Acorns Early Years Centre

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 24/01/2005 Inspector Name Janette Mary White

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care, Sessional Day Care, Out of School Day Care Setting Name Acorns Early Years Centre Setting Address Joy House Dykewood Close Bexley Kent DA5 2JX

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Acorns Early Years Centre 4102880

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Acorns Early Years Centre Address Joy House Dykewood Close Bexley Kent DA5 2JX

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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

Acorns Early Years Centre Nursery opened in 2003 and operates from three rooms in a purpose-built building. It is situated in Bexley, Kent. A maximum of 50 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08.00 to 18.00 for 51 weeks of the year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 74 children aged from 3 months to under 5 years on roll. Of these 34 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from a wide catchment area. The nursery currently supports a number of children with special educational needs, and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs 15 staff. All of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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How good is the Day Care?

Acorns Early Years Centre provides good quality care for children. The staff have very good routines that help children feel secure within a stimulating and welcoming environment. The Criminal Records Bureau information kept on staff does not meet data protection procedure. The children are happy and settled, and staff make good relationships with them. The staff's arrival and departure times are not recorded. The group plan the activities very well. They have consistent everyday routines and this helps the children feel secure and look forward to their day. The range and supply of toys and equipment that reflects equality of opportunity is limited. The staff make sure children understand about safety inside and outside the premises and the space is used effectively. The accident and medication records are not maintained sequentially, and not all risk assessments are not recorded. The staff ensure children are involved in a wide range of imaginative, interesting and

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How good is the Day Care?

exciting activities in order to meet their individual needs. Areas for promoting children's health are effective. There are procedures and behaviour boundaries that are understood by both children and parents. The opportunities for children to know and understand the group rules are limited. The staff encourage a positive attitude to

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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 discipline. The staff develop good relationships with parents. They have well-documented policies and they share with the parents information about the children's achievements.

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What is being done well?

• The group makes good use of all the available indoor and outdoor space, staff and resources. The children benefit from the choice of activities. • The staff have good relationships with children. They spend time talking and playing with them and helping them to learn. The children are happy and settled. • The group plan a range of interesting activities for children of different ages and make excellent use of the garden to enable children to explore, investigate, and enjoy physical play every day. Children get plenty of fresh air and play with the selection of toys and equipment. • The group has a selection of quality toys and equipment. The staff use these to plan activities to promote the children's development. Children are happy and engaged in their play and respect each other's differences. • The staff meet the children's individual needs. They enable the children to play together despite their age differences. Children learn from each other.

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What is being done well?

• The group offer a welcoming environment. Parents and children are greeted at the entrance. Children feel secure. • The staff ensure the environment is secure for children. The children move around freely making effective use of the space to extend their play. • The children respond well to clear guidance and praise. They eagerly take part in planned activities and tidy away toys afterwards. • The staff use positive and consistent strategies to manage children's behaviour. Children play within clear boundaries. • The group has written information about the service they provide. The parents are aware of the service being provided. The staff inform parents about their children's development and achievements.

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What needs to be improved?

• the practice of retaining the Criminal Records Bureau information on staff and ensuring it meets the data protection procedure • the recording of staff's arrival and departure times

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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 • the system for maintaining a sequential accident and medication record, and ensuring all risk assessments are completed and recorded • the range and supply of toys and equipment that reflects diversity in order to promote equality of opportunity • the group rules being displayed at a child's eye level and with appropriate words and pictures.

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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 9 Ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. 14 Devise and implement a system for maintaining sequential accident and medication records, and ensuring all risk assessments are completed and recorded. 11 Develop a system of group rules with words and pictures for the children.

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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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