Norcot Early Years Centre

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 01/03/2005 Inspector Name Denise Blackwell

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Out of School Day Care, Full Day Care Setting Name Norcot Early Years Centre Setting Address 82 Lyndhurst Road Tilehurst Reading Berkshire RG30 6UB

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Norcot Early Years Centre

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Norcot Early Years Centre Address 82 Lyndhurst Road Tilehurst Reading Berkshire RG30 6UB

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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

Norcott Early Years Centre is located in Tilehurst, a suburb of Reading, Berkshire. Norcott Early Years Centre consists of a maintained nursery school, a day care centre and an out of school club. The centre serves the local community. The centre provides full day care for 50 children from birth to eight years of age in the Waterside building, and out of school care for 45 children aged from three to eight years of age, in either the Hillside or Meadowside building. The day care centre is situated in a single storey, open-plan, purpose built building, with an enclosed outdoor area. The out of school club runs in one of the nursery school buildings which also have enclosed outdoor play areas. The day care centre is open from 8.00 to 18.00, all year round except for the Christmas holiday, bank holidays and inset days. The out of school club is open from 8.00 to 18.00 during school holiday periods except Christmas. There are currently 78

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Information about the setting

children on roll at the day care centre, who attend for a variety of sessions. There are currently 14 members of staff in the day care centre who work directly with the children, or manage childcare staff, all of whom have early years and childcare qualifications. Five of these members of staff with a level two qualification are working towards a level three qualification. The out of school club is managed by the Outreach Officer, who has a level three qualification.

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How good is the Day Care?

Norcott Early Years Centre provides good quality care for children. The day care centre is warm and welcoming, and provides a secure environment in which children feel at ease. Space is well organised to enable children to move between areas safely. Rigorous recruitment procedures ensure that staff have the skills and knowledge needed and staff induction arrangements ensure staff are well prepared to work with the children. Plans are effective in ensuring that there are sufficient staff, and that space and resources are used well to support children's development. Risk assessments ensure staff are well informed of possible dangers. Staff are safety conscious and explain to the children why there are some things they should not do such as running indoors. Staff act as good role models and encourage

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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 to have safe hygiene practices. The children are provided with a varied diet of good, healthy, nutritious food. Resources reflect the diversity of society and the local area. All children have the opportunity and are encouraged to take part in activities. The centre has developed good partnerships with other professionals, which ensures children are well supported and individual needs met. There is a wide variety of interesting and stimulating play materials which provide a balanced range of activities to promote children's development. Children are able to choose what they want to do. There is good interaction between children and adults, who encourage and question the children to extend their learning. Children's behaviour is good. They are praised and encouraged by staff and are learning what

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How good is the Day Care?

is acceptable behaviour. The centre has good relationships with parents. Parents are given a clear and informative handbook about the day care centre, but it does not include details about the complaints and child protection procedures. Parents are kept well informed about their child's progress and are made to feel welcome.

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What is being done well?

• Provision for children under 15 months is very good. Staff give excellent attention to meeting the children's individual needs for eating and sleeping. They plan activities well to give the children interesting sensory experiences such as painting, and their calm and confident approach reassures and settles children who are upset or tired. • There is a strong emphasis on meeting individual needs throughout the centre. Children with special needs are well supported to take part in all activities. Resources are provided which reflect the diverse area and backgrounds from which the children come. • Children take part in a wide range of activities. They can choose what they want to do and all equipment is stored in child height units so that children can access it easily. Activities are chosen and led by the children and are well supported by the staff. • The centre employs a cook who makes fresh and nutritious meals each day

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What is being done well?

such as roast beef and vegetables or cauliflower cheese, to promote healthy eating habits. Children are provided with a healthy snack and older children are encouraged to be independent in choosing when they want their snack, and how much they want to eat. • Children are able to move between the different areas in the centre and are not confined to their own age group. Freedom of choice is also extended to the outdoor area. Children can choose if, and when, they want to play outside, and are provided with protective equipment such as umbrellas depending on the weather conditions.

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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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An aspect of outstanding practice:

The outdoor play area provides a wealth of exciting and imaginative learning opportunities for the children. They can smell and feel the different plants, and create their own physical challenges in the play area. Planting in the different areas in the garden reflects different countries in the world such as Australia and Africa and the centre has plans to include wooden animal figures in each country area.

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What needs to be improved?

• The accessibility of the complaints and child protection procedures for parents

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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 12 ensure parents are easily able to access the complaints procedure and child protection procedure for the centre.

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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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