Maycroft Junior School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 02/02/2005 Inspector Name Melissa Tickner

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name The Rocking Horse Montessori Kindergarten Setting Address 8 Lansdowne Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 2NJ

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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

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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

The Rocking Horse Montessori Kindergarten opened in 1990 and is privately owned and managed. It operates from the basement and a converted garage in the garden, of the owner’s home. It is situated in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. A maximum of 34 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08.00 to 16:00 during term time only. Children may attend on a sessional or a full time basis. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. Rocking Horse follows the Montessori philosophy and incorporates Montessori teaching with traditional methods.

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Information about the setting

There are currently 72 children aged from 2 to under 5 years on roll. Of these, 46 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from the local area. The nursery supports children with special educational needs, and also supports children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery currently employs seven staff. Four hold early years qualifications and one is working towards completion of the DPP. The group receive support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP). They are also members of the Pre-school Learning Alliance (PLA).

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How good is the Day Care?

Rocking Horse Montessori Kindergarten provides good standards of care. An extremely warm and welcoming environment is provided which is well decorated, organised and child friendly. Staff work well together and attendance at regular training is encouraged.

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How good is the Day Care?

The children's day is well organised to provide them with a very good range of activities. They are busy, involved and very well supported by staff. Excellent levels of care and interaction are offered and staff are caring and kind. An extremely 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 range of toys, furniture and equipment is available which are safe, stimulating and well organised to promote children's accessibility and independence. All staff promote safety well and children are cared for in a safe environment. Risk assessments and regular safety checks are completed. Good health and hygiene is promoted to a high standard by staff and encouraged with children. They regularly wash their hands and staff are vigilant in ensuring high standards of hygiene. A range of snacks are provided which are currently not as healthy and varied as they could be. Drinks are available at all times. There is a clear approach to promoting equal opportunities, children's needs are met well and they are treated with equal respect by staff. Children have good opportunities to learn about other cultures and differences through access to a good

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How good is the Day Care?

range of resources and activities. Staff have a clear awareness of special needs issues and a positive approach. A consistent and positive approach to managing children's behaviour is adopted by all staff. Sharing and turn taking is encouraged and staff regularly use praise and encourage good manners. Staff have developed excellent systems for working in partnership with parents, and parents are happy with their children's care. Paperwork is clear, up to date and extremely well organised. Minor details are required on the child protection policy. Paperwork is stored confidentially.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

There were no actions set at the last inspection. However the setting have worked considerably on developing systems to keep parents informed of children's progress and the range of information they provide for parents.

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What is being done well?

• Children are confident, happy and settled at Rocking Horse Montessori. They choose activities independently and have access to an extensive range of resources and toys. Staff support children in their play and are caring and kind in their interaction. They offer plenty of encouragement and have developed good relationships with the children. A wealth of interesting and stimulating activities are planned for children. • An extremely well decorated and warm and welcoming environment is worked from. It is very well organised and designed to meet children's needs well. Children have use of well-planned play spaces, which are child friendly and safe and are brightly and attractively decorated with posters and displays of children's work. A safe and fully enclosed spacious garden is also available and well used. • There is a nominated staff member for risk assessment and health and safety who is clear on her roles and responsibilities. This ensures a clear and

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What is being done well?

consistent approach to safety is in place throughout the kindergarten. All staff are vigilant and give high regard to ensuring children's safety at all times. For example a simple checklist is completed every time the outdoor play area is

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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 used, to ensure all safety aspects are met. High levels of security are maintained and regular fire drills are carried out. As a result of all these aspects, children are cared for in a very safe and secure environment. • Very clear systems to work with parents have been implemented. Parents receive a wealth of information, and are involved in many ways at the Kindergarten. For example they attend termly concerts and open evenings, and receive settling in reports. Parents contribute to making changes through the comments box and questionnaires and through regular discussion and liaison with staff. All staff warmly welcome parents. A detailed parents notice board is accessible to keep parents informed of topics and weekly plans. Parents are happy with the care received.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

An excellent range of resources are available to children, which are well used and extremely well organised. Most toys are stored at child height on low level shelving and are attractively displayed in small baskets. The range available is bright, safe and stimulating and include a variety made from natural materials. The storage promotes children's confidence and independence as they choose independently from a very good selection. This is continued in children's outdoor play, where they have use of a range of outdoor play equipment including a Wendy house with a good variety of resources to promote and encourage role-play. Great consideration has been given to ensuring children have access to a good variety of stimulating, varied and interesting toys and play equipment.

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What needs to be improved?

• the variety of snacks offered to children to incorporate a healthier range • the detail included on the child protection policy.

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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 8 Consider reviewing the snacks offered to children to incorporate a healthier and more varied range. 13 Ensure the child protection policy contains sufficient detail, including the procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff.

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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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