ACE Nursery School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 15/05/2003 Inspector Name Emma Louise Bright

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name ACE Nursery School Setting Address 37 Parkside Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB1 1JE

p.1

REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

ACE Nursery School opened in 1966. It operates from five rooms in a four storey building in the centre of Cambridge. The nursery serves the local area. The group is registered to take 40 children aged from two to under eight years. There are currently 70 children from two to six years on roll. This includes 25 funded three year olds and 27 funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery is able to accept children with special needs, although currently there are none on roll. The group supports seven children who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week during school term times. The nursery day is from 8.45 to 17.30. Within those times various sessions are available. Two part time and five full time staff work with the children. Six have early years qualifications. One member of staff is currently on a training programme. The setting receives support from a teacher/mentor from the Early Years Development and

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

ACE Nursery School provides good quality care for children. The nursery offers a warm and welcoming learning environment for the children in their care. The staff work well as a team and this ensures that children are well supported in their activities. The nursery are active in ensuring children's understanding of safety and health issues and promoting healthy eating. The staff develop good relationships with the children and offer them positive role models. The staff are skilled in talking and listening to children, which helps them to feel secure and valued. The nursery ensures that the children are involved in a wide range of interesting and stimulating activities. These are well planned and recorded to help children progress in their learning and development. The nursery builds good relationships with the parents. Parents are encouraged to take part in their child's progress and the group regularly

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

shares information with the parents about their child. Most of the relevant paperwork is in place.

p.2

What has improved since the last inspection?

At the registration visit the group agreed to not use the outdoor area, ensure that building work does not take place whilst children are present, provide soap and paper towels in the toilet facilities, ensure that child height glass is made safe, revise and practice fire safety procedures within the first week of operation and produce written policies and procedures to comply with the National Standards. The outdoor

p.2

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 area is now complete and safe for children to use and building work has finished. Toilet facilities are now suitably equipped and the child height glass has been made safe. Fire procedures are all in place and practiced regularly and all policies are in place.

p.2

What is being done well?

The staff are well deployed and work well as a team. This ensures that children are supported in their activities and helps them to feel secure (Standard 2) Staff interact well with the children. They question, listen and respond to children, which extends their learning, thinking and vocabulary (Standard 3) The premises are safe and well maintained. The environment is warm and welcoming, which makes children feel safe and secure and look forward to their day (Standard 4) The nursery provides an excellent range of resources and equipment, both indoor and outdoor, which challenges children to think, explore and extend their growing skills (Standard 5) The staff are committed to equality and they meet the children's individual needs well. Resources reflect positive images of diverse cultures. Children learn to respect others and they play happily together. (Standard 9) The staff are consistent in their

p.3

What is being done well?

approach to positive behaviour management and set good examples so that children are learning to resolve issues through discussion. Children respond well to consistent expectations and their behaviour is good (Standard 11) The nursery builds good relationships with parents. The nursery is run by a parent's co-operative and parental involvement is encouraged at all levels. Parents are kept informed about their child's progress and are encouraged to participate in their child's learning. (Standard 12)

p.3

An aspect of outstanding practice:

The staff are particularly skilled at talking respectfully to children, responding well to them and listening to their ideas. Staff ensure that children are engaged in their activities and ask them questions that extend their learning and experiences. For example, during a cooking activity children's ideas were listened to and developed by staff. The children were given opportunities to discuss the activity and voice their opinions, which were valued by staff (Standard 3).

p.3

What needs to be improved?

staff vetting procedures - to ensure that all staff are vetted by the Criminal Records Bureau and that written evidence (Standard 1) the written evidence of staff qualifications and training, to ensure that these are retained for inspection (Standard 2) the Child Protection policy, to ensure that a procedure is included regarding allegations being made against a member of staff (Standard 13) documentation, to request written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment (Standard 14)

p.3

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

p.3

by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 13 ensure that the Child Protection policy includes procedures for when an allegation is made against a member of staff 1 ensure that all staff are vetted by the Criminal Records Bureau and that written evidence is retained. 2 ensure written evidence of staff qualifications and training is retained for inspection. 14 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

p.4

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

p.4

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

p.5

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is 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.

p.5

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

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6