Rocking Horse Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 22/07/2003 Inspector Name Rachael Mankiewicz

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Rocking Horse Day Nursery Setting Address 21 Mill Lane Greens Norton Towcester Northamptonshire NN12 8BB

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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 Day Nursery has been open since 1997, when it was established in a purpose-built bungalow in the village of Greens Norton. There is now an adjacent Portakabin for the use of pre-school children. The Nursery is divided into four areas: the Baby Room for children aged from three months to approximately 18 months, the Toddler Room for children aged 18 months to two and a half years, the Nursery Room for children aged from two and a half years to three and a half years and the Pre-School children aged up to five years. The children have the use of an enclosed area to the side of the main building for outdoor activities. The children also grow vegetables and plants in a garden area. The Day Nursery is registered to take a total of 54 children and is open for 51 weeks of the year from 8:00am until 18:00pm. Children attend for a variety of sessions. Families attending the nursery come from the surrounding rural area and town of

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Information about the setting

Towcester. The facility is registered to take funded three and four-year-olds, and also supports children who may have special needs or who speak English as a second language. There are currently 18 members of staff of whom nine have relevant early years qualifications most to level 3. Other staff are working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting works alongside the mentor teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Rocking Horse Day Nursery offers good quality care for children. The nursery provide a welcoming, friendly environment where the children are learning through play and experiencing a wide range of activities. The children are well cared for by staff, who have good awareness of health and safety issues. The staff encourage the children to learn good hygiene practices. The staff know the children well and provide good support for children with individual needs and interests. The routine of the nursery and a well-defined operational plan, enable staff to provide stability and an organised approach which benefits the children. The management and staff are committed to further training and developing good practice within the nursery. Record keeping is of a very good standard.

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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 Parents receive good information about the nursery. There is a comprehensive prospectus which mentions the policies and procedures the nursery works to. There is a key worker system in place, where a member of staff has particular responsibility for a small group of children. The key worker shares information about the child with the parents on a daily basis, and other more formal updates take place for the older children. Parents are also able to participate in the daily routine and social aspects of the nursery.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the Nursery agreed to address two requirements. That the adult:child ratios were met. This has been addressed and maintained. The second, that the nursery rooms are maintained to an adequate temperature. The inspector is assured that an adequate temperature is maintained.

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What is being done well?

• The staff:child ratios are very good, and staff are deployed well. The available space, which is more than adequate, both indoors and outside is organised well. • The children benefit from the excellent range of activities and resources for children of different ages and stages of development both indoors and outside. This includes resources which reflect positive images of race, disability, gender and age. • The management and staff have a good awareness of safety issues that ensures the children are safe and secure when indoors and outside. Security is good, and risk assessments of new activities and outings are carried out. • Health and hygiene practices are good. Children are encouraged to think about health and hygiene, including healthy eating. • Staff have a good knowledge and experience of caring for the needs of all children, including children with special needs. There is a strong commitment

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What is being done well?

to training and improving practice. • Parents are encouraged to work in partnership with the nursery to benefit the children. Staff know the parents well, make them feel welcome and acknowledge their input to the assessment of the children and the running of the nursery.

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What needs to be improved?

• the equal opportunities policy, to ensure it is consistent with current legislation and guidance, and that this is understood and implemented by all staff; • staff's awareness and understanding of effective ways to manage children's behaviour, and make this known to parents.

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What needs to be improved?

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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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 9 develop further, an equal opportunities policy that is consistent with current legislation and guidance and ensure that this is understood and implemented by all staff. 11 develop further, staff's awareness and understanding of effective ways to manage children's behaviour and make this known to parents.

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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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