Northwood Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 28/01/2004 Inspector Name Tina Kelly

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Northwood Nursery Setting Address Sandy Lane Northwood Middlesex HA6 3HP

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REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

Northwood Day Nursery opened in 2002, they operate from two spacious modular buildings situated within the secure Joint Services Unit, NATO base in Northwood. The nursery offers full day care provision for Service personnel and MOD Civil Servants (not necessarily based at the Northwood site). There are currently 31 children from three months to five years on roll. This includes three funded four year old children. Due to the changes of personnel on the base there is a frequent change in the attendance of children who may have English as a second language. The nursery is open throughout the year except for bank holidays offering care from 7:45 until 17:30. On the day of inspection 15 children were being cared for. There is a well qualified team of nine staff with two unit managers and an overall nursery manager. In addition there is an operations manager and development officer who support the Northwood nursery and a sister site in Pinner. The proprietor

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Information about the setting

also has substantial input into the management of the nurseries.

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How good is the Day Care?

Northwood Day Nursery provides good care for children. The nursery provides a warm and welcoming environment where children feel happy and secure. The space within the two units is used in a flexible manner to ensure children access a variety of settings through out their day. The well qualified staff team are deployed appropriately, they provide a high staff to child ratio at all times. Staff are well supported by the nursery manager and an operations manager. They are currently in the process of extending the provision for children, rising four years and working towards the early learning goals and Foundation Stage. A wide variety of appropriate activities are planned, these are supported by good quality resources throughout the nursery. The two outside play areas provide a secure area for children to play. This includes an impact absorbent surface, a grassed area and large hard standing, which are used for planned activities and free

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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 The baby unit provides a comfortable environment for the younger children. Their flexible routine is led by the children who enjoy taking part in simple age appropriate activities. They benefit from a separate sleep room which is well monitored. Observations of the children's achievements are recorded and monitored. The key worker system works well ensuring individual needs are met and information is shared on a regular basis with parents. Nutritious meals are cooked on site, individual dietary requirments are well met. There is a very good relationship with parents, details of planned themes and the day to day routine of the nursery are on display, this is supplemented with a keyworker feed back sheet and daily diaries for the under two's.

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What is being done well?

• The nursery offers a bright and interesting environment where the children are confident and interact well with staff and the other children. Their work is displayed around the units giving the children a sense of belonging. • There is a strong commitment to training, some of which is provided in house with the sister nursery staff. Individual staff training needs are monitored through regular appraisals which are appropriately recorded. Staff meetings are planned for the year with issues highlighted for the team to discuss, this includes feedback from training, health and safety issues and ongoing risk assessment procedures. • High regard is given to safety issues with ongoing risk assessments in place. A member of staff is allocated fire warden responsibilities in each unit. The nursery liaises closely with health and safety officers from the base. • The well qualified staff team work with the children at their own level,

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What is being done well?

developing their language and confidence through planned activities and free play. The children's early learning skills are well supported as they are able to freely access very good quality resources from around the nursery which develops their confidence and independence. • The nursery caters for several children who have English as a second language. Simple words and items within the nursery are labelled to support early language and reading skills. On inspection this was done in Norwegian. • Extensive documentation is in place to ensure the smooth running of the nursery. Policies, procedures and information for parents are readily available or on display in the entrance areas. Coffee mornings and a regular newsletter keep parents and base personnel involved on an informal basis.

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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?

• knowledge and understanding of child protection issues for all staff • detail on the children's work and record of achievements and staff training documentation • record of the daily intake of formula feeds and water in relation to bottle fed babies.

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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 13 Develop staff's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. 14 Ensure children’s work and record of achievments and staff training documentation are named and dated. 14 Keep a concise record of the daily intake of formula feeds and water in relation to bottle fed babies.

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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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