Little Poppets Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 11/10/2004 Inspector Name Lesley Ann Barrett

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Little Poppets Day Nursery Setting Address 101 Fulbridge Road Peterborough Cambridgeshire PE1 3LD

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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; 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

Little Poppets Day Nursery opened in 1995. It operates from converted premises in a residential area of Peterborough. The nursery serves the local area and beyond.. There are currently 26 children from 2 to 5 years on roll. This includes 10 funded 3 year olds, there are no funded 4 year olds at present. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports children with special needs. There are no children who speak English as an additional language attending at present. The group opens 5 days a week all year round. Sessions are from 8.30 am until 5.30 pm. 4 part-time/full-time staff work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 3. The setting receives support from a Pedagogical Teacher and Child Care Adviser from the Peterborough Sure Start Strategic Partnership

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How good is the Day Care?

Little Poppets Day nursery provides good care for children. Staff are well deployed, ensuring children are given adequate support and care. Staff work well as a team and have a clear understanding of their own roles. Effective use is made of space including the outdoor area to provide a welcoming and stimulating environment for children. Staff have a clear understanding of safety and take steps to minimise risks to children, although the safety of the bird bath needs addressing. Children's good health is promoted and positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection, Staff discuss with the children the benefits of healthy eating and cleaning teeth. Children are provided with a range of healthy snacks and meals which are prepared on the premises. A water filter is available which enables children to help themselves to a drink during the day, although the opportunities for children to help themselves

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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 to drink at meal times are limited. Children are provided with a calm and relaxed environment in which to play and learn. Staff are interested in what children say and do and responding to them in a respectful manner. There are a broad range of activities to support children's all round development. Children are confident to explore and try new experiences and they relate to one another well. Children's differences are acknowledged and valued by staff The play resources and images on display reflect a multi-cultural society. Staff value good behaviour and use lots of praise and encouragement with the children. Partnership with Parents and Carers is of a high standard. Parents are kept well informed about the nursery and their child's day through daily exchange of verbal

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How good is the Day Care?

information. The successful management of the group is supported by well written policies and procedures. With the exception of further clarity of recording children's departure and medication recording all regulatory documentation is in place.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection there were 6 identified actions, 5 of these were in relation to documentation. These have been addressed, however greater clarity is still required for medication recording and recording of children's departure. The 6th action was to ensure that good hygiene practices were promoted, this has successfully been addressed.

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What is being done well?

• Clear employment procedures are in place. Proprietor has a thorough understanding of the need to ensure that staff are physically and mentally fit. • Staff work well together as team. They provide a wide range of activities for the children. They are fully involved with the children and help them to extend their knowledge. They respond positively to children and have developed good relationships. They are sensitive towards the needs of children who are unsettled and have procedures in place to help the children feel secure. • Staff treat all the children as individuals & respect different cultures & backgrounds. The environment is reflective of a multi-cultural society and children treat each other with respect. • Staff act as very good role models for children who are well behaved. Staff consistently reinforce the rules and boundaries to children using age appropriate methods. Children are developing a clear understanding of how

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What is being done well?

to take turns and share equipment. • Parents are warmly greeted in to the nursery and kept verbally informed about their child's day. Parents express their satisfaction at the standard of care provided and comments upon the staff's friendliness and the information they are provided.

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• recording children's times of departures • safety of the bird bath in the garden • opportunities for children to help themselves to drinks at meal times. • medication recording

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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 2 Ensure that children's times of departure are consistntly recorded 6 Ensure the safety of the bird bath in the garden. 7 Ensure that methods for recording administration of medication are clear. 8 Ensure that children are provided with opportunities to help themselves to a drink during meal times.

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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 provision for nursery education at Little Poppet's Day Nursery is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals in all area's of learning. Teaching is very good. Staff have a secure understanding of the early learning goals. They effectively interact with the children and use open ended questions which encourages children to think and use their own idea's. All children are provided with the opportunity to participate in the activities available. Staff work well together and plan an extensive range of stimulating activities that children are interested in. Staff make regular observations on the children which are used to assess the children's progress towards the early learning goals. Focused activities are used for individual children in order to plan the next steps for their learning. This ensures each child receives appropriate challenge to help them progress.

