First Footsteps (Leyland)

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 06/12/2004 Inspector Name Lesley Ormrod

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Kids' Wonderland Setting Address 53 Fox Lane Leyland Lancashire PR25 1HA

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name First Footsteps Ltd Address 17 Oakfield Anfield Liverpool L4 2QH

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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

First Footsteps (Leyland) is one of six nurseries run by First Footsteps Ltd. It opened in 2003 and operates from six rooms in a detached listed building. The nursery is situated in Leyland. A maximum of 92 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The setting is open each weekday from 07.30 to 18.00 all year. All children share access to two secure enclosed outdoor play areas. There are currently 78 children aged from 2 months to under 5 years on roll. Children come from Leyland and the surrounding districts. The nursery supports children with special educational needs. The nursery employs 23 childcare staff. 17 of the staff hold appropriate early years qualifications. 2 staff are working towards a qualification.

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How good is the Day Care?

First Footsteps (Leyland) provides satisfactory care for children. Staff create a warm and welcoming environment that helps children to feel secure. There is good organisation of the nursery for the provision of day care for children. The available range of resources and equipment requires extending to increase children' opportunities to play, learn and provide them with positive images of diversity. There is good documentation that is shared fully with parents and staff. Most arrangements for health and safety are in place although staff deployment for the effective supervision of children requires reviewing. There are good security procedures to protect children. Staff have good hygiene practices and meet children's care needs well. Children have a good variety of healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. There are systems in place to provide support for children with special needs and disabilities. Staff have a good knowledge of child protection and

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How good is the Day Care?

keeping children safe. Children have their health needs met well. Children are well behaved and have good relationships with staff. Babies are provided with good care routines. The planning for children's learning and play opportunities is not fully established and limits the range of activities available. Children's progress in all areas of development is not regularly assessed and recorded. Most staff have an understanding of strategies to manage children's behaviour.

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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 There are good handover arrangements to keep parents fully informed about their child's daily routines. Parents are given good information about the provision, access to policies and procedures and receive regular newsletters.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the provider agreed to take steps to ensure that all staff are suitably vetted. The provider has improved the arrangements to safeguard children by implementing an effective system to ensure that all staff are suitably vetted to work with children.

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What is being done well?

• The owners and management team have developed a good operational plan, with detailed policies and procedures, that works in practice. The recently appointed nursery manager is effectively implementing the plan and working closely with parents and staff to consolidate sound practices. • Parents are given good information about their children's daily routines. The daily reporting sheets are used effectively by staff to pass on essential information about babies and children's care and activities that they have enjoyed. The key-worker system is developing well and staff are committed to their support roles. • The environment is well maintained and the owners are attractively upgrading rooms on a planned basis. The spacious rooms are being refloored and recarpeted and children enjoy sitting in the cosy corners to sing action songs and listen to stories. • Children have good quality home-cooked food prepared with fresh local

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What is being done well?

ingredients presented attractively for their mealtimes. They enjoy sitting with their staff in small groups to eat their meals. Staff help children to develop good self-feeding and social skills.

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What needs to be improved?

• the planning of a balanced range of activities to promote children's development in all areas of learning and the recording of children's progress • the range of available equipment and resources to develop children's play and learning including their awareness of diversity • the safety of the radiators and the deployment of staff at break times • the provision of bullying procedures.

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 For the reporting period commencing 01/04/2004 Ofsted has received two complaints relating to National Standards 1; 2; 3; 7; 11; and 12. One complaint expressed historical concerns about the following childcare matters: a member of staff's conduct; the previous manager and some staff members carrying out their duties whilst under the influence of alcohol; the presence of pigeons in the loft presenting a health hazard; children not sent home when ill; the staff to child ratio not being met in the toddlers room. The other complaint expressed concerns about the following childcare matters: the acting manager not having the relevant experience or qualifications for the post; children's individual needs not met when agency staff employed to cover a high turnover of staff and staff absences; staff to

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

child ratios not maintained in the babies' unit; concerns raised by a parent that were not appropriately acted upon. Ofsted asked the provider to investigate the historical concerns. The provider interviewed staff and arranged for new procedures and training relating to employees' conduct and disciplinary procedures to be given to staff. She sought advice about the pigeons from the local Environmental Health Department. Documentary evidence indicated that the staff-to-child ratios were being met. The provider gave further advice to staff and parents about the care of sick children. A visit was made by Ofsted to investigate the second complaint. The provider demonstrated that the acting manager was suitably qualified. A new manager had been appointed. Contingency plans had been implemented and agency staff were deployed to ensure that staff to child ratios were maintained and children's individual needs were met. Parents had been kept fully informed.

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

No actions were set following the Ofsted investigations and the provider continues to meet the standards.

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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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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 3 Develop opportunities for children to play and learn 20/12/2005

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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 through a suitable range of activities, appropriate for their stage of development and based on their individual needs: develop use of the planning systems and record children's progress.

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 5 Develop the range of resources and equipment for children's learning and play, including resources for diversity. 6 Ensure the safety of unguarded radiators and ensure staff deployment at break times meets required ratios. 11 Develop a statement about bullying procedures and include in the behaviour management documentation.

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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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