Kids & Co Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 15/03/2004 Inspector Name Carol Victoria Tyler

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Kids & Co Day Nursery Setting Address 41 Westcombe Park Road Blackheath London SE3 7RE

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The partnership of The Partners Of Kids & Co Day Nursery

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name The Partners Of Kids & Co Day Nursery Address 41 Westcombe Park Road Blackheath London SE3 7RE

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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; 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

Kids and Co day nursery opened in 1991. It is a privately owned nursery run by a family partnership. The nursery operates from a detached house in Blackheath situated in a residential area close to Greenwich Park, Maze Hill and Westcombe Park stations. The nursery is situated on the ground floor and facilities include two playrooms, a kitchen, toilet facilities and a fully enclosed garden. They serve the local and surrounding areas. There are currently 34 children from 2 years to under 5 years on roll. This includes 12 funded 3 year olds and 4 funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of all day sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language. The nursery opens five days a week all year round. Sessions are from 08:30 until 18:00. 5 full-time staff work with the children and 1 part time. Over half the staff have early

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Information about the setting

years qualifications to NNEB and NVQ2 with 1 un-qualified. The setting receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP). Children are taken to a range of places including Greenwich park, local library, local environmental centre and extra curriculum activities are provided with a music and dance teacher visiting once a week.

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How good is the Day Care?

Kids and Co day nursery provide satisfactory care for children.

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How good is the Day Care?

They provide a warm, welcoming and child-friendly environment for children and their parents. The premises are clean, bright and well maintained with attractive displays of children's work and colourful posters. The required policies and procedures are kept, but improvements are needed to ensure they are in line with the National Standards. They were seen to be in breach of the regulations with

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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 regards to staff vetting and employment procedures and staff records. A high proportion of staff have a weak knowledge of the National Standards and the supporting criteria. An operational plan was not in place. Staff show a good understanding of the safety measures required for young children, however, this could be improved. They emphasise safety at all times enabling children to develop awareness of potential dangers both in the nursery and when outside. There are gaps in the staff's awareness of child protection procedures and maintaining confidentiality. The nursery provide children with good quality, nutritious meals and snacks. The nursery have a very good range of toys and equipment, many of which reflect

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How good is the Day Care?

positive images of race, disability, gender and age. Staff plan activities in advance to ensure all areas of the curriculum are covered. Children are given many opportunities to explore and investigate both inside and outside the nursery. They are relaxed, happy, confident, play well together and staff interaction is good. Staff offer appropriate support, supervision and encouragement. The nursery foster good relationships with parents taking account of their differing needs, such as those linked to their culture, language and work patterns. Parents are provided with written information and are given daily feedback. Parents who responded to the questionnaires were very happy with the care provided, but communication and sharing of information could be improved.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the nursery agreed to many actions: ensure staff vetting and employment procedures were in place; share their operational plan with parents; review their risk assessment; record accidents to maintain confidentiality; provide sufficient child-sized tables; ensure sufficient quantities of food is prepared and fresh drinking water is available; revise the Code of Practice and make it available to parents; update records, policies and procedures to meet the National Standards. The nursery have addressed many issues; they have purchased more child-sized tables to enable children to play and eat together, they have employed a cook who makes sure there is sufficient food to enable children to have 2nd's and even 3rd's, their accident records are now recorded on separate pages to maintain confidentiality, good progress has been made with revising their Code of Practice but there is no system in place as yet to share it with parents and they are in the

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What has improved since the last inspection?

process of updating all their policies and procedures to meet the National Standards. Staff vetting and recruitment procedures; sharing their operational plan with parents and their risk assessment remain outstanding.

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What is being done well?

• The nursery premises are warm and welcoming to children and their parents. Bright informative notice boards are provided in the hall and children's work is attractively displayed in all areas.

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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 • The nursery menus offer children high quality, varied and nutritious meals. All food is freshly prepared, meals are well balanced and children have fresh fruit and vegetables each day. • Toys and equipment are carefully chosen to provide a balance of activities both indoors and in the outside play area with a high emphasis placed on natural objects and heuristic play. Staff plan and provide interesting, stimulating and enjoyable activities which are age appropriate. • Children are very well behaved. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour, they set clear rules and boundaries and remind children of these as necessary. Children are offered appropriate praise and encouragement and are supported as they learn to become self-disciplined.

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What needs to be improved?

• the procedures for staff vetting, recruitment and maintaining confidentiality • the action plan setting out: how staffing ratios will be maintained at all times, the registration arrangements showing when staff and visitors are present; how all records, including staff records, relating to the nursery activities are made available for inspection at all times and the procedures for lost or uncollected children • the arrangements for sharing the operational plan with parents • the procedure for conducting a risk assessment on the premises and how the fire procedures and recording systems will be reviewed • the arrangements showing how sole use of the premises will be achieved when others require access • the arrangements for staff to develop their knowledge and understanding of child protection issues through training • the arrangements to keep written records, signed by parents, of all incidents, in particular existing injuries when a child arrives

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What needs to be improved?

