Acorns Nursery School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 30/01/2004 Inspector Name Beverley Jane Bruno

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Acorns Nursery School Setting Address Shackleford Village Hall Shackleford Surrey GU8 6AE

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name The Committee Address Acorns Nursery School, Shackleford Village Hall Shackleford Godalming Surrey GU8 6AB

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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

Acorns Nursery School is managed by a parent committee. It opened in 1969 and takes place in the village hall of Shackleford in Surrey. Children are cared for in one main hall and they have access to toilet facilities. Staff have access to a kitchen and a store room. There is an enclosed outdoor play area at the rear of the hall. Groups of older children are taken to the local school nearby once a week for story and singing with the reception class. The nursery is open from 09:00 to 14:30 on Mondays and Wednesdays and from 09:00 to 13:30 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The nursery is open during school term times only. Most of the children who attend live in the village or surrounding rural area with a small number travelling from as far away as Godalming. Six members of staff are employed to care for the children. All of the staff are experienced and most are appropriately qualified. A minimum of four staff work with

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Information about the setting

the children each day to maintain correct adult to children ratios. There are thirty-five children on the roll at present. Ten of the three-year-olds and twenty of the four-year-olds are in receipt of funding. All of the funded children speak English as their first language and a small number have special educational needs. The nursery receives advice from the Early Years Partnership and it is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

Acorn Nursery School provides good quality care. Staff work hard to organise the large hall to provide a warm, comfortable and cheerful environment for children to access and use. Children are able to access the prepared activities and toys put out for them to enjoy. However they have limited free choice of toys and resources beyond that which is set out on a daily basis. There is also a lack of toys and resources reflecting positive images of disability. The staff, whose qualifications and experience, support the needs of the children, ensure they are appropriately deployed and on task. The comprehensive documentation and records in use are appropriate to the type of provision. The staff ensure that identified hazards to children both inside and outside of the provision are quickly minimised. Staff are very knowledgeable on issues relating to children's health and dietary requirements. Their sound work practices ensure that

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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 children are fully 'included' and supported. This is also the case in the care of children with special educational needs. Staff have a good working knowledge of how to protect children from child abuse. Children have access to a balanced mix of care routines and activities that meet their group and individual needs. Staff are very confident in the use of a wide range of appropriate strategies to promote positive behaviour in children. Staff are fully committed to and value the promoting of partnerships with parents and carers of the children they care for. They feedback to parents at the end of sessions and at designated meetings during the year. Comprehensive information keeps parents well informed.

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What is being done well?

• The manager has a good leadership style, understanding the value of delegating responsibilities whilst at the same time retaining overall control. She also provides strong but appropriate leadership for the children. • Staff operate as a cohesive, efficient, courteous team as they support the children, supervisor and each other in the preparation, resourcing and delivery of activities and care routines. • There is clear comprehensive planning, and recording plus a process for extending children within the activities. To provide continuity of care Acorns invite Toddler Group children to visit prior to join the nursery. Acorns children and staff visit the local feeder school on a regular basis. • Children enjoy the welcoming environment. Staff work hard to make the hall inviting and stimulating, with the imaginative use of partitioning, and rotation of toys and equipment which have to be put away at the end of the session.

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What is being done well?

• Children's safety on entering and leaving is effectively supervised. Staff position themselves by the hall safety gate. Parents are invited into the hallway between the inner doors and safety gate to wait for their children. Main entrance doors are locked during the session. • Children enjoy a drink and nutritious snack of a biscuit and selection of seasonal fruits. Staff carry out research on allergies children may have to ensure they give appropriate care. • Parents are provided with considerable amounts of information about the provision and how their children are progressing. Annual questionnaires are used to collect information on how parents feel the nursery is supporting their children. • The Supervisor and Committee demonstrate their commitment to providing quality care for the children in the comprehensive nature of the administration documentation and reference materials, which fully embrace and show a

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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 continuing desire to meet the national standards and criteria.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

Children behave appropriately through the use of an effective selection of age appropriate strategies, including a verbal 'warning' of a play session nearing its end. To prepare children for school quiet times the nursery use half minute hour glass timers at appropriate points during the sessions. Staff use the ABC method of recording observations to highlight triggers for inappropriate behaviour so effective strategies can be put in place.

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What needs to be improved?

• the work practices and storage that would allow children more opportunities to make free choices in the toys and resources they wish to use • the stock of toys and resources available to children providing positive images of culture/ethnicity and disability.

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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 5 Review work practices and storage with the aim of providing children more opportunities for free choice of toys and resources. 9 Ensure children have access to an expanded range of toys and resources that reflect positive images for children of culture/ethnicity and disability.

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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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