East Leake Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 19/11/2003 Inspector Name Alexandra Brouder

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care, Out of School Day Care Setting Name East Leake Day Nursery and Pre-School Setting Address Castle Hill East Leake Loughborough Leicestershire LE12 6LU

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Early Years Childcare Group Address Manor Farm Castle Hill East Leake Loughborough Leicestershire LE12 6LU

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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

East Leake Day Nursery opened to provide full day care in 1996, and went on to provide out of school care and a holiday club in 2001. The nursery operates from a number of areas within buildings sited on Manor Farm, East Leake. The nursery also have access to a kitchen, toilets, an office, laundry, staff facilities and a large outdoor play area. The nursery is registered to provide 82 places, and the out of school club 25 places for children aged under eight years. There are currently 137 children on roll. The group are registered to receive funding for children aged three and four-years-old. Currently there are 25 three-year-olds and 21 four-year-olds in receipt of nursery eduaction grant funding. There are currently three children attending who have Special Educational Needs. The nursery has also supported children for whom English is an additional language. The nursery is open five days a week, Monday to Friday for 50 weeks a year. The

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Information about the setting

opening hours are 07:30 to 18:00. The out of school club also operates Monday to Friday, from 15:30 to 18:00, term time and 07:30 to 18:00 during school holidays. There are 30 staff working at the nursery, 17 of these hold qualifications in early years with other staff members currently attending on-going training. Training is accessed through the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and in-house training through a relevant training organisation.

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How good is the Day Care?

East Leake Day Nursery provides good quality care for children. The nursery provides children with a warm and caring environment in which children are happy and content. Staff are approachable and most hold relevant child care qualifications. Space is used well and children are able to access all available areas with confidence. Documentation is thorough and covers all aspects of the nursery. All rooms have an individual operational plan, in addition to the nurseries policies and procedures. The nursery generally take appropriate action to ensure that all staff and

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 volunteers complete clearance procedures. Health and safety is good. Staff are aware of their responsibilities and check areas, and equipment, that the children access, daily. Staff maintain all records as required and are updated on changes immediately. However, formal risk assessments are under review and are not yet fully implemented. Good personal hygiene is encouraged for all children. All children are valued and staff support children very well who have special needs and disabilities. The children in some areas of the nursery do not have regular opportunities to explore other cultures or beliefs. Children have access to a good selection of appropriate toys and activities in all areas of the nursery. Staff know children well and are able to provide for their

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How good is the Day Care?

individual needs, ensuring that more able children have sufficient challenges to enable them to progress. Staff treat all children fairly and have high expectations for behaviour. Positive praise and encouragement are used well and because of this, children's behaviour is good. Partnerships with parents and carers is good. Staff provide them with useful written information on the running of the nursery and the curriculum. Younger children have written information recorded about their day whilst information for older children is shared verbally with parents and carers.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The group have developed their sick children policy to include the exclusion of children from the group who become ill or are infectious. This ensures that any child at the group is less likely to be exposed to any illness for longer than is necessary. This document is shared with parents and carers so that they are aware of the procedures. It also includes information on contacting parents and carers should their child become ill whilst at the group. At the previos inspection hazardous chemicals were accessible to children. These have now been removed out of children's reach and are stored safely.

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What is being done well?

• A good range of interesting and well-presented activities helps children develop their thinking, imagination, social relationships and physical skills. Staff spend time talking and listening to children, helping them express their feelings and emotions. • Planning for sessions is good with staff effectively deployed ensuring the smooth running of sessions which has a positive impact on the care of children. • Staff support children well who have special needs and disabilities. They support the parents and carers and work closely with outside agencies to ensure that the needs of children can be met. • There are good opportunities for children to explore the natural environment within the secure rural setting.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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What needs to be improved?

• the procedures to ensure that all staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children • risk assessments to be further developed to take account of any recurring accidents •• opportunities for all children to explore other cultures and beliefs.

