Ysgol Y Parch Thomas Ellis

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 15/04/2004 Inspector Name Mandy Black

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Little Learners Nursery Centre Ltd. Setting Address Stags Way Scorton Richmond North Yorkshire DL10 6HB

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Little Learners Nursery Centre Ltd. 3543299

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Little Learners Nursery Centre Ltd. Address Stags Way Scorton Richmond North Yorkshire DL10 6HB

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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

Little Learners Nursery Centre is privately owned, with a centre manager in post who takes responsibility for all childcare issues. It has been registered since June 1998 and is located in purpose built premises in the village of Scorton, between Richmond and Northallerton. The nursery accommodation consists of five separate units for different aged children, toilets, kitchen and staff facilities. Children have regular access to an enclosed outdoor play area or an indoor soft play room for physical play activities. The nursery serves children from the local community and is registered for 82 children aged 0 to 8 years. Care is also provided for children over 8 years. A school collection service is offered to and from Bolton on Swale, Middleton Tyas, Brompton on Swale and Michael Sydall Primary Schools. There are 137 children who attend throughout the week, including those who attend the out of school club. There are 9 funded three year olds and 15 funded four year olds. The

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Information about the setting

nursery currently provides care for children with special educational needs; none of the children have English as an additional language. There are 19 members of staff working with the children; 13 are qualified and one is working towards a relevant childcare qualification. Qualified teacher support, advice and training is given by the North Yorkshire Early Years Partnership. Opening times are from 07:30 to 18:00 from Monday to Friday. The nursery is a member of the Pre School Learning Alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

Little Learners Nursery Centre Ltd provides good quality care for children. The well designed, purpose built premises, with separate rooms for different age groups, are extremely welcoming to children and families. There are a broad range of toys and equipment available to meet the developmental needs of all children attending; they are attractively presented in a way that promotes children's independence and encourages self selection. There are effective systems in place for staff induction and regular appraisal to support individual development. A strong emphasis on children's safety is highlighted through well managed outings, regular risk assessments and good security of the premises. High priority is given to all aspects of hygiene throughout the nursery; staff working with children and the cook ensure that all written procedures are effectively implemented. Children are provided with a varied menu which includes a wide selection of healthy meals and

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How good is the Day Care?

snacks; children have regular access to drinks.

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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 very good relationships between staff and children in all age groups is a strong feature of the nursery; children are happy, confident and relaxed, relate well to each other and adults. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of their child protection responsibilities. Children with special needs are fully included in all activities; experienced staff work effectively with parents and other professionals to ensure they make good progress. Children behave well; staff manage behaviour positively and skilfully in accordance with the age and understanding of individual children. Staff have established very good relationships with parents and communicate well verbally; written information is attractively presented and user friendly although the complaints policy needs to be extended to include Ofsted details. All documentation

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How good is the Day Care?

is in very good order, well organised, regularly updated and stored securely; confidentiality is maintained at all times.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection, an action was made to appoint a named member of staff to take the lead on behaviour management issues; this has been completed, is working well and impacting positively on the children.

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What is being done well?

• A good commitment to staff development; the majority of staff hold a relevant qualification and also attend a wide range of workshops and short courses that will enhance standards in the nursery as well as developing staff as individuals. • Warm and friendly relationships between staff and children; babies respond well to the smiles and conversation from staff in their calm and quiet unit, and enjoy playing with attractively presented toys; staff support them well at floor level with large cushions. Children aged one to two years are very content and enjoy investigating all toys and equipment provided for them; staff supervise and interact with them well, extending their play at every opportunity. The staff caring for children aged two to three years ensure that they provide a good balance of activities and support children's learning and language development; children are having fun and make good use of all

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What is being done well?

resources. Children aged three to five years relate very well to the staff and each other and are forming close friendships. They are encouraged to be independent and make their own choices from the easily accessible resources. Children over five are happy and confident; staff provide them with lots of opportunities to use their imagination and develop their own creativity. • The very welcoming, brightly decorated nursery premises; there are attractive displays throughout, well presented and up to date information for parents, photographs and a wealth of children's art work on the walls. • To ensure safety, staff have implemented effective procedures; a video intercom system is in place so that the identity of any visitor is verified before entry is permitted. Signing in and out procedures are checked at frequent intervals by management.

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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 • Excellent hygiene practices run throughout the nursery in all areas; this includes very good hand washing practices, thorough routines regarding nappy changing and the cleaning and sterilising of toys and equipment.

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What needs to be improved?

• documentation, to ensure that Ofsted details are included as part of the complaints policy.

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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 12 Documentation, to ensure that Ofsted details are included as part of the complaints policy.

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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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