Oak Tree Kindergarten Ltd (Lansdowne Road)

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 27/04/2004 Inspector Name Parveen Ashraf

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Oak Tree Kindergarten Ltd (Lansdowne Road) Setting Address 42 Lansdowne Road Luton Bedfordshire LU3 1EE

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Oak Tree Kindergarten Ltd (Ashcroft Road) 4560589

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Oak Tree Kindergarten Ltd (Ashcroft Road) Address 229 Ashcroft Road Luton Bedfordshire LU2 9AA

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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

Oak Tree Kindergarten operates from a large detached building in Lansdowne Road, in the Wardown area of Luton. The children are cared for in four separate classrooms, appropriate for their ages and stages of development. There is a fully enclosed garden and car parking facilities for several cars. The provision is registered for 39 children aged 0-8 years. Children can attend a variety of sessions. The nursery is open to all. The group open five days a week. Session are from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm and 1.15pm to 6.00pm. The setting is open all year round, except four working days at Easter, five working days at Christmas and all bank holidays. The setting can support children with special needs or who have English as an additional language. The setting receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP). All full time staff have an early years qualification.

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How good is the Day Care?

Oak Tree Kindergarten provides good quality of care for children. The bright warm colours and large windows provide lots of natural light, creating a welcoming environment. Parents are invited to stay with their children as long as they wish. All the rooms are organised, equipped and furnished to meet the children's physical, social and emotional needs. Staff work well as a team. Policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and shared with staff. Management and staff carry out detailed risk assessments regularly. The provision has also obtained the services of a consultant to carry out an independent risk assessment. All medication given to children is recorded, signed and then countersigned by a second member of staff. Meals are cooked using fresh ingredients and always include fruit and vegetables. A four-weekly menu is made available to parents. There is a separate menu for vegetarians. The setting was

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How good is the Day Care?

awarded the Under 5s Healthy Eating Award in 2003. Staff plan and provide age appropriate activities in all the rooms e.g. older children have access to a computer with a variety of games, encouraging basic reading skills as well as teaching the children mouse control. Staff develop children's confidence and independence by being kind and affectionate, giving them plenty of praise and encouragement. Children were observed content and engrossed in play. 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 provision has a positive approach to equal opportunities and special needs. Staff work closely with parents to ensure that the individual needs of the children are met. The Kindergarten has a good relationship with parents. Parents are kept well-informed about their children's progress using daily record sheets and informal discussions with staff. The provision operates an internal postal service enabling parents to pick up any correspondence, ensuring a two-way communication between parents and the kindergarten. Parents are pleased with the quality of care and education that kindergarten provides.

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What is being done well?

• The provision has a comprehensive operational plan that includes staff plans for each room, daily record sheets for all children, handover sheets for staff, staff appraisals, enrolment procedure and prospectus, aims and objectives, detailed policies and procedures which are regularly reviewed by management and staff. • The owner stated that the documents and procedures are all working documents which are constantly reviewed and updated to reflect the needs of the children and staff. • The baby room is decorated with warm pastel colours and the temperature is constantly monitored by staff. The flooring has both flotex and a carpet area. There is a 'no shoe' policy ensuring that the babies and young children have a safe and clean floor area. Small furniture provides young children with the opportunity to sit at a table and enjoy table top activities. A separate room is used for sleeping babies, lights are dimmed allowing babies to have

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What is being done well?

undisturbed and quality sleep. Sleeping babies are monitored every five minutes. • The provision has a dedicated nappy changing area. All staff wear gloves when changing nappies. All soiled nappies are disposed of in a nappy bin which is situated outside. Disposing of the nappies in this way ensures that the environment remains free from odours. • The group provides a good range of appropriate activities that include all areas of the children's development. All staff are involved in planning topics. The provision teaches using 'Birth to Three' and 'The Early Learning Goals'. Children's individual needs are met through planned activities and play situations that help to develop the emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities, e.g. children aged two to three have the opportunity to experiment with creative material and develop their hand/eye co-ordination, e.g. sewing with wool into card.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

The physical environment for the baby room is well organised to meet the needs of

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 babies. The intergral feeding station allows staff to prepare feeds without leaving the room. A separate quiet room provides babies with undisturbed and quality sleep. The baby room is a pleasant and inviting environment where babies and very young children can play, rest and sleep.

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What needs to be improved?

• Continue to monitor and review current practice.

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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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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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