Treetops Castle Garden

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 21/05/2003 Inspector Name Caroline Sharratt-Smedley

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SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name Castle Garden PDN Setting Address King Street Derby Derbyshire DE56 4EU

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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 in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and that the nursery education for funded three and four year old children is of an acceptable quality. Inspection of nursery education also identifies strengths and weaknesses so that providers can improve the quality of educational provision and help children to achieve the early learning goals (elgs) by the end of the Foundation Stage. This inspection report must be made available to all parents. If the setting has been inspected previously, an action plan will have been drawn up to tackle issues identified. This inspection, therefore, must also assess what progress has been made in the implementation of this plan.

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Information about the setting

Castle Garden Private Day Nursery is one of the Treetops chain of Day Nurseries.It operates from what was once a village school and is situated off Duffield Road in the small town of Duffield itself. The premises are on one level. Parking is on the street. The Nursery is registered to provide care for 58 children aged nought to five years. Children attend a variety of sessions per week with many attending full time. Children are separated into four groups ages 0-2yrs, 1-2yrs, 2-3yrs and 3-5yrs. The Nursery is open from 7.30am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday with the exception of bank holidays. There are 14 members of staff, of which 10 hold a childcare qualification.Three members of staff are situated in the pre-school group. The Nursery receive funding for 3 and 4 year olds and have support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.There are 166 children on the register, 28 funded 3yr olds and eight funded 4yr olds.

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How good is the Day Care?

Castle Garden Day Nursery provides good quality care for children. The premises overall are well maintained and good use is made of staff, resources and space. Useful records are kept that are securely stored and confidentiality is maintained.The recruitment procedures in place ensure that staff appointed have the skills and experience to do the job. Staff are safety conscious, equipment and resources are checked as used, and high standards of hygiene are maintained. Staff are aware of their duties and responsibilities to child protection and the procedures to follow.The meals provided are of a high standard and consideration is given to individual needs, mealtime routines need to be reviewed to ensure that all children benefit from this experience. Staff are aware of the individual needs of the children and communicate with parents in order that appropriate and consistent care is provided. A stimulating and well balanced range of activities are provided that are

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How good is the Day Care?

age appropriate and that enable children to develop in all areas of their development.A keyworker system is in place, each keyworker is responsible for keeping children's individual files up to date and for planning activities to move children onto the next stage in their development. The provision lacks resources that reflect the society we live in. Behaviour is handled consistently throughout the

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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 provision, staff promote good behaviour through positive praise and encouragement. A warm welcoming environment is provided for parents and children. The nursery promotes good partnership with parents, communication is good, information given is clear, friendly and informative.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the nursery agreed to; - use appropriate restraints in high and low chairs for children, safety harnesses are now being used. - make sure that the temperature in the fridge in the baby room is appropriate, this is now recorded and monitored daily. - make sure that clearly defined procedures for emergency evacuation of the building are in place, these are now in place, fire escapes are clearly labelled, written fire evacuation procedure is on display in each room and monthly fire evacuation drills take place. Staff sign a document to say they have taken part, record how many children were in attendance and how long it took to evacuate the building.

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What is being done well?

- The Nursery provides menu's that are varied, nutritious, well planned, considering the individual needs of the children, parents are informed and plans are incorporated into themes and festivals throughout the provision.( standard 8) - The Nursery makes good use of staff, space and resources, babies start at one end of the building, moving to room next door and on through to pre-school, staff are able to move easliy between rooms, equipment can easily be exchanged.( standard 2) - The Nursery provides a stimulating and well balanced range of activities that are age appropriate and enable children to develop in all areas of their development. Staff are aware of individual needs, and are familiar with what children and parents need.(standard 3 ) - The nursery staff promote good behaviour through positive praise and encouragement, this is consistent throughout the provision.( standard 11) - All staff receive First Aid training within three months of appointment. High

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What is being done well?

standards of hygiene are maintained throughout the provision. ( standard 7) - The Nursery promotes positive partnership with parents, communication is good, information given is clear, friendly and informative. Notice boards are used well, parents are greeted, relevant and appropriate information is gathered to ensure consistent care.( standard 12)

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What needs to be improved?

- ensure that resources reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability throughout the provision. (standard 9) - ensure that outdoor areas are free of dust, weeds and dead foliage.( standard 4) - ensure that mealtimes are organised in a way that will encourage child participation, create independence and meet individual needs.( standard 3)

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Outcome of the 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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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 3 Ensure that mealtimes are organised in a way that will encourage child participation, create independence and meet individual needs. 4 Ensure that outdoor areas of free of dust, weeds and dead foliage. 9 Ensure that resources reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability throughout the provision.

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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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How effective is the nursery education?