• the arrangements for checking that all policies and procedures relating to the nursery are in line with the National Standards.

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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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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

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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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 1 Ensure that there are effective procedures in place for staff vetting and recruitment. 30/04/2004

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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

2 Develop an action plan that sets out how staffing ratios will be maintained at all times. 30/04/2004

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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

6 Conduct a risk assessment on the premises identifying actions to be taken to minimise identified risks. 30/04/2004

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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

14 Ensure that all records relating to day care activities are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times. 30/04/2004

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 produce an operational plan that sets out: the registration arrangements showing when staff and visitors are present; how staff records will be made available for inspection at all times, the procedures for lost or uncollected children and how the operational plan will be shared with parents; 4 develop a system showing how sole use of the premises will be achieved when others require access; 6 ensure that the fire procedures and recording systems are reviewed; 7 keep a written record, signed by parents, of all incidents, in particular existing injuries when a child arrives, maintaining confidentiality; 12 ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times; 13 develop staff's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues; 14 ensure that all policies and procedures relating to the day care activities are in line with the National Standards.

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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?

Kids and Co day nursery offers good quality nursery education. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. Children are making generally good progress in each of the early learning goals. Teaching is generally good and staff use their knowledge to plan a broad-based curriculum that includes a range of interesting practical activities and topics, they make good use of the environment. The challenge set for children is generally good, Support for children with special needs is generally good and staff are developing their work with the help of a local SENCO. Some staff are weak at addressing the needs and support to children with EAL. Staff show positive and skilful management of behaviour and demonstrate a consistent approach. There is a good range of equipment to cover all areas of learning. The assessment of children's learning has some weaknesses. Staff do not always

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How effective is the nursery education?

focus their teaching and staff do not effectively use children's learning to inform the next stage of planning. Leadership and management are generally good. The new nursery manager is working hard to develop an effective staff team, there is a commitment to improving services provided for funded children and to training. Most staff participate in planning but have yet to fully develop their role of evaluating practise and assessment. The management system is structured, however there is no formal procedure for the supervision and support of staff. Partnership with parents is generally good. Parents are well informed about the policies and procedures of the pre-school, although parental involvement is sometimes limited.

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What is being done well?

• Children are interested and involved in their play; they make choices well and have good relationships with adults and each other. • Children are provided with good opportunities to learn about environmental issues and living things, as a result children develop good exploration and investigation skills. • The outdoor area is used well to extend children's learning in many areas. • Children speak fluently and engage well in conversations with peers and adults, they have a keen interest in books and stories. • Children have an interest in mathematical learning, they are beginning to use mathematical concepts and language.

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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 • Staff work well as a team and show positive and skilful management of children's behaviour and have high expectations of behaviour.

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What needs to be improved?

• Opportunities for children to explore their creative development and eye hand coordination through a range of materials, tools and music. • The use of everyday routines to reinforce mathematical learning and to develop personal independence. • Opportunities for use of technology. • The effectiveness of evaluation and assessment and the effectiveness of informed parents about children's progress.

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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: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in personal, social and emotional development. They are interested and involved in their play; they make choices and express their ideas. They have positive relationships with adults and with each other. There are too few opportunities for children to develop their self-help skills and independence during meal and snack times.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in communication, language and literacy is generally good. Children speak confidently with peers and adults, they communicate well and express their ideas and feelings well. They are beginning to learn pre-reading skills and they enjoy books. There are good opportunities for children to develop writing skills, however children are not always sufficiently challenged to recognise sounds.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in mathematical development is generally good. There are many opportunities for children to learn from a range activities and experiences, this helps children to have an interest in mathematical activities. Many children confidently count to ten and above. They are developing an understanding of adding, subtracting, shape, numbers, weight, measure and patterns. There are some missed opportunities during everyday routines to reinforce mathematical learning.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in knowledge and understanding of the world is generally good. There are good opportunities for children to learn about environmental issues and living things. Good use is made of outings and surroundings to reinforce this and as a result children develop good exploration and investigation skills. There are good opportunities for children to learn about history. Provision for ICT and technology is limited.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in physical development. Good use is made of the outdoor area to extend children's learning, this helps children to be active and they learn to recognise changes in their bodies. They learn about the importance of hygiene and know why they wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. There are limited opportunities for children to explore malleable materials and use tools to develop eye/hand coordination.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

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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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in creative development. They express their ideas well through heuristic play. Children use their imagination well during role play. Staff sometimes limit children's opportunities to freely explore and create using a range of textures and materials and there are too few opportunities for them to play freely with musical instruments.

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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

• Improve the provision is ICT so that children are confident in using the computer and have access to a range of technology. • Improve the evaluation and assessment of planned activities and use of observation of children to inform next stage of planning, to ensure that the individual needs of children are met and planning is effective. • Ensure that daily routines encourage children to develop their mathematical learning and independence and provide free opportunities for children to develop their creative learning through use of material and music.

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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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