Busy Bees Day Nursery at Kettering Venture Park

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 29/07/2003 Inspector Name Coral Hales

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care, Out of School Day Care Setting Name Leapfrog Day Nursery (Kettering) Setting Address Lamport Close Kettering Venture Park Kettering Northamptonshire NN15 6XY

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Leapfrog Day Nurseries (Trading)Ltd 3229362

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Leapfrog Day Nurseries (Trading)Ltd Address Central Office Second Avenue, Centrum 100 Burton-on-Trent Staffordshire DE14 2WF

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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

Leapfrog Day Nursery has been registered since 1999, and is part of a national chain of nurseries. It is housed in a purpose built unit adjacent to a business area with easy access for working parents. The nursery is registered for 112 children from the age of six weeks to under five years. Core opening hours are from 07:00 to 19:00, five days a week. Overnight care is not provided. The nursery is divided into four separate self-contained areas designed to offer group care for children. The children's accommodation includes a baby unit, a toddler unit, and a pre-school unit. There are outdoor play areas for all age groups. Other facilities include children's toileting/changing areas, baby milk kitchen, an office, a staff room, a medical room, a laundry area and a kitchen. Thirty-six part-time/full time staff work with the children throughout the week. Twenty staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level three. Seven staff are currently

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Information about the setting

working towards a recognised early years qualification, and nine are unqualified. Currently there are 151 children on roll, including 32 funded three-year-olds. The staff have experience of working with children who have special educational needs.

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How good is the Day Care?

Leapfrog Day Nursery provides satisfactory care overall for children aged between six weeks and under five years. The premises are brightly decorated to create a warm and welcoming environment and most areas are clean and hygienic. The nursery has a high proportion of qualified staff, however systems to ensure all staff are police cleared do not always work efficiently and adult: child ratios are not always maintained. New staff are given a thorough induction and supported by senior staff. There are established routines, policies and procedures which the staff are familiar with and which contribute to the day to day running of the nursery. Effective systems are in place to offer support to children with special needs. Staff are aware of potential hazards and take steps to ensure children are safe. There is a system in place to monitor security within the building and this is used

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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 very effectively to manage access to the premises. Staff have a consistent approach to managing behaviour and regularly praise children which builds up their confidence and self-esteem. Staff plan a range of interesting activities and provide suitable equipment, which is appropriate to meet the needs of most children. However the range of activities and resources for the under two’s is limited and the grouping of the under two’s does not always meet their needs. Space within the nursery is not always used effectively in order to provide children with sufficient scope for free movement. Staff in the baby room understand the needs of very young children, however staff deployment in this area does not always ensure continuity of care. Staff establish good relationships and parents. Their views are sought and acted

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How good is the Day Care?

upon. They receive comprehensive information about the nursery and the curriculum and are encouraged to be involved in their children's learning. Staff regularly talk to and share information with parents about their children's progress.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the nursery agreed to purchas new resources and equipment for the children in the pre-school area and to equip the baby room with suitable furniture to enable staff to feed the babies comfortably. New resources have been purchased and the baby room is now equipped with comfy chairs. Staffing is still an ongoing issue as ratios are not always met and bank staff are not always available to cover at short notice. This issue will be carried forward from this inspection.

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What is being done well?

• New staff receive a thorough induction to the nursery and their job role, including one for the unit in which they are based. This system effectively supports the new staff. • The nursery has a high ratio of qualified staff who offer the children a good level of support • The nursery is bright and attractive and welcoming to children and their parents. Display boards give information about staff, planned activities and recent and forthcoming events, which allows parents to become involved in their children’s learning. • The premises are very secure. The system used for admitting parents works effectively and ensures children are kept in a safe and secure environment . CCTV records all arrivals and departures. • Parents are kept well informed. They are asked to comment on the nursery and their feedback are noted and acted upon. • Effective systems are in place to offer support to children with special needs.

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What is being done well?

The special needs policy is clear and has regard to the Code of Practice 2001.

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• the system to ensure that staff are police cleared within a reasonable time; • the system to ensure that staffing ratios are met at all times and supervision of the children is consistently maintained; • the organisation of the baby room to ensure children under two are in groups of no more than 12, and to ensure that sufficient provision is made for children’s individual sleep patterns to be facilitated; • the organisation of staff to ensure that sufficient ancillary staff are employed to carry out domestic tasks; • the planning and implementing of activities for the under twos in order to meet their developmental needs; • the planning and organisation of the kitchen to ensure that hygiene standards are maintained.

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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 ensure that there are effective procedures in place for checking that staff are police cleared 2 ensure that children aged under two years are cared for in groups of no more than 12 2 ensure that adult:child ratios are maintained at all times and that these relate to staff time available to work directly with the children 3 ensure that a suitable range of resources and activities is provided for under two's which is appropriate to their stage of development and based on their individual needs 3 ensure that children have the opportunity to interact with a consistent

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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 adult at frequent intervals throughout the day 4 ensure areas are large enough to give scope for free movement and well spread out activities 7 ensure that hygiene standards are maintained in the kitchen 4 ensure that sleep areas are sufficiently equipped to enable individual sleep patterns to be facilitated.

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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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