Children are making Generally Good progress towards the Early Learning Goals (ELGS). They are interested, excited and motivated to learn. They spontaneously use good manners during play and at meal times. They make very good progress in Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Knowledge and Understanding of the World and Creative Development. Children have access to an excellent range of media and materials, create wallpaper as part of a Where we Live theme and use their imagination throughout their play. The quality of teaching is generally good. Staff seek advice from Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership ( EYDCP) mentor as they have not accessed direct training courses on curriculum planning and evaluation, or routines which at times inhibit learning . Staff work well as a team, creating a calm atmosphere in which children learn. They talk and listen to the children, extending their knowledge and learning ,age appropriately along the

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How effective is the nursery education?

stepping stones to ELGS, except in maths when some opportunities are missed. Children's respect for resources is not consistently promoted with the storage of books. They have inconsistent opportunities to develop gross motor skills on large climbing and balancing equipment. Staff have an understanding of children's individual and special educational needs and monitor accordingly. Staff have started to complete children's development records and plan focus activities to address developmental needs. This requires extending to all areas of learning. Children's spiritual , moral ,social and cultural is fostered appropriately. Leadership and management is generally good. The new owners have recruited a new manager and support is provided for the pre-school staff. Partnerships with parents is very good. They have access to good quality information about the setting and the curriculum. They are invited to open evenings and have opportunities to discuss their child's

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What is being done well?

Children are making very good progress in Personal ,Social and Emotional Development , Knowledge and Understanding of the World and Creative Development. Children move with confidence and an awareness of personal safety around the playrooms and outdoor play areas and have good fine motor skills. Leadership and management and quality of teaching is generally good as staff seek and act upon advice from the EYDCP mentor and company training team ,as they have not accessed direct training in some areas. They recognise there are deficiencies in planning and evaluation. The partnership with parents is very good, they have access to very comprehensive information, some have attended a presentation on the stepping stones to the ELGS, and parents can discuss their child's progress at any time.

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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 Children's understanding of respect for property such as books. Children's mathematical knowledge consistently extended by staff. Children's opportunities to access equipment regularly to fully develop their gross motor skills. Staff evaluation of routine and planned activities to ensure the deficiencies in these areas are addressed to ensure children have sufficient challenge.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The improvement to the setting since the previous inspection is generally good. New ownership and recruitment of a new manager has led to development of a recent action plan which is evaluated on an ongoing basis. Children now have regular opportunities to write during play and use their own imagination in art and crafts. Staff have been provided with a new development and assessment system to address the issues of development, but still require more resources to develop maths and training in planning and evaluation to ensure children have sufficient challenge.

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What has improved since the last 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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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are interested, excited and motivated to learn. They are confident, have a good understanding of what is right and wrong and use good manners during play, at snack and meal times. They show excitement when playing What time is it Mr Wolf ?and share experiences when discussing a snail found during outdoor play. Children have a good understanding of their local and wider community through topics which include Where We Live , extended to making maps of Great Britain .

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children interact and negotiate with each other and adults. They listen to adults and respond to questions at Letterland and group times, when concentration is often stretched beyond limits. Children have many opportunities to see print and mark make during free and structured play. Play with toy dinosaurs is extended by staff providing text books for research and labels on two displays are written by children. Respect for resources is not always promoted due to the poor presentation of books.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children use an increasing knowledge of mathematical language throughout free and structured play. They count down from 10-1 blast off when jumping outdoors. They have opportunities to learn mathematical concepts, weigh and measure during baking and a wide range of themes and planned activities .Children 's knowledge is not consistently extended by staff such as during meal times or with activities due to lack of resources, but has increased since the previous inspection .

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children have many opportunities to explore, investigate, design and make during play. They make wallpaper as part of the Where We Live theme. They have a good understanding of time, place and the wider community from the range of resources, themes and topics staff plan. Children are developing many skills using a computer and programmable resources, including a Polaroid camera used to take a photograph of the castle in the nursery garden . They go out to the park and local library.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children move with confidence and an awareness of personal safety around the playroom and outdoor play area. They have developed good fine motor skills from using the wide range of equipment and resources. They build with construction toys and cut out with increasing dexterity. They pour dry sand and help themselves to drinks of water. Outdoors children have limited opportunities to develop gross motor

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 skills on large climbing and balancing equipment on a regular basis.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children have access to an excellent range of media and materials and their work is valued on the many displays around the playrooms. They create both two and three dimensionally. They respond to music and specific tunes for tidy up times and enthusiastically use their imagination throughout their play. They dress up to go to a party, travel on a bus and dance on arrival. They write lists as they order food on the telephone in the role play area.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered appropriately: Y

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

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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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

1. Ensure children's understanding of respect for property such as books is developed. 2. Ensure children's mathematical knowledge is consistently extended by staff. 3. Ensure children's opportunities to access equipment to fully develop their gross motor skills is regularly provided. 4. Ensure staff evaluation of routine and planned activities are addressed to ensure children have sufficient and appropriate challenge.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO 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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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 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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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

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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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