Rocking Horse Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 30/03/2004 Inspector Name Jan Healy

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Rocking Horse Nursery Setting Address The Old Brewery House, Bath Road Shaw Melksham Wiltshire SN12 8EF

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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

Rocking Horse Nursery opened in 2002. The nursery is a detached house in the village of Shaw, just outside Melksham in Wiltshire. It is sited on the main road, with its own parking area inside the surrounding garden wall. There are six play rooms providing areas for under twos, two to threes and three to fives. There is provision for children who have attended the nursery to come after school and in the holidays. A separate room can be available. The nursery is registered for 39 children aged under eight years of whom ten children can be aged under two years. Of the 63 children on roll, there are 9 funded three-year-old children and 3 funded four-year-old children. The nursery supports children who have special needs and who speak English as an additional language. The proprietor lives in the attached house, and employs 10 staff, 9 of whom hold a qualification in early years, and 1 who is currently attending a training programme.

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Information about the setting

The nursery has a garden, fenced and secure, providing a play area on a dry surface, a play area on a grassed area and a woodland walk. The nursery is open from 08.00 to 18.00 all year round and receives support from the Pre-school Learning Alliance and a lead teacher from the Early Years Team in Wiltshire.

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How good is the Day Care?

Rocking Horse Nursery provides good care for children. Staff hold relevant qualifications, and have experience and training to provide appropriate care for children. Space is used to maximise learning and staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities. Procedures to deputise are effective. Rooms are prepared for children's arrival and work is carefully and thoughtfully displayed. All toys, equipment and furniture are age appropriate, safe and well maintained. Records are accessible, stored securely and confidentiality is maintained. Premises are kept secure and there is an effective procedure for the safe arrival and collection of children. The majority of safety issues have been addressed. There are effective arrangements to care for a sick child and to prevent the spread of infection.

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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 All food is home made and cooked on the premises and meal times are social occasions, when all children and staff gather in the dining room. All children are encouraged to join in with all the activities, however, there is a lack of resources which reflect culture and ethnicity. Staff are aware that some children have a special need, and ensure that appropriate action is taken to aid their welfare and development. There is an effective procedure to ensure all staff are made aware of child protection issues. Staff are very friendly and approachable, greeting children, parents, and visitors warmly. Children receive reassurance and encouragement, and have a variety of opportunities for play. Procedures for behaviour management are understood and implemented by staff and are shared with parents.

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How good is the Day Care?

A positive relationship is maintained with parents. Information is shared and written agreements are in place.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection, staff were requested to ensure that maximum numbers of children in each play area were adhered to at all times. Registers are maintained to ensure the number of children does not exceed the registration. The staff were also requested to ensure that children were cared for in appropriate age groups. This is in place, as there is a baby room, a toddler room and a pre-school room, as well as three other play rooms available for a variety of activities.

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What is being done well?

• Space is used to maximise children's learning, and staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities. Procedures to deputise are effective. • Staff are very friendly and approachable, greeting children, parents and visitors warmly. Children receive reassurance and encouragement, and have a variety of opportunities for play. • Rooms are prepared for children's arrival, and work is carefully and thoughtfully displayed. • All food is home made and cooked on the premises. Meal times are social occasions, when all children and staff gather in the dining room.

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What needs to be improved?

• children's safety with regard to the heaters • children's access to resources that reflect positive images of culture and ethnicity.

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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 6 Ensure children do not have access to the heaters. 9 Ensure children have access to resources which reflect culture and ethnicity.

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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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