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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 1 Ensure the suitability of all adults working with children is established, and vetting procedures, which include a criminal records check are completed for all staff and volunteers. 6 Ensure that risk assessments are reviewed if there are significant changes and accident records used to identify potential hazards. 9 Ensure that children in all areas of the nursery are given opportunities to explore other cultures and beliefs on a meaningful basis.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

The East Leake Day Nursery offers an attractive and stimulating environment where children show enthusiasm for learning through play. The children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals, and the development within the area of personal, social and emotional development is particularly good. The quality of teaching is very good overall. The staff have a sound understanding of the Foundation Stage and curriculum planning provides children with a wide range of interesting activities, which offer a good balance of adult led and child led opportunities. However, there are limited opportunities for children to explore other cultures and beliefs on a regular basis. Assessments are used effectively to enable children to develop to their full potential. These are used to set appropriate challenges for all. The staff are very successful in meeting the needs of children with special educational needs, ensuring that they provide an inclusive environment. All

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How effective is the nursery education?

children are able to take part in the activities. Ratios are maintained well and allow for individual and small group work. Staff explain activities clearly, and questions are used that encourage children to think, and extend on what they already know. Sessions are organised well. Leadership and management of the setting is very good. The leader and staff work well as a team and this enables them to provide good quality provision overall, for the parents and children that use the nursery. The use of a development plan enables staff to evaluate current practice, and take action when required. There is provision for all staff to attend on-going training opportunities. The partnership between parents and carers is generally good. Parents receive good information, verbal and written, about the nursery and their children. There are some opportunities for parents to discuss their child's progress, both formally and

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What is being done well?

• Children are happy, interested and confident. They have access to a range of interesting activities and resources which support their play and learning in most areas. • Leadership and management systems are very successful in maintaining the good quality of the provision. The staff work together very well as a team and attend regular training. • The staff plan and present a good variety of activities offering interesting and inviting play opportunities for children with effective staff interaction to support and extend children's development. • Children's writing is developing well. There are many opportunities used daily for children to mark make for a purpose.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • Children's personal and social development is very good. They are confident in their dealings with staff and each other and often show sustained interest in their play and activities. • Staff set positive and consistent expectations for children's behaviour, helping them to show care and concern for each other and their environment.

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What needs to be improved?

• children's free access to resources that positively promote other cultures and beliefs; • opportunities for formal sharing of children's learning with parents and carers.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Information in the prospectus for parents and carers has been developed. This now includes detailed information on the programme for children's learning and the curriculum used. Enabling parents and carers to have a greater understanding of how the activities provided at the nursery help their children learn. The nursery have continued to develop the planning and assessment system to ensure that they can evaluate and plan to help children reach the next stage in their learning.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children develop confident relationships with adults and peers and often show sustained interest in a varied range of activities. They are beginning to learn that people have different needs and lifestyles which need to be treated with respect. Children respond well to the positive and consistent expectations for their behaviour and show care and concern for each other and their surroundings. Children share and take turns well.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are able to negotiate and express their ideas. They access a very good range of purposeful opportunities to develop their understanding of linking sounds and letters. Most children are able to write their name and recognise some letters of the alphabet. They take a keen interest in books and have written their own stories with some adult support. Children are able to mark make in a variety of ways and situations, which help to extend their abilities.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are able to use numbers in every day situations and activities. They are confident in their ability and show that they understand size and shape through practical activities. They recognise and can count reliably numbers 1-10, with more able children counting up to 20 or more. They are developing an understanding of addition and subtraction through a variety of practical and fun activities. Children show enjoyment in their knowledge of mathematics.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children have access to a computer and are able to use it well under direct supervision or independently. The rural setting of the nursery and extensive grounds enables children to explore and investigate the natural world. Children are developing a sense of time and participate in activities that explore the past. Children have many opportunities to design and build and do so competently. Children have some opportunities to learn about other cultures but these are limited.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move confidently and in safety and have many opportunities to develop their large motor skills through climbing frames, balancing beams and bikes. Their fine motor skills are good and they handle scissors, pegs and glue sticks well. Their hand-eye co-ordination is good and they are able to put paper together with paper clips and weave. Children are aware of their own physical needs such as needing a drink and staff discuss healthy practices with them.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children explore colour, texture and shape through a variety of two and three-dimensional activities. They use their imagination when painting and in using small world equipment, and take an active part in role play. Children enjoy listening to different styles of music and sing songs from memory. They explore sounds when using their own musical instruments. They are introduced to a variety of materials and use their senses accordingly.

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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very 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

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following: • ensure that the programme for children to explore other cultures and beliefs is developed further.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

The provider must draw up an action plan within 40 working days of receipt of this report showing how the key issues detailed above will be addressed. The action plan must be made available to all parents and to the Local Authority if required. An evaluation of the action taken will form part of the next inspection of funded nursery education.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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