Blackhorse Primary School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 27/11/2003 Inspector Name Karen Louise Prager

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Leapfrog Day Nursery (Swindon) Setting Address Highdown Way St Andrews Ridge Swindon Wilts SN25 4YD

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Leapfrog Day Nurseries (Trading) Ltd 3229362

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Leapfrog Day Nurseries (Trading) Ltd Address Central Office Second Avenue, Centrum 100 Burton-on-Trent Staffordshire DE14 2WF

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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

Leapfrog Day Nursery opened in 2000. It operates in a purpose built nursery in north Swindon. Children attend from a wide area. There are currently 115 children under five years on roll. This includes three funded 3 year olds and fifteen funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week all year round. Sessions are from 07:00 until 19:00 Seven part-time and twenty two full-time staff work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. Six staff are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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How good is the Day Care?

Leapfrog Day Nursery provides satisfactory care for children. The premises are clean, well maintained, warm and welcoming. Records are securely stored and easily accessible to parents. Organisation of the staff is generally thought through, though there are not always sufficient staff working directly with the children. There are suitable procedures to ensure children are safe within the premises and on outings, and there is good security of the premises. Staff have a sound understanding of children's individual dietary needs and offer healthy, nutritious snacks and meals. Although mealtimes are at times disorganised. Room staff ensure children with special needs are valued, included and their individual needs met. The Special educational needs Co-ordinator has yet to receive training in her roll. Staff use effective methods to promote positive behaviour. They interact

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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 appropriately with the children. The range of multi-cultural resources has increased though it is still restricted and use is not integrated into the children's daily play. Nappy Changing equipment to meet the needs of two-year-olds is limited. There is good information available to the parents about the provision and staff keep parents well informed about their children's development.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Following the last inspection, the group was given the following points to action: Ensure that fire safety certificates are available. Ensure that there is a member of staff within the setting who has the responsibility for behaviour management issues and has the skills to support staff and be able to access expert advice if ordinary methods are not effective with a particular child. Ensure that there is a minimum of 50% staff qualified. Clarify procedures to ensure there is a person in charge at all times. Ensure that appropriate staff clearances are obtained. Ensure that contact details are obtained for liaison with local child protection agencies. Ensure that adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so. The organisation of documentation within the nursery has improved resulting in fire safety certificates now available for inspection and procedures being followed to

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What has improved since the last inspection?

ensure that appropriate clearance for staff are obtained. Staff without suitable clearance do not work unsupervised. Also the local child protection procedures have been obtained containing contact details. A behaviour management co-ordinator has been appointed to have specific responsibility for any related issues throughout the nursery. A training programme is in place to ensure that the responsible person has the necessary skills to offer support and advice and is aware of relevant external agencies where appropriate. Currently the majority of staff hold suitable qualifications, ensuring that there is a minimum of 50% of staff with an appropriate qualification. The nursery also has recruitment and retention policy and a training plan for staff to ensure the appropriate qualifications are undertaken.

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What is being done well?

• Effective methods to promote positive behaviour are used by staff. • Staff keep parents well informed about the provision and their children's

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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 development and welcome feedback from parents. This ensures that the relationship between staff and parents is informed and productive. • Policies and procedures are well thought out regularly reviewed and accessible to all staff, in particular staff use suitable procedures to ensure children are safe within the premises and on outings. • Staff ensure the premises are clean, well maintained, warm, and provide a welcoming setting for the children and parents.

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What needs to be improved?

• Organisation of the staff, to ensure that the required ratio of staff members working with the children is maintained. • Mealtimes, to ensure that all the children's needs are met. • Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator's knowledge of own role and responsibilities. • Range and use of multi-cultural resources. • Equipment for nappy changing, to ensure the needs of younger children are met.

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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 Improve organisation of staff to ensure that there are sufficient numbers working with the children. 3 Improve mealtimes, to ensure needs of all children are met. 5 Ensure that suitable nappy changing equipment is available to meet the needs of the two-year-old 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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