Tigers at Theale Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 24/09/2004 Inspector Name Daphne Angell

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Brightstart Day Nursery Setting Address 16-18 Church Street Theale Reading Berkshire RG7 5BZ

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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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 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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Brightstart Day Nursery opened in 1994. It operates from a converted property in the village of Theale close to both the A4 and M4 Junction 12 and serves a wide catchment area. The nursery has access to five playrooms with two fully enclosed outdoor play areas. There are currently 57 children aged from 3 months to 5 years on role. This includes 15 funded 3-year-olds and 4 funded 4-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language. The nursery opens five days a week for 51 weeks per year. Sessions are from 07.30 - 18.00. Eighteen staff members work with the children. Fourteen staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. Four staff are working towards a recognised early years qualification. Most staff hold a current first aid certificate. The setting receives support form the Early Years Development and Childcare

p.2

Information about the setting

Partnership. The nursery is taking part in the Investors in People award.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Brightstart Day Nursery offers good quality of care for children. The owners and staff are committed to providing a happy, safe and stimulating environment for the children in their care. The management ensure that staff are well trained and effectively deployed, with high staff: child ratios. Children access a variety of age appropriate play materials and equipment. All required documentation is in place, with only minor amendments required. Staff give high priority to ensuring maximum standards of health, hygiene and safety of children. The owners and management are open to any suggestions to further improve already good practice. The management have detailed policies and

p.2

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 procedures in place, which staff implement effectively. Staff ensure that the individual needs of all children are catered for, including their dietary and medical needs. Children access a range of play materials and equipment to promote their learning and play. Staff promote equality of opportunity and provide resources to encourage positive images of diverse, multicultural society. Staff treat children with gentleness and respect which encourages positive behaviour within the setting. The owners and staff value their partnership with parents. They provide parents with information, in a variety of ways, about their child and the setting. They also ensure that the wishes of the parents, in relation to the needs of their child, are fully

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

acknowledged. Currently the owners are looking at providing future information in the form of an attractive brochure.

p.3

What is being done well?

• Management have a commitment to offer children quality provision. Children have access to a homely, attractive and interesting environment. The nursery is well decorated and planned, with a large number of displays throughout the building. These include information for parents, children's work, photographs and Birthday posters, plus posters to assist children's development. Children have access to a range of interesting play materials and equipment, including those promoting diversity. There are two outside play areas, one of which has large Soft Play equipment. Children use "Messy" and "Quiet" rooms in each area of the nursery to promote a variety of play experiences. • Staff value each child and are aware of the individual needs. They interact positively with the children and encourage them in their play. This in turn promotes positive behaviour and a happy environment within the setting. Staff maintain detailed records including those relating to children's dietary

p.3

What is being done well?

and medical requirements. • The nursery is proud of its high staff:ratios. In addition, the majority of staff are trained to level 2 or above. Management encourages ongoing staff training, on such subjects as behaviour management and special educational needs, to further enhance the skills of the staff. • The management maintain high levels of health, safety and hygiene within the setting. Effective procedures, detailed policies and good staff deployment are in place to ensure the maximum safety of the children at all times. • The owners and staff value their partnership with parents. They are proactive in ensuring that there are a variety of channels of communication, such as daily chats, informative notice boards and newsletters. There is also a Welcome Booklet, giving information to parents about the area of the nursery to which their child is moving. The owners are currently in the process of

p.3

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 forming a new parents' brochure for supplying them with any required information.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• the development records for younger children, to ensure that they are referenced to the developmental age and stage of the child • the consent from parents relating to the displaying of children's individual information within the nursery • the privacy of older children using the toileting area • the variety of snacks.

p.4

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.

p.4

by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 4 Investigate ways to extend and respect the privacy of older children when using the toilet area. 12 Ensure that parental permission is obtained for displaying any confidential information such as children's specific dietary needs/medical requirements. 3 Ensure that records relating to younger children (under 3s) are relevant to their developmental stage so that staff can use for future planning/progressing the children.

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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.4

How effective is the nursery education?

The provision of nursery education at Brightstart Day Nursery is acceptable and of good quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals in five areas of learning. They make generally good progress in physical development. Children co-operate well with staff, showing good concentration and positive attitudes to learning. Teaching is generally good. Staff have a secure knowledge of the early learning goals, which enables the provision of a good range and balance of activities to promote children's understanding, interest and enthusiasm. However planning does not include provision for children's individual progress needs. A good variety of resources are provided for children's play although these are selected by staff and children are not made aware they can choose alternatives. Staff use effective methods to support children's learning with good questioning to develop children's

p.5

How effective is the nursery education?

knowledge and assess their understanding. Assessments of children's learning are in place although these are not recorded consistently. Children with English as an additional language are supported well and procedures are in place to support children with special educational needs. Leadership and management are generally good. The team work and close working relationship between the owners and staff are a strength of the nursery. The staff team show commitment to the continued improvement of the education provision and are encouraged to undertake additional training to develop their skills. Staff lack guidance and understanding of the methods in use for monitoring children's progress. Partnership with parents is very good. They are well informed and regularly consulted about the nursery, routines and activities. The daily information sharing with parents ensures staff are kept informed about any changes affecting the

p.5

How effective is the nursery education?

children. Parents can see their child's developmental record on request and they are encouraged to contribute their comments.

p.5

What is being done well?

