Edgar Wood Academy

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 28/01/2004 Inspector Name Anne Jeanette Faithfull

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Acorn Day Nursery Ltd Setting Address 532 Reading Road Winnersh Wokingham Berkshire RG41 5EX

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Acorn Day Nursery Ltd Address 532 Reading Road Winnersh Wokingham Berkshire RG41 5EX

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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

Acorn Day Nursery opened in 2001. It operates from four rooms in a converted private house in Winnersh. The nursery serves the local area. There are currently 62 children from 3 months to 5 years on roll. This includes 9 funded 3 year olds and 5 funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children with special needs and has systems in place to support children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery opens 5 days a week for 51 weeks a year. Sessions are from 08.00 until 18.00. There are 18 members of staff who work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. Six staff are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from a teacher and the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. The nursery has a pet rabbit, which is kept in a hutch in the outdoor area.

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How good is the Day Care?

Acorn Day Nursery provides good quality care for children. Staff provide a warm, welcoming and secure environment for the children and their parents. The staff work well as a team and make good use of the space available both indoors and outdoors to provide a stimulating and well balanced range of activities for all the children. A wide range of toys and resources are available for the children to choose from daily, which help to promote all areas of learning and development. The staff are very aware of children's safety, daily safety checks take place and security within the building is good. Staff take positive steps to promote health and hygiene and children are encouraged by staff to follow appropriate hygiene procedures. A medication procedure is in place, however any requests made by

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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 parents regarding medication for their child is not recorded in a confidential manner. A range of healthy and nutritious snacks and meals are provided for the children; staff are aware of the individual diet needs of the children and ensure mealtimes are a very sociable occasion for all the children. Staff have a secure knowledge and understanding of the individual needs of the children, and ensure those needs are met; each child is valued and respected. The staff use behaviour strategies, which are suitable for the age of the children, they are good role models and use praise and encouragement effectively throughout the day. Staff understand the need to protect children and are aware of the child protection

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How good is the Day Care?

procedures to follow. The nursery has developed good relationships with the parents, they share information, in a variety of ways including newsletters, noticeboard and daily feedback, a complaints procedure is in place, but lacks the address of the regulator and is not displayed for all parents to see. Parents are very pleased with the progress their children make and comment on how happy and secure their children are.

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What is being done well?

• The staff provide a stimulating range of resources and activities both indoors and outdoors which help children to make progress in all areas of development. A wide range of toys and resources are available for the children to use. • Space is organised and used well to create a warm, welcoming and secure environment for the children and their parents. • The staff know the individual children well, they are aware of each child's needs, each child is valued and respected. • The staff have developed good relationships with the parents, they share information and concerns on a daily basis.

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What needs to be improved?

• documentation, to ensure medication requests are recorded in a confidential way, and complaints procedure to include address of regulator and to be displayed for parents to see.

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Outcome of the 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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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 all medication requests from parents are recorded in a confidential way. 12 Ensure complaints procedure contains the address of the regulator and is displayed for parents to see.

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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?

The Acorn Day Nursery is acceptable and of good quality overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. Children have positive attitudes to learning and progress through a wide range of resources and activities available to them. Teaching is generally good. Staff have a secure knowledge of the foundation stage shown by the activities planned and observed. The children are confident, enthusiastic and eager to take part in the activities offered. Staff make very good use of both the indoor and outdoor areas to promote most areas of learning. Children are encouraged to be independent and to contribute to their own learning, however children are not encouraged to use the book corner and staff do not effectively make use of daily routines to encourage the children to individually count. Staff have effective strategies to manage children's behaviour, relationships between children

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How effective is the nursery education?

and staff are good. A good planning system is in place, however the assessment of children and evaluations of activities offered is limited and does not identify where the children individually are to enable staff to move them onto the next stage. There are systems in place to support children with special needs. There are no children with English as an additional language attending at present, strategies are in place to provide support if needed. Leadership and management are generally good. Staff work well together as a team to provide a well planned stimulating environment for the children. The manager is committed to the continued improvement in the quality of education provided and to the ongoing professional development of the staff. The partnership with parents is very good and contributes to the children's progress towards the early learning goals. Parents are kept informed verbally about their

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How effective is the nursery education?

child's time at the nursery, their activities and progress.

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What is being done well?

• Children's personal, social and emotional development is very good. They are confident, competent and interested. Good relationships have been formed, the children are aware of their own feelings and interact well with each other and staff. Children's behaviour is good. • Staff work well together to provide a good range of activities and experiences to promote children's knowledge and understanding of the world, they have regular access to technology and practical experiences to develop their senses. • Partnership with parents is very good. Parents are well informed about daily

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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, events and topics. They are encouraged to share information and be involved with their child's learning. The parents receive regular verbal updates on their child's progress in the nursery.

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What needs to be improved?

• the assessment and evaluation system to identify where children are and to move them onto the next stage. • opportunities within the daily routines to encourage children to individually count and use numbers. • the organisation and planning of the book area to promote self selection and enjoyment of books.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Not applicable, this is the first inspection of funded education.

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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: Very Good Children are confident, interested and motivated. They show an interest and are eager to participate in all activities. Children understand the need to share toys and take turns. They are aware of their own feelings and show consideration and respect towards others. Good relationships have been formed with each other and staff.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children communicate well, they engage easily in conversation with each other and adults. Children are confident in finding their name cards and recognise some other familiar words. Children enjoy listening and contributing to storytime, however children are not given the opportunity to choose the books and seldom use the book area during other times of the day.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are given opportunities through planned group activities for example looking at different fruits to experience shape, size, sequencing and patterns. Opportunities are missed to encourage children's individual counting and using numbers within the daily routines for example counting the children when they line up, and individually counting the cups at snack time.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children experience a good range of activities to learn from first hand experiences and how to use their senses. Resources provided in everyday situations encourage the children to investigate and experiment. Children use the computer confidently and have access to a wide range of communication technology and programmable toys. Opportunities are provided for children to talk about past and present events in their own lives and the lives of others.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident and independent in their personal care. Children have good co-ordination skills and understanding of space, they move with confidence around the nursery and outside area. Planning ensures that children have regular opportunities throughout the day to access the garden and use the outdoor resources including bikes and climbing frames. Children can access a range of large and small equipment throughout the nursery day.

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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 are able to express their ideas, feelings and explore their senses through a wide range of activities including the lemon-scented water in the water tray and touching and smelling different fruits. Displays show a wide range of media used by the children to explore colour and texture. Children participate enthusiastically in singing and music sessions.

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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

• develop a system to identify each child's progress and to move them on to the next stage • provide opportunities within the daily routines for children to individually count and to use numbers • promote children's self selection of books and use of the book corner . 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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