Amberley Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 01/02/2005 Inspector Name Lisa Toole

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Amberley Nursery School Setting Address 9 Buckhurst Road Bexhill-on-Sea East Sussex TN40 1QF

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Clare Gardner and Mark Ryalls Address Amberley Nursery School 9 Buckhurst Road Bexhill-on-Sea East Sussex TN40 1QF

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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

Amberley Nursery School has been registered since 2001 and provides full day care. It is a privately run group, operating from a number of rooms, in an adapted house, in a residential area of Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. The group serves the local community. A maximum of 40 children may attend the nursery at any one time. It is open from 08.00 to 18.00 hours, Monday to Friday, all year except public holidays. There are currently 62 children aged from two years to under five years on roll. Of these 31 children receive funding for nursery education. The group supports children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs nine staff. Five of the staff hold appropriate early years qualifications. Three staff are working towards a qualification. The nursery is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance and Bexhill and Battle Under Fives Association.

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How good is the Day Care?

Amberley Nursery School provides satisfactory quality care for children. A welcoming environment is provided and there are sufficient staff working with the children. There are effective recruitment and induction systems in place but children are not always protected from persons who have not been vetted. The premises are generally clean and tidy. Space is well used to enable children to move and play freely. Some areas are in need of decoration and maintenance and parts of the kitchen are unclean. There is a good range of toys and equipment, including those to promote equal opportunities. Toys are accessible to children and well maintained. Most documentation is in place and is stored securely but not all is maintained accurately, including the medication, accident and fire drill record. Procedures of how to make a complaint are also not displayed for parents. The premises are secure and access is monitored. Steps have been taken to reduce

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How good is the Day Care?

hazards to children, but sleeping children are not supervised. There are good routines in place to promote good health and hygiene with children being encouraged to wash their hands. Children receive regular, nutritious snacks and meals and children's dietary needs are met. Staff are aware of individual needs and that some children may have special educational needs. Staff have a good

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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 knowledge and understanding of child protection and the possible signs of abuse. A variety of activities is planned and provided for children to support their progress in the six areas of learning. However, some of these are inappropriate for the younger children's stages of development. Children are happy, well behaved and staff interaction is good. The partnership with parents is good. They receive daily feedback about their child and regular newsletters. Children are cared for according to parent's wishes. Parents comment that they are happy with the care their children receive.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the group was asked to ensure that children cannot access the kitchen unsupervised from the garden. Handles on doors have been re-located to prevent easy access to the kitchen and staff ensure that children are supervised at all times. They were also asked to ensure the register accurately reflects staff and children's attendance. The register now clearly shows when staff and children are present, including arrival and departure times.

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What is being done well?

• The children are happy, settle well on arrival and enjoy the activities provided for them. Staff have good relationships with children and spend time talking to them and playing with them. • The group has taken steps to protect children and the premises are secure. Access to the nursery is monitored and there are safety measures such as gates, socket covers and safe storage of cleaning materials to reduce any potential risks to children. • Children are provided with a range of nutritious snacks and meals. Children are offered a hot midday meal or they can bring a packed lunch and any dietary needs are catered for. Children sit together at tables for meals and snacks. • The partnership with parents is good. Parents opinions are sought via questionnaires and staff respond appropriately to any issues raised. Parents have commented in verbal and written feedback that they are very happy with the care their children receive.

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What needs to be improved?

• the arrangements for ensuring that children are protected from persons not vetted to ensure that children are safe at all times • the maintenance, cleanliness and temperature of some areas to ensure that children are cared for in an appropriate environment • the arrangements for sleeping children to so that they are supervised at all times

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What needs to be improved?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 • some aspects of documentation relating to the fire drill record, the complaints procedures, the medication and accident records and the child protection policy so they are accurately maintained and all required information is detailed.

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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 1 Ensure that children are protected from persons not vetted. 4 Ensure all areas of the premises are clean, well maintained and the temperature of all rooms is maintained at an appropriate level. 6 Ensure children are appropriately supervised at sleep times. 14 Ensure that all documentation is in place and accurately maintained.

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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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