Blundellsands Kindergarten

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 05/07/2004 Inspector Name Michele Anne Villiers

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Blundellsands Kindergarten Setting Address Blundellsands Road West Blundellsands, Liverpool Merseyside L23 6TF

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Blundellsands Kindergarten Address Liverpool Road Crosby Liverpool L23 5TD

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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

Blundellsands Kindergarten moved to their current premises in June 2004. It operates from a purpose built, detached, low level building. The children have access to two play rooms and a communal entrance. There is an outside play area. There are 60 children on roll, including funded three and four year olds. The nursery opens five days a week during school term times from 09:00 to 15:00. Six full-time staff work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3 or equivalent. The nursery supports children with special needs and those who speak English as an additional language.

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How good is the Day Care?

Blundellsands Kindergarten provides good care for children. The nursery is warm and welcoming and provides a child centred environment in purpose built premises. Staff are qualified in childcare and have worked together for several years, providing good continuity of care. The children's artwork is attractively displayed and information for the parents available at the entrance. Low-level shelving and toy storage enables children to freely access resources. Health and safety is promoted within the nursery. Fire safety is adhered to and staff regularly practise the fire evacuation procedure with the children. Good hygiene practices are in place and shared with the children, who learn about personal hygiene during the daily routine. All children's accidents are recorded and information is shared with parents. Staff act in the child's best interest if they are ill and most staff hold a first aid certificate. Children are supervised at all times and

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How good is the Day Care?

staff carry out safety checks. However, there is not a formalised risk assessment procedure. The nursery provides a snack of biscuits for the children and children take packed lunches. Staff plan and provide a wide range of activities. There is a key worker system in place and staff work with small groups of children, providing good support and motivating their learning. The nursery is well resourced, although there are limited multi-cultural toys reflecting positive images of race, gender and disability. The staff liaise with other professionals to support any children with additional needs and take steps to promote their welfare and development. The children's behaviour is managed well, in a positive environment where good behaviour is reinforced.

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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 Staff have a good relationship with the parents. Parents are kept well informed about the provision and information is shared on a daily basis. Parents have access to the children's records and development sheets and parental involvement is encouraged.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the setting agreed to: obtain parental consent for the seeking of emergency medical advice, obtain parental signatures on recorded children's accidents, record the children's arrival and departure times and to review the child protection policy. Parental consent is now included on the children's admission forms for staff to seek emergency medical advice. Children's accidents are recorded and parents sign the book to confirm that the have been informed. Staff sign the children in each day and record their arrival and departure times. The child protection policy makes reference to the Area Child Protection Committee's procedure (ACPC).

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What is being done well?

• Staff work well together and provide good continuity of care. The key worker system ensures that staff are knowledgeable about the children's progress and individual needs. Children receive good support and motivation to learn. • The premises are safe and the environment is welcoming. The premises are newly purpose built and all on one level. The children's artwork is attractively displayed throughout and resources stored for children to independently access. • Staff plan and provide a good range of activities. Activities are linked to the six areas of learning and assessment is carried out to chart the children's development and progress. • The children's behaviour is managed well, in a positive environment. Staff are consistent in their approach and use praise and encouragement to reinforce the children's good behaviour. • Parents are kept well informed about the provision, through daily chats and

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What is being done well?

written letters. Parental involvement is encouraged and parents may stay with children during the settling in period.

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What needs to be improved?

• the operation plan to be used as a working document • the risk assessment to be formalised and regularly reviewed • the provision of nutritional snacks and availability of drinking water at all times • the variety of resources reflecting positive images of race, culture, gender and disability.

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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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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 Devise a more effective operational plan and use as a working document. 6 Further develop the recording of risk assessment and review regularly. 8 Provide nutritional snacks and make drinking water available to children at all times. 9 Increase multi-cultural resources and resources to reflect positive images of race, culture, gender 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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