Little Acorns Day Nursery & Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 28/05/2004 Inspector Name Josie Lever

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Little Acorns Day Nursery & Pre-School Setting Address Little Acorns Day Nursery 83-85 Hall Road Hull HU6 8QL

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The partnership of Margaret Tomlinson and Christine King

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Margaret Tomlinson and Christine King Address 83-85 Hall Road Hull North Humberside HU6 8QL

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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 Acorns Day Nursery and Pre-school has been registered since May 2001 and is privately owned. The nursery operates within the north of the city of Kingston Upon Hull, approximately three miles for the city centre. The property has been converted from two semi-detached domestic houses and care is provided over two floors, with younger children and babies being accommodated on the first floor. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.00pm. They are currently caring for 107 children of which 3-year olds and 4-year olds are in receipt of nursery education funding. The nursery currently supports children with special needs. There are 15 staff employed and all hold a relevant child care qualification, the majority of which is NVQ level III or equivalent. Two are working towards gaining a higher level such as NVQ level III and several towards gaining NVQ level III in supervision and NVQ level IV. The setting receives support from the Local Authority.

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How good is the Day Care?

Little Acorns Nursery and Pre-school provides good quality of care to children. The environment is very warm and welcoming to all ages of children. The building is decorated to a high standard and fully furnished with a varied range of toys, resources and equipment. These of are good quality and meet the needs and ages of the children attending. Space is used very well, with both floors being more or less self contained. The low storage of resources, enables children to self select easily. Staff are well qualified to the minimum qualification levels and above. Documentation for the setting is comprehensive and presented to a high standard with one recommendation made in the area of staff clearance. Safety is given high priority by staff and security procedures are rigorous at times of outdoor play and arrival and departure for children and parents. Hygiene procedures are very good. Staff reinforce good practice in these areas and have attended

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How good is the Day Care?

suitable training. They are vigilant to matters of child protection and aware of their responsibilities in this area. The curriculum is well planned to provide children with a broad range of opportunities that covers all areas of development. Children receive good adult support and their individual needs, including those with special needs are well met.

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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 Staff respond very well to children and encourage them to make choices about their play. The effective behaviour management policy in place, agreed with parents, ensures children know what is expected of them and they relate well to each another, behaving well. Partnerships with parents is professional yet friendly and they are warmly greeted into the nursery and encouraged to be involved. Information they receive is comprehensive and of good quality. Procedures in place ensure information is kept up to date and consistent with their wishes and children's progress in shared on a daily basis both verbally and in written format.

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What is being done well?

• Staff show good motivation and enthusiasm and there is a strong emphasis on working together effectively as a team. On going training remains a high priority with most staff undertaking opportunities to develop further both personally and professionally. The Manager has strong leadership qualities as do the two owners, who remain very involved and hands on. • Children participate in a broad range of activities that are well planned and organised. They receive good adult support and are encouraged to make choices about their play which promotes independence. Children are consequently happy, confident and well behaved. • Provision for babies and children under two is very good. Staff are experienced with this age group and interaction is caring and sensitive to individual needs. Activities planned enable babies and toddlers to have interesting sensory experiences and build on their natural curiosity to explore

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What is being done well?

at this age. There is good range of domestic style furniture provided in these rooms. • There is a very high awareness of health, safety and security. Written procedures in place enable staff to record physical checks of the premises and equipment. The procedure for checking those children sleeping in particular, is very good. Children develop a good awareness and understand the need to keep safe and healthy both indoors and out and the curriculum supports learning in areas of dental hygiene, road safety, caring for pets and healthy eating to name but a few. Staff reinforce good hygiene. • Individual dietary needs are well catered for and a healthy, nutritious menu planned. Children have the opportunity to taste a variety of foods from different cultural origins. • Staff have a good understanding of equal opportunities, recognise children as individuals and meet their differing needs well. Children learn about the

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What is being done well?

importance of respecting each others diversity. Resources available reflect positively in all areas of equal opportunities.

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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

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

The operational plan is a comprehensive range of policies, procedures and statements, fully understood by staff and highly effective in practice. Procedures in place ensure it is regularly reviewed and updated in line with staff changes, new legislation and links in with the National Standards. It is very much a working document. The nursery is very well organised and the day to day running is well managed. Children are grouped appropriately, according to their age and the keyworker system ensures children and parents are well received and all necessary information is gathered and exchanged. This is particularly effective when settling children into the nursery. Staff are well qualified and undertake a thorough induction programme of training when appointed. They are consequenlty fully aware of their individual roles and designated responsibilities within the team. The setting gives staff development and training excellent attention and supports very well, those staff

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

working towards attaining higher qualifications such as NVQ level III, NVQ level III in Supervision and NVQ Level IV. Staff attend a rolling programme of core training in addition to a variety of other opportuntites. There is also a high emphasis placed on staff welfare with training provided in lifting and handling children and also the implemetation of a work life balance policy. Staffing ratios at the nursery are very good and therefore children receive good adult support. Procedures in place ensure these levels are regularly reviewed in line with children's changing patterns of attendance and amended as required. There is a surplus of additional staff on hand to ensure that ratios are maintained throughout the busier periods of the day, particularly for staff breaks or when additional support is required in the baby rooms. (Standard 2 Organisation)

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What needs to be improved?

• procedures for checking the status of staff clearances through the Regional Centre

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Std Recommendation 1 Implement a procedure for checking the status of staff clearances.

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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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