ACE Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 01/11/2004 Inspector Name Lorraine Hunt

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name ACE Day Nursery Setting Address 6A Priory Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB5 8HT

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name ACE Nursery School Address 37 Parkside Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB1 1JE

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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

ACE Day Nursery opened in Cambridge in May 2004. ACE is a Parents Co-operative that operates both the day nursery and also a nursery school located close to Cambridge city centre. Both of the provisions are managed by a parent committee. The day nursery operates from one main playroom on the ground floor of a purposely converted building. There is a small fully enclosed outside play area. A staff room and office are located on the first floor. The day nursery serves the local area. There are currently 28 children from 1 to 3 years on roll. The nursery opens 5 days a week from 08.30 to 17.30 for 48 weeks a year. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports a small number of children with special needs. It is able to support children for whom English is an additional language, but has none currently attending. The nursery employs 3 full time and 4 part-time staff. Over half the staff have early

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Information about the setting

years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. Three staff are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification.

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How good is the Day Care?

ACE Day Nursery provides good quality care for children . The staff work well together and are deployed effectively to support individual children and small groups during free play sessions. The children benefit from the continuity of being cared for by a small, qualified staff team. However, staff training needs have yet to be identified. The nursery and it's staff are warm and welcoming to parents and children. The premises is light, airy and attractively decorated and outdoor play is planned into each session. Children have access to a good range of stimulating and sensory activities which ensures they are busy and active throughout the sessions. These are adequately supported by good quality resources, many of which are accessible to the children. Documentation mostly supports the successful management of the group and records help staff to meet children's individual needs. Staff have a good awareness of keeping children safe at the nursery and when on

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How good is the Day Care?

outings, although written risk assessments are not completed. They give high regard

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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 to health and hygiene issues. A varied, healthy menu of snacks and vegetarian meals is provided and individual dietary requirements are met. Children experience warm and caring relationships with staff and are happy and settled. Staff show interest in what children do and say and use praise and encouragement effectively to develop children's self-esteem and confidence. Children behave well in response to staff's consistent expectations of behaviour. Partnership with parents is very good. Staff and parents exchange information daily about children's routines and activities to ensure children's needs are met.

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What is being done well?

• Children respond well to the calm environment and to staff's positive interaction with them. Staff praise children's efforts and achievements, encourage children to become increasingly independent and provide support, as and when necessary. They question, listen and respond appropriately to children, which extends their language, thinking and learning. • Sessions are well planned to provide children with time to explore through their play and gain new skills such as language. They have good opportunities to experience a range of messy/sensory activities and frequent outdoor play. Local outings broaden children's learning environment. • There is effective partnership with parents and staff work well with parents to support the children's well being. Parents complete a profile form on entry to the nursery with information about their child and there are good systems in place to keep them informed about their child's routines and progress.

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What is being done well?

Parents speak highly of the staff and setting and provide practical support within the setting. • Staff ensure that appropriate health and hygiene procedures are followed, both in their own practice and also through encouraging children to adopt good hygiene practices. As a result children are learning about keeping healthy through daily routines.

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What needs to be improved?

• the identification of staff training needs, to meet the needs of the nursery and individual staff's professional development • the undertaking of risk assessments and regular fire drill practices • the development of an operational plan which includes an outings procedure

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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 1 develop a system that ensures that the training needs of the nursery and all staff are met 2 develop an operational plan, which includes an outings procedure 6 ensure that a system of risk assessment is in place and fire drills are undertaken on a regular basis

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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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