Highview Baby Unit

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 17/09/2004 Inspector Name Rod Green

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Highview Baby Unit Setting Address Hall Green Upholland Skelmersdale Lancashire WN8 0HQ

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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

Highview Baby Unit opened in April 1998. It operates from four rooms in a converted surgery in Upholland, Lancashire. The unit serves the local area. There are currently 22 children from birth to three years on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a child who speaks English as an additional language. The unit opens five days a week all year round. Sessions are from 07:30 until 18:00. Six full-time staff work with the children. All the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ 2 or 3.

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How good is the Day Care?

Highview Baby Unit provides good care for children. There are a good range of toys and equipment available and space is well set out to provide for a variety of interesting activities for the relevant ages and abilities of children to ensure they are well occupied and interested. There is a very comprehensive operational plan including well written policies. Required documentation is in place. The temperature of the facility was not maintained consistently. Safety is a high priority with staff conducting daily risk assessments to ensure any possible harm to children is minimised. There is a good health and hygiene policy in place and children are encouraged to wash hands and learn about good hygiene practices. Children's drink containers are not identified properly. There is a good understanding of healthy eating ensuring children receive a balanced diet. Resources reflecting diversity are generally good. The staff have hands on

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How good is the Day Care?

knowledge and a good understanding of working with a child with special needs and ensuring their needs are met. The manager demonstrated a good understanding of child protection issues. Behaviour management techniques are positive and appropriate to the age group and good behaviour is praised and encouraged helping children understand right from wrong. There are comprehensive plans of activities addressing all developmental areas. A variety of activities are provided ensuring all children are given the opportunity to reach their potential in all areas.

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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 Relationships with parents are good and there are good lines of communication between staff and parents including a notice board, daily diary sheets, and daily discussions, ensuring that children are cared for consistently and with regard to their individual needs.

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What is being done well?

• There is a comprehensive operational plan which includes good policies and procedures to help inform parents and staff regarding the running of the facility and to ensure consistency is maintained in the care of children. • The premises are well set out into areas for different activities. These areas are well stocked with a good range of toys and equipment ensuring children have many resources to help promote creative and imaginative play. • Good written assessment records are kept on each child which the key worker goes through and updates every three months ensuring children's development is monitored and encouraged. • Safety is a high priority with a comprehensive risk assessment procedure in place and daily assessments done to ensure that any risk to children is minimised. • Good lines of communication with parents are in place with a daily written diary sheets on each child, a well sited notice board, and daily discussions,

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What is being done well?

as well as access to their child's key worker. This ensure that parents are kept well informed of their child's development and that children receive consistent care in accordance with their individual needs. • Good behaviour is encouraged with a comprehensive behaviour management policy and staff praising and encouraging children when good behaviour is demonstrated helping children learn a sense of worth and of right from wrong.

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What needs to be improved?

• the arrangements for ensuring the temperature of the premises are maintained adequately • the procedures for ensuring children's drinks containers are identified

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Outcome of the 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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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 4 ensure that the premises are maintained at an adequate and comfortable temperature 7 ensure all drinks containers are identified as belonging to a particular child

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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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