The Lancaster School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 19/05/2004 Inspector Name Deborah Jaqueline Newbury

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Toad Hall Nursery (Haslemere) Setting Address Chestnut Avenue Haslemere Surrey GU27 2AT

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Careroom Ltd Address 3rd Floor, Wembley Point, 1 Harrow Road Wembley Middlesex HA9 6DE

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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

Toad Hall Day Nursery opened in 1999. It operates from a former Victorian school, which has been converted for use as a day care facility. There are six classroom areas and a large main hall in the centre of the building that is used for a range of physical play activities. There are two outdoor play areas, one with a hard surface and one with grass. Children are accommodated in age related groups. There are appropriate toilet and nappy change facilities. All meals and snacks are prepared on site in the nursery's kitchen. The nursery serves families from the local community and surrounding villages. There are currently 97 children, aged from 3 months to 4 years, on roll. This includes 19 funded three year olds and 9 funded four years olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting has experience of caring for children with special needs or who speak English as an additional language. The nursery opens five days a week (Monday to Friday) for 51 weeks of the year,

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Information about the setting

from 08:00 to 18:00, excluding bank holidays. Sixteen staff work with the children. Nine members of staff have a recognised early years qualification. Two members of staff are on training programmes. Eight members of staff hold a current first aid certificate. The setting receives support from the Early Years and Childcare Service (EYCS). It is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance (PLA).

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How good is the Day Care?

Toad Hall Nursery Haslemere provides satisfactory care for children. Premises are clean and offer a welcoming environment. There are plans in place to refurbish some areas of the nursery. Organisation is effective with appropriate deployment of staff, use of space and grouping of children, all of which ensures children are settled and secure. They have access to age appropriate toys and equipment. Resources include items that reflect positive images of diversity but all children do not have equal access to these. There is a positive attitude towards training and the staff team exceeds minimum qualification levels. Required documentation is mostly in place. Staff promote some aspects of health, safety and hygiene well. However, the current practice of carrying hot drinks through the baby room to the office and the wearing of

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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 outdoor shoes in areas where young babies are crawling is potentially hazardous as is the inappropriate storage of some items in areas used by children and blocked drains in the outside play area. Some toys, mostly outdoor play equipment, are not clean and are not checked to ensure they are safe and ready for children's use. The nursery caters for children's special dietary needs and staff respect babies' individual feeding routines. They do not ensure, however, that babies' bottles are always labelled. Staff have an understanding of issues relating to child protection. The nursery day is planned to offer children of all ages opportunities to engage in a variety of activities and play experiences both indoors and outside. Staff relate to children in very positive ways and build warm, caring relationships with them. Staff

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How good is the Day Care?

encourage children's good behaviour through effective use of praise. They treat children as individuals and with equal concern. Parents receive detailed information about the nursery and its provision. Staff build friendly relationships with parents and share information, both formally and informally.

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What is being done well?

• There is a relaxed, homely atmosphere throughout the nursery. Staff have a caring approach, they are attentive and provide children with good support. As a result, children are happy and settled. • Staff are aware of the importance of matching behaviour management strategies to children's level of understanding and maturity. They act as positive role models and use praise and positive re-inforcement. Children behave well. • Many play materials are stored at low level which means they are easily accessible by children themselves and they can make decisions about what they wish to do. The use of labelling, both pictorially and in writing, helps older children identify what is stored in boxes. There is an interesting range of items available which children enjoy exploring. Much effort is made to create a warm and welcoming environment for children and parents, for example through the display of children's work and information about activities and

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What is being done well?

themes. • Staff support children with special needs well. The nursery takes positive steps to ensure that individual children's needs are met and works in partnership with parents and other agencies to assure this.

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What needs to be improved?

• arrangements for ensuring safety and good floor hygiene practices in the baby room and the labelling of babies' bottles at all times

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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 • monitoring of the risk assessment and regular checks to ensure safety of the outside play area, the safety and cleanliness of some toys and the safe storage of some equipment and other resources in areas used by children • arrangements to ensure that all children throughout the nursery have equal access to resources that promote positive images of diversity • some aspects of record keeping.

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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 6 improve existing arrangements for monitoring the risk assessment and undertake regular checks to ensure safety of the outside play area, the safety and cleanliness of some toys and the safe storage of some equipment in areas used by children 7 review and improve existing arrangements for ensuring safety and good floor hygiene practices in the baby room and ensure that babies’ bottles are always labelled 9 ensure that all children throughout the nursery have equal access to resources that reflect positive images of diversity 14 ensure that parents are always asked to sign the medication record and that children’s hours of attendance at the nursery are always recorded

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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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