Small Friends Children's Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 08/01/2004 Inspector Name Lisa Paisley

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Small Friends Children's Day Nursery Setting Address 15 Rectory Grove Leigh-on-Sea Essex SS9 2HA

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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

Small Friends Children's Day Nursery opened in September 2001. It operates from 3 rooms in a privately owned building, situated in the centre of Leigh-On-Sea. The nursery serves the local area. There are currently 73 children from 0 to 8 years on roll. This includes 22 funded 3 year olds and 10 funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports a small number of children who have special needs and who have English as an additional language. The group opens 5 days a week all year round. Sessions are from 08:00 until 18:00. Twelve staff work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 3. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP), the Pre School Learning Alliance (PSLA), the Essex Day Nursery Association (ENDA) and the National Day Nursery Association (NDNA).

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How good is the Day Care?

Small Friends Children's Day Nursery provides good care for children. Staff regularly attend training, allowing them to keep up to date with current childcare practices. Space, staff and resources were organised to effectively meet children's individual needs. A safe, warm, and well-maintained environment is provided. Toys and equipment are accessible, encouraging children's confidence and independence. Appropriate documentation is in place, and mostly well maintained. High priority is given to ensuring children are safe by minimising any potential hazards. Staff have a good understanding of health and hygiene procedures and they act in the children's best interest when they are ill. Meals and snacks are adequate and nutritious, food is served in a relaxed sociable atmosphere, staff are close by to support and encourage children’s independence. Drinks are made available, however children are not able to readily help themselves to water. Staff

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How good is the Day Care?

are aware of their responsibility for safeguarding children. Children are involved in a broad range of planned and well supported activities. Children are encouraged to make choices and develop independence. Staff

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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 understand that all children’s needs are special and all children are helped to access positive learning experiences. Developmental observations inform planning. Consistent methods for managing children's behaviour are used. The group develop a professional relationship with parents. They are committed to sharing information with parents ensuring that they are fully informed about their children's experiences.

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What is being done well?

• Activities and play opportunities are well planned to support children's overall development and progress. Physical development is actively encouraged through resources and activities that are challenging and imaginative. • The environment is warm and welcoming. A great deal of thought and consideration has gone into the physical planning of the rooms, the availability and quality of resources, ensuring that children feel valued. • Individual needs are assessed, resources planned and the environment and resources adapted to ensure the inclusion of all children. • Children are consistently helped to learn about equality and diversity through effective use of a wide range of equipment and resources. • Staff build positive relationships with parents who are made to feel welcomed into the group at any time; they listen to parents, ensuring that their child's individual needs are met.

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What needs to be improved?

• drinking water to be more readily accessible; • records of accidents and incidents to ensure that a parent's signature is consistently obtained.

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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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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

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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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 7 Ensure that a parent's signature is consistently obtained when recording accidents, incidents and existing injuries to children. 8 Ensure that children have ready access to drinking water.

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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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