Manor House Nursery School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 16/02/2004 Inspector Name Lesley Ann Barrett

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Manor House Nursery School Setting Address 47 The Green Peterborough Cambridgeshire PE4 6RT

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

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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 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.

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Information about the setting

The Manor House Nursery School is privately owned and operated. It opened in 1993, with the present owner in place since 1998. It is situated in Werrington which is to the north of Peterborough city centre and serves to local community and surrounding area's. The Nursery is registered to provide full day care for up to 48 children aged two to five years. There are currently 50 children on roll. This includes 18 funded 3 year olds and 4 funded 4 year olds. The nursery does not currently support any children with special needs of those who speak English as language. The Nursery School is open five days a week from 8:00am to 6:00pm all year round. Opening times are from 08:00 am to 6:00 pm. Children can attend morning or afternoon sessions as well as all day. The Nursery School employs a manager, who is supernumerary, and four other full time staff members who are qualified to level 3. One full time and one part time

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Information about the setting

nursery assistant. The proprietor is also supernumerary. The setting is registered to receive funding for three and four year olds. It receives assistance from a Pedagogical Teacher and a Childcare Advisor from the Early Years Childcare and Development Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

The Manor House Day Nursery provide good care for children. Effective procedures are in place for the induction and vetting of new staff, to ensure that children are protected from persons not vetted, although the employment process does not currently ensure that staff are mentally and physically fit for their role. Staff work well as a team and are aware of their roles and responsibilities. The environment is welcoming to both children and parents. With the exception of the lounge, good use is made of the space available to support the needs of the

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

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How good is the Day Care?

Staff show a good awareness of safety issues and procedures are in place to allow children to play safely indoors and outdoors. However, at certain times of the day the cloakroom becomes cluttered and hazardous. Staff's understanding of promoting good health and hygiene ensures children are encouraged to manage their own personal hygiene, such as washing hands and wiping their noses. Staff are aware of children's dietary needs and ensure that healthy snacks and meals are provided. The organisation of meals times does not always provide children with a relaxed atmosphere in which they can develop their independence skills. The activities provided throughout the day take in to account the children's need for a variety of fresh air and opportunities to relax. The staff know the children well and are proactive in ensuring that the needs of individual children are met. Staff provide a good role model for children, they are calm and consistent in their approach to

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How good is the Day Care?

children. Good behaviour is praised and encouraged. Good documentation supports the successful management of the nursery, although the register does not record the exact times of arrival and departure of staff and the Child Protection Policy does not include all necessary information. Parents are welcomed into the nursery and procedures are in place to ensure that parents are kept informed about their child's day at nursery.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the proprietor was asked to ensure there is a named deputy who is able to take charge in the absence of the manager and obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. These have both been addressed. Following a visit prior to this inspection the proprietor was asked to have a system in place which ensured that staffing ratio's are maintained at all times. This has also been addressed.

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What is being done well?

• Staff plan activities for all ages of children attending the nursery. They make effective use of observations and assessment when developing plans enabling them to enhance children skills. • Staff know the children well. Their awareness of children's individual needs and warm interaction encourages the child to respond well to adults and children. • The displays of children's work at their height, posters and colourful decoration are welcoming to children and help them to settle. • The staff's understanding of their roles and responsibilities help the nursery to meet the children's individual needs.

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• procedures to ensure staff are mentally & physically fit for their role • the registration process for staff to ensure that their actual hours of attendance are recorded • effective use of the lounge • the organisation of coats, shoes and bags within the cloakroom area's • the organisation of lunch times • the child protection policy to include the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff or volunteer.

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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 1 When employing new staff ensure procedures are in to place to ensure that staff are mentally and physically fit. 2 Ensure that the staff register records their exact hours of arrival and departure. 4 Review the use of the lounge to ensure effective use is made of all space available. 8 Review the organisation of lunch times to make it a relaxed time in which children can develop their social skills and increase their opportunities for learning. 13 Ensure the child protection policy makes reference to the procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff or volunteer.

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

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How effective is the nursery education?

