The Learning Tree Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 01/03/2005 Inspector Name Susan Patricia Birkenhead

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name The Learning Tree Nursery Setting Address 47 Beryl Road Prenton Merseyside CH43 9RS

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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

The Learning Tree Nursery was registered in March 1999. It is one of a group of nine nurseries. Seven of the nurseries are situated in Nottinghamshire and one in Derbyshire. The nursery operates from the ground floor of a converted, detached house. It is situated in the Prenton area of Merseyside. Children are grouped according to their ages/stages in the 0-2 unit and the 2-5 room. The registered person plans to locate the office and staff room on the first floor therefore allowing children access to two further rooms on the ground floor for messy play and quiet activities. In addition there is a secure garden that has an area fitted with a safety surface and grassed area for outdoor play. A maximum of 20 children may attend the nursery at any one time.The nursery is open each week day from 08:00 to 18:00 all year round for children 0-8 years. There are 43 children on roll, this includes thirteen funded three-year-olds and four

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Information about the setting

year olds. The majority of children who attend live locally, however children do attend from the wider community. There are currently no children attending who have special educational needs or speak English as an additional language.

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Information about the setting

The nursery employs nine staff. Five staff including the manager hold appropriate Early Years qualifications. Two staff are working towards an Early years qualification and two of the qualified staff are working towards a higher level of their qualification. A cook is employed as support staff. Support is available through the local early years partnership and the area SENCO worker.

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How good is the Day Care?

The Learning Tree provides good quality care for children.There is a good percentage of qualified staff employed and the manager and staff are committed to attending additional training.The key worker system in place and the grouping of children enables staff to provide a more consistent approach to the children's care. Good use is made of the space available to ensure the needs of the children are met.A warm, welcoming environment is made available where children can feel secure and confident.The nursery is very well resourced with play materials and equipment.Documentation is well organised and comprehensive systems are in place for recording information,minor attention is required to the staff registers. Staff have a good awareness of health and safety and the procedures and systems

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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 in place ensure children are safe.Hygiene practices are promoted and children learn about personal hygiene through the routines followed.The menus in place promote healthy eating.The older children have access to drinking water within their room.Attention is necessary to the arrangements for supplying meals to the baby unit.Equality of opportunity is promoted well within the nursery.Children learn about diversity and celebrate cultural festivals.The nursery operate a policy for inclusion of all children.A designated person takes responsibility for child protection concerns and staff are familiar with appropriate procedures. Activity planning is available within the nursery areas and approached with greater flexibility for the younger children.Children are provided with a range of play and

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How good is the Day Care?

experiences both inside and outdoors,which take account of all aspects of their development.Staff have a good understanding of managing children's behaviour using positive reinforcement. Partnership with parents is very good.There are good methods of communication established for sharing information about their child and parents receive detailed information about the nursery.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

During the last inspection the registered person agreed to ensure that there was sufficient staff working with children at all times, with reference in particular to lunch times; to ensure that one member of staff on duty was qualified in first aid; that the child protection co-ordinator completed child protection training and that the registered person complied with the Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) procedures. A lunch time assistant is employed to ensure that staff ratios are maintained during staff lunch breaks; three staff are employed who have completed relevant first aid training; the co-ordinator at the time completed the required training. There has since been a change to the designated person who is due to attend training in the near future and the Manager has access to the local ACPC procedures manual. The action taken has helped improve the quality of the cared offered to the children.

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What is being done well?

• The provision of good quality resources. Children have access to a very good range of stimulating play materials which incorporate positive images of diversity. Children have opportunities to select from the resources available to support and extend their learning. • There is a good balance of structured activities and free play opportunities both inside and outdoors to support and encourage children's learning in all aspects of their development. Activities are provided in accordance with the themes followed such as "Animals". Children can explore these in a number of ways which include the imaginary area where the "Vets" had been established. Children are divided into smaller age related groups , which provides opportunities for them to receive greater adult support. Staff /child interaction is good is supporting and guiding children in their learning.

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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 safety as arrangements in place are effective in identifying and reducing risks inside and outdoors. Staff are deployed effectively and are vigilant about children's safety. • The hygiene practices in place ensure that children learn about personal hygiene through hand washing before meals and after using the toilet. Staff adhere to good standards during nappy changing. • The staff approach to managing children's behaviour. Minor squabbles are dealt with in a positive way and staff recognise and encourage good behaviour and achievements through praise. Consistent approaches are maintained. • The good lines of communication with parents in place. Parents are issued with News letters regularly, a good level of information is displayed, the baby unit provides a written daily account of the children's well being for parents,

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What is being done well?

parents receive a copy of the nurseries policies and procedures initially. Parents are invited to attend parents evenings annually to discuss their Childs developmental progress.

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What needs to be improved?

• documentation, to ensure accurate detail regarding staff attendances is recorded in the daily registers in place • food safety, to ensure the arrangements for transporting meals to the baby unit conform to food safety regulations.

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

There are no complaints to report from 1st April 2004

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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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WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NEXT?

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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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Ensure the registers in place reflect accurate detail of the staff attendances daily 8 Ensure the arrangements for supplying meals to the baby unit conform to Food safety regulations.

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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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