• Children co-operate well with adults and each other. They are well behaved, respond to the requests of staff and share toys and resources. The staff use effective methods of positive behaviour management, praise and encouragement to develop children's self esteem and promote good behaviour. • Staff ensure parents are well informed and regularly consulted about the nursery, routines and activities. The registration procedure and regular information sharing with parents ensures staff are kept informed about any changes affecting the children. Parents receive regular daily feedback about

p.5

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 their child and are encouraged to contribute to their child's developmental record. • Staff use effective methods to promote children's learning with good use of explanation and questioning to further extend children's thinking and understanding. • Staff provide a balanced programme through the nursery day to maintain and develop children's interest and promote the areas of learning. The variety of activities offered and provision of active and quiet periods help to sustain children's motivation and enthusiasm during the day.

p.5

What needs to be improved?

• the use of children's assessment records to be consistent and for all records to be dated to provide a record of progress and development • the planning of activities to take account of individual children's progress needs to the next stage • the opportunities available for children to independently select their own resources and to have access to a range of tools to develop their ideas and encourage free expression.

p.6

What has improved since the last inspection?

The setting has made very good progress since the last inspection. Key issues raised previously were as follows:- 1) Monitor the quality of teaching when the group are gathered together, for example at story and registration time. Review staff deployment to provide some additional support on these occasions making sure they remain calm and low pitched. 2)Provide an opportunity for parents to contribute to their child's records giving their observations of their child's learning at home. Staff are deployed effectively at group times to provide additional support to promote a calm atmosphere and develop children's learning. Parents' contributions are encouraged to their child's profiles providing staff with information relating to parents' observations of their child's development in the home environment.

p.6

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

p.6

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children show good concentration skills and positive attitudes to learning. They express their ideas and needs confidently to adults and are developing personal independence skills encouraged by staff. Opportunities for children to select from the full range of resources are limited and children are not made aware of the choices available. Relationships and behaviour are good, and children share and co-operate well with staff and each other.

p.7

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident in their use of language and express themselves well using a wide vocabulary. They have a developing awareness of sound association and enthusiastically sound out letters in their name. Children enjoy stories, songs and rhymes, listen well and join in with stories to ask questions and share ideas. They show enjoyment in books, handle them appropriately and are eager to share them with staff and their friends.

p.7

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children use everyday words to describe position and show good understanding and observation when talking about shapes. Most children can count up to ten and recognise number labels readily to ten. They enjoy simple games to promote pattern and shape for example pairs and dominoes and understand simple sorting and matching tasks. Children's understanding of simple calculation develops well using a range of practical activities, songs and rhymes.

p.7

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children explore and investigate their world and environment through a good range of activities providing first hand experiences. They talk confidently about personal events in their lives and share with staff and their friends experiences with family and on holidays. Children are confident users of technology in everyday activities and show familiarity and expertise with the computer.

p.7

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children show good co-ordination in movement and manoeuvring skills and a growing understanding of spatial awareness for themselves and others. They are confident in their personal care and show awareness of changes in their bodies after exercise. Children have regular access to construction materials which help to develop their own ideas and hand eye co-ordination skills. There are insufficient opportunities for children to access a variety of tools for example scissors on a daily basis.

p.7

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

p.7

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children express their ideas freely through a range of activities including role play in the farm shop, taking the register and in the home corner. They are enthusiastic about music and enjoy singing familiar songs and rhymes. Children have a good variety of opportunities to develop their ideas with free access to craft materials for painting, playdough and drawing.

p.8

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

p.8

OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

p.9

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• ensure staff have a clear understanding of the assessment methods used and observations of children's development are dated to allow progress to be monitored • develop the planning of activities to include individual children's progress needs and identify the areas of learning to be covered • provide additional opportunities for children to select their own resources and have access on a regular basis to a range of tools to develop their ideas and encourage free expression.

p.9

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

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.

p.9

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

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

p.9

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

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

p.10

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.10

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.10

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.10

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.10

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.10

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.10

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.10

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

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

p.10

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

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

p.10

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.

p.10

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.11

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.11

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.11

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.11

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

p.11