The provision of nursery education at The Manor House Day Nursery is good. It enables children to make very good progress in personal, social and emotional development and communication, language and literacy. Generally good progress is being made in all other area's. The quality of teaching is generally good. Staff have a clear understanding of how children learn which is demonstrated through the effective questioning of children and the broad range of activities provided. Staff make learning interesting and enjoyable, providing children with opportunities to observe, predict and think for themselves. Although the opportunities for children to learn about health and bodily awareness are limited. Toys and resources are used effectively to support children's progress towards the early learning goals. Children's behaviour is good in response to the staff's high expectations and their consistent and sensitive support.

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How effective is the nursery education?

Long, medium and short term plans are in place which link to the early learning goals. Staff make regular observations and keep records of children's learning in all six area's of development to help them identify how the children are progressing. These assessments are used to help plan the next steps for children's learning. The leadership and management of the nursery is generally good. staff work well together as a team and are clear in their roles and responsibilities. An appraisal system is in place which allows staff to regularly assess their strengths and weaknesses and discuss their professional development. The partnership with parents and carers is generally good. Parents are given good information about the provision and are well informed about the routines and activities. However, the opportunities for parents to share what they know about their child and to participate in their development are limited. Parents are made aware of

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How effective is the nursery education?

their child's progress file and staff are open to discuss individual children at parents request.

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What is being done well?

• Children's personal social and emotional development is being fostered. Children are confident and happy to enter the nursery. They have good relationships with each other and the staff. • Staff interact well with the children and engage them in meaningful activities. They use effective questioning techniques to extend the children's learning. • Children have a very good grasp of language which they use effectively in role play. They speak confidently, listen well and are to follow instructions. • Children behave well and receive praise and encouragement from the staff. They are able to share and take turns and have a good understanding of right

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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 and wrong. • Staff make effective use of the outdoor play area and children are provided with regular opportunities to experience a range of physical activities outside

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What needs to be improved?

• the opportunities for children to learn about health and bodily awareness. • the parents involvement, so that they are given opportunities to share what they know about their child and participate in their development.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery has made generally good progress towards addressing the key issues for action raised at the last inspection. They now make better use of routines such as snack and circle time to encourage independence and develop awareness of number. They use effective questioning techniques to encourage children to express their thoughts, explore meanings and think about what might happen. The provisions for creative activities have been developed to allow children to make their own choices.

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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

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children separate with ease from their carer. They display high levels of involvement in the activities available. They are confident in their play and are establishing constructive relationships with their peers and adults. Children are well behaved, they are encouraged to take turns, share activities and are learning right from wrong. Staff develop children's independence in self care, such as allowing them to pour their own drinks and give them opportunities to self select their activities.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are learning to recognise their own names, linking sounds to letter at group time and on an individual basis. Children increasingly use language to recall past experiences, think about the future and connect idea's. Staff use effective questioning to encourage children to think and extend their learning. Staff demonstrate the use of language for reading & writing through discussion, displays and labelling. Meaningful mark making opportunities are provided.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children can match and name shapes and colours. They are beginning to compare and recognise when two things are the same and they can follow and recreate patterns. Children can count up to 10, some children count further in group situations. Numerals are recognised and children can put them in to sequence. Staff encourage children to use maths in everyday play and routine situations, e.g. how many children are here today?, how many pieces of fruit?

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children are provided with opportunities to explore design and methods of construction through a wide range of objects which they are able to self select. The children enjoy talking about their environment, their family and significant events in their lives. Staff show interest and use appropriate vocabulary to support children's understanding, such as yesterday, tomorrow, at the weekend. Children's interest are supported through topics which explore seasons, festivals and people who help us.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children effectively use a range of large and small equipment. They move confidently and have an awareness of space. They are provided with regular opportunities to enjoy fresh air and enjoy music and movement. They are becoming increasingly confident in using a variety of tools such as scissors, sellotape dispenser and pegs to hang up dressing up clothes. There are insufficient activities which explore health and bodily awareness, e.g., changes in heart rate after exercise

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children enjoy using their imagination in role play situations, such as filling the car up with petrol, shopping at the greengrocers. They are able to explore colour, texture and paint in different ways. They are able to experiment with rice, play dough and shaving foam. The children enjoy using their voices at group times and join in with singing. Music and movement opportunities are provided.

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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

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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.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• provide children with opportunities to explore health and bodily awareness. • develop parents involvement so that they are given opportunities to share what they know about their child and can participate in their development.

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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.

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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

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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; 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.

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

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