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How effective is the nursery education?

Leadership and Management is very good. The Proprietor has clear aims and values which are shared with the staff. Staff's training needs are identified and appropriate action taken. Regular team meetings are held, formally and informally to ensure that the children's and the staff's needs are met. The proprietor has plans to introduce a formal appraisal system. The staff are committed to improving the quality of their educational provision, they have sought advice from external sources and completed an approved accreditation scheme. The Partnership with Parents & Carers is very good. Staff have developed good relationships with parents who they encourage to be involved in their child's learning. Parents are regularly updated about the topics being covered through newsletters and notice board displays. They are encouraged to become involved in the children's learning to help enhance their child's learning. Parents are provided with information

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How effective is the nursery education?

on their child's folder, how it is used and how they can be involved with it.

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What is being done well?

• Children's mathematical skills are well fostered through the use of planned and spontaneous activities. Children are confident at using their numbers in their play and staff help to extend their vocabulary. • The benefits of healthy eating and self care are promoted through every day activities to help children learn about staying healthy • Staff provide an interesting and well planned environment, so that children are interested excited and motivated to learn. • Sensitive support is provided for parents and children with special educational needs. Staff work well with other agencies to ensure children's

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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 individual needs are met. • Staff make good use of ongoing assessments in order to plan the next steps for children's learning. This ensures each child receives appropriate challenge to help them progress.

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What needs to be improved?

• information provided for parents regarding daily activities

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The setting has made very good progress since the last inspection and this has had a positive impact on the children's learning. The programme for knowledge and understanding of the world has been enhanced to ensure that activities are provided so that children can investigate why things happen and how things work. Activities are also planned which allow the children to explore the features of made objects.

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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 & keen to attend the group. They have good relationships with staff and their peers. Children are learning to share & take turns and work co-operatively with each other. They are interested in the activities available and show perseverance in tasks. Children show confidence in joining in at group times & staff take time to listen to them. They are provided with the opportunity to participate in daily tasks such as 'calling the children', to help promote self esteem.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children listen attentively and their speaking skills are developing well. They enjoy sharing their news in small and larger groups. They are able to respond to simple instructions and staff take opportunities to extend children's vocabulary. They have a good understanding that print has meaning as they write on the 'supper scribbler', paper and chalk boards. Children are beginning to link sounds with letters and several children know the sound of the initial letter of their name.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are learning about maths through planned and spontaneous activities. They talk about how many boys and girls are present, discuss whether there are more or less girls and how many there are altogether. Children appropriately use mathematical language to discuss sizes and shapes and are able to recognise when two items are the same. They are developing a good understanding of simple addition and subtraction through number songs and everyday activities.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are able to take part in a range of activities which enables them to investigate & explore living and man made materials through well planned topic work. They observe the changing of nature, grow seeds and help to bake bread. Children regularly discuss events in their lives and look at the traditions and cultures of other countries, as they handle chop sticks, dress in Hawaiian costume, make diva lamps and participate in activities for harvest festival.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children show control & co-ordination as they move indoors and outside. They can pedal bikes, balance on beams, use golf clubs to hit balls and join in with parachute games. They effectively use cutlery, help to pour drinks, use cutters and rolling pins. They hand eye coordination is developing well as they play the 'fishing game' and use the computer mousse. Children are developing an understanding of the importance of staying healthy through effective discussion on healthy eating.

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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: Very Good Children enjoy a variety of materials such as playdough, cornflour and lentils. They develop their senses as they mix food colouring in to cornflour, make bread, taste different fruits & handle clay. Children have good imaginative skills which they use in different role play settings & with small world equipment, such as the puppet theatre and making up their own stories to pictures. They enthusiastically join in with singing and enjoy using musical instruments

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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 high quality. Children are making very 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

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following: • There are no significant weaknesses to report, but the following points for improvement should be taken into consideration • The information given to the parents regarding the daily activities offered to the children.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

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

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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