Footsteps Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 10/01/2005 Inspector Name Valerie Block

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Footsteps Nursery Setting Address Minto Centre Nilsson Drive Workington Cumbria CA14 5BD

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Westfield Neighbourhood Nursery 13920 non charitable

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Westfield Neighbourhood Nursery Address Minto Centre Nilsson Drive Workington Cumbria CA14 5BD

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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

Footsteps Nursery is run by a management committee. It opened in August 2004 and operates from three play areas in a purpose-built building within the Minto Centre: a community centre adjacent to Westfield Primary School. It is situated on the Westfield housing estate on the outskirts of Workington. A maximum of 48 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 07.30 to 18.00. It is open all year apart from bank holidays, the days between Christmas and New Year and for several training days each year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 68 children aged from three months to under five years on roll. Of these no children receive funding for nursery education. The nursery also provides wrap round care for the school nursery based at the adjacent school. Children come from the local area. The nursery employs 6 staff. All of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate

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How good is the Day Care?

Footsteps Nursery provides a good quality of care for children. There is a high ratio of qualified and experienced staff and this combined with the effective key worker system and high staff: child ratios, means that children receive good attention and care. The setting has procedures to ensure the suitability of staff. Deputy arrangements are insufficiently robust. Record keeping is good. The premises are clean, welcoming and accessible to children and families. The setting is well decorated using children's work to good advantage. Equipment is clean, age appropriate, in good condition and very accessible to the children. Children's health and hygiene needs are attended to very well. Children's nutritional needs are for the most part met satisfactorily, however the children do not have sufficient access throughout the day to fresh drinking water. The setting has good regard to anti discriminatory practice and receives a good amount of information to

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How good is the Day Care?

meet children's needs. Staff have a good understanding of and commitment to children with special needs. Child protection procedures are well understood. Children are involved in a wide range of interesting and enjoyable activities, using the varied play areas, both indoors and outside. There is careful planning of

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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 activities. Children enjoy their play and are well supported by staff. Staff maintain an environment which helps children to behave well. Staff have good relationships with parents. Information about the setting and individual children is shared effectively.

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What is being done well?

• Children benefit from a very safe building and safe procedures which staff vigilantly put into practice and which are reviewed regularly. For example access to the premises are monitored by T.V. and there are restrictions to doors to ensure that visitors are carefully monitored and that children cannot leave unsupervised. • The premises are very clean, well decorated and welcoming. Space is used well to ensure that children's needs are met. For example the babies area is divided to ensure that older children and younger babies are cared for safely and are in appropriate groups for their activities. • Children benefit from good activity planning in all areas which closely refer to government guidance regarding early learning goals and, 'birth to three matters,' guidance. Children are encouraged to investigate their environment and adults support their learning well. For example, one child was very absorbed in sand play and poured sand onto a shelf, investigating the shapes

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What is being done well?

it made when brushed on this wooden surface. The staff realised the learning that was occurring and talked to him to encourage his investigation and subsequent discoveries. • Children benefit from a very good range of high quality, clean and very accessible play equipment. For example, the staff have been very thoughtful about equipment for the babies, providing interesting objects in treasure baskets to encourage children's interest and stimulation. • Parents are very well informed and included in the life of the nursery. Parents are made very welcome by staff and receive written information about their children and the setting. • Children's behaviour is well managed and staff provide good models of behaviour so demonstrating how to behave well. When problems occur they discuss strategies with parents regularly

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What needs to be improved?

• children's access to fresh drinking water • the arrangements for providing a named deputy manager at all times.

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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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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

Ofsted have received no complaints since registration

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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 2 Ensure that deputy arrangements are reviewed to ensure that they are robust and that Ofsted are notified of any changes. 8 Ensure that children of all ages have accessible fresh drinking water and are encouraged to take frequent drinks throughout their day.

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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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