growing seeds and Autumn and celebrate their own and other culture's events.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children's physical development is very good. They are learning to control small and large equipment with increasing skill. A programme of song and dance, as well as outside physical activities, promote the development of body control and spatial awareness. Children are made aware of how to keep healthy through planned activities.

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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: Very Good Children's creative development is very good. They have access to a varied range of craft materials, paint, collage, clay, dough, and explore texture, shape and form through sand, water play and constructing models. The children take an active part in role play, recreating real and imaginary scenarios and express themselves through music and song. This enables them to explore feelings and develop their imagination.

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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

• Plan curriculum to provide activities which take into account the differing learning needs of three and four year olds. • Manage space and time to provide a balanced programme to all children attending through out the day.

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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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