Furness Childcare

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 28/07/2004 Inspector Name Lesley Ormrod

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Furness Childcare Ltd Setting Address High Street Sawmills, High Street Barrow-in-Furness Cumbria LA14 1QY

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Furness Childcare Ltd Address High Street Sawmills, High Street Barrow-in-Furness Cumbria LA14 1QY

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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

Furness Childcare Ltd opened in July 2003. It is situated in a converted sawmill in the centre of the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. There is sole use of the premises. The childcare facility consists of: a birth-to-two years old room; a two-to-three years old room; a three-to-four years old room; a cots/sleeping room; a training and meeting room also used for after-school care; toilets and changing areas including disabled access; a dining area; a kitchen; an office with a reception area and a staffroom with laundry. There is access to two fully-enclosed outside play areas. The facility serves the local area. It is close to amenities such as the town centre shops, parks, playgrounds and schools. The childcare facility is registered for day care for 69 children under 8 and for overnight care for 21 children under 8. There are currently 7 on roll for the after-school club, 12 on roll for the holiday play scheme and 45 on roll for day care.

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Information about the setting

This includes five funded children. There are currently no children on roll for overnight care. The setting provides full day care, overnight care, after school care and holiday play schemes. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The facility supports children with special needs. There is one child who speaks English as an additional language. The facility is open five days a week from 06:00 to 22:30 all year round. Sessions are from 07:30 until 18:00. Overnight care is available during the five days of opening each week. Seven full-time and four part-time staff work in the facility. 85% of staff have early years qualifications to National Vocational Qualification level 3 and 15% of staff have early years qualifications to National Vocational Qualification level 2. The setting receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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How good is the Day Care?

Furness Childcare Ltd provides good care for children. The facility has a warm and welcoming environment that helps children to feel secure. There is good organisation by the managers of the day care provided in the nursery, the after-school club and the holiday play scheme. The staff team have extended their knowledge and expertise in early years childcare by undertaking an excellent range of training opportunities. There is a very good range of age-appropriate play

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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 equipment that provides children with sufficient challenges and learning opportunities. There is good documentation that is shared fully with parents and staff. Some aspects of the documentation require updating. There are very good arrangements for safety and security for children's protection. Staff have good daily hygiene schedules and children use well-cared-for equipment in a clean environment. Children have healthy and nutritious snacks, meals and drinks. A review of mealtime arrangements will enhance the provision made for under-twos. Staff give very good support to children with special educational needs. There are good resources and displays to develop children's awareness of the diversity of society and equality of opportunity. Child protection procedures are

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How good is the Day Care?

understood well and staff are vigilant in protecting children. Curriculum planning is detailed and covers all age groups cared for. Children's development is evaluated and recorded regularly. Information is used to inform future planning for children's learning. Activities are planned using the Birth to Three Matters framework and the Early Learning Goals. There is a good balance of free play and adult initiated activities. Children attending the after-school club have a wide range of play activities. Staff manage children's behaviour consistently. There are very effective systems in place to keep parents fully informed about their child's day. Parents attend regular meetings to discuss their child's overall progress.

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What is being done well?

• Children confidently demonstrate their skills in communicating effectively about their experiences. They talk about their recent outing to the beach and relate the sea life found to pictures in books and wall displays. • There are very good recruitment procedures. Staff are supported well through good induction procedures; staff appraisal scheme; regular meetings; excellent training provision and management oversight. Children benefit from good care arrangements provided by well qualified staff. • Children make good progress in achieving developmental milestones and early learning goals. Their progress is recorded daily and reported to parents at handover. Development booklets are completed regularly and new targets for learning identified. • Babies have good routines and a good balance of stimulatory and self-exploratory activities. They explore sounds made by shakers, play in the ball pool and practise their early mobility skills using a pull-up bar to look in a

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What is being done well?

mirror. • There are very good arrangements for health and safety, security and emergency evacuation. Safe evacuation is practised regularly and children remember what to do.

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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 • Children's behaviour is managed through consistent approaches. Achievements of all children are valued and praised. Children are proud of their certificates for swimming. Staff have involved the children in contributing to the Jules Rules for good behaviours.

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What needs to be improved?

• documentation relating to: obtaining parental consents for CCTV monitoring; specifying modes of transport on consent forms for outings and updating of Personal Care Procedure, Equal Opportunity Policy, Allegations against Staff Procedures, Child Protection Policy and registration forms • mealtime arrangements for the under-twos and range of meals and drinks offered.

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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 8 Review arrangements for under-two’s mealtimes and review balance and variety of food and drinks offered. 14 Review documentation and update: include Equal Opportunities and Child Protection policies, Personal Care procedure, children’s registration and consent forms.

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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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