Grasmere Nursery and Tadpoles Baby and Toddler Unit

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 09/09/2004 Inspector Name Kelly Eyre

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Tadpoles Baby & Toddler Unit Setting Address Icknield Way Luton Bedfordshire LU3 2BT

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Luton Borough Council Address Life Long Learning Dept. Unity House, 111 Stewart Street Luton Bedfordshire LU1 5NP

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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

Tadpoles Baby and Toddler Unit opened in September 2002. It operates from a purpose-built building in the grounds of Grasmere Nursery School in the Icknield area of Luton. The group use one large room with low-level dividers. They also have sole use of a kitchen and children's toilets. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area for the children. There are currently forty-nine children from six weeks to three years on roll. The setting currently supports four children who have special needs and is able to support children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery is open forty-seven weeks a year (two weeks break in summer and at Christmas and one week at Easter). Opening hours are daily from 08:00 to 18:00. Children can attend for a variety of sessions. The group is open to all children in the local and wider community. Seventeen permanent staff members and one relief staff member work with the

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Information about the setting

children. Ten staff have an early years qualification to NVQ level 3 and four are working towards this qualification. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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How good is the Day Care?

Tadpoles Baby and Toddler Unit provides good quality care for children. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with children's work displayed and resources used to create a colourful and stimulating environment. There is a wide selection of toys and resources, stored at child height so that children can choose what to play with, thus promoting their independence. The use of space is well planned, with rooms adapted during the day to meet the children's varying needs. The setting recognises the importance of babies and children getting to know their carers in order to feel secure, and this is reflected in consistent staff deployment. Thought has been given to the grouping of children to ensure their emotional and developmental needs are met. Staff plan a wide range of activities, linking these to 'Birth to Three Matters' and also ensuring that children have fun while they are learning. The staff show genuine and appropriate affection for the children and are

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How good is the Day Care?

skilled in helping them to extend their play and learning, encouraging them to think and question.

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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 Children are treated as individuals and staff make every effort to understand all needs, adapting activities and environment to enable all to participate. Children are encouraged to begin to recognise differences in lifestyle and culture. The children's welfare and safety are promoted through staff's continuous vigilance and effective policies and procedures. Children's behaviour is well managed, with staff taking a calm and consistent approach. Children are given lots of praise, thus building their self-esteem. The setting is committed to reviewing and improving practice and are planning to review all policies to include further detail. They have good relationships with parents, keeping them informed through communication sheets and discussion. Parents are therefore able to feel confident in their ability to provide appropriate care

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Not applicable - no actions were raised at the last inspection.

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What is being done well?

• Organisation is thorough, with all areas well planned but flexible. This means that the children are able to move safely and freely between groups and staffing ratios are always maintained. For example, the outdoor area is used to maximum potential, with some staff always being deployed to this area, meaning that the children can move between inside and outside areas and choose where they want to play. Staff are very supportive of each other, show a good awareness and react appropriately to any situations. • Children are encouraged to explore their environment and to interact with their peers. Staff are skilled in asking open questions and helping children to extend their play experience. The children respond to this, learning to relate to each other and to the adults. • Staff get to know the children well and demonstrate their genuine interest and affection. The children are treated as individuals, shown affection and given

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What is being done well?

individual attention. This enables them to feel secure and confident in their environment. • Staff work hard to ensure that both parents and children feel welcome. There are displays and notice boards for parents. Children's work is displayed, there are photos of the children, toys and resources are stored within easy reach. Attention has been paid to making the rooms colourful and stimulating. This helps children to feel settled and at home. • Children are offered a well balanced diet of freshly prepared food, thus promoting their health and development. Staff take every possible step to ensure that they are aware of any special dietary requirements. For example, they have photos of each child and have clearly written on these any allergies or special diets. These are displayed in the kitchen and in the milk preparation area so that any member of staff can refer to them.

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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?

• policies and procedures, to include further detail, the recording of safety checks, parent's signature for medication administered and written parental permission for emergency first aid • arrangements for first aid to ensure that there are sufficient staff with an appropriate qualification

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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 continue to review and develop policies and procedures to include further detail and ensure that these are shared with parents 6 develop procedures for documenting and recording safety checks. This refers to daily premises checks and fire drills 7 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment 7 keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children 7 ensure that there are sufficient staff with an appropriate first aid qualification

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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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