Fawn & Fern Woodland Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 09/06/2003 Inspector Name Judith Margaret Reed

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SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name Bracken Place Day Nursery Setting Address 3 Bracken Place Southampton Hampshire SO16 3NG

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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

Bracken Place Day Nursery is located in Chilworth, Southampton, close to the motorway. The nursery is surrounded by its own private grounds and woodland. The nursery offers care to children aged under five years old. It is open Monday to Friday from 8.00 am. until 6.00 pm for 51 weeks a year. The nursery is registered to provide places for fifty two children aged between nought and five years. There are currently sixty two children on the register. Fifteen children attend that are in receipt of Nursery Education funding. Eleven staff work with the children. All have received training that is relevant to Early Years Care and Education and the nursery has a policy of providing regular staff training. The nursery currently has no funded children who have English as an additional language, but has two younger children who they support. Children with special needs are supported as the group have a SENCO who has also received relevant training.

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How good is the Day Care?

Bracken Place Day Nursery provides good quality care for children aged under five years. The nursery provides a wide range of activities within a warm and welcoming environment. Good use is made of the space available and the staff are suitably deployed. The children relate well to one another. The current staff are well qualified and experienced. The environment is warm and welcoming, and the space is organised to meet the needs of the children. A wide range of toys and equipment promote learning in all age groups. All paperwork is reviewed regularly, although some needs more detail and additions. Staff are aware of health and safety regulations, and most security arrangements are satisfactory. Children are offered a range of healthy meals and snacks, but more drinks should be available, particularly in warm weather. The nursery has some resources that reflect equal opportunities, but they need to be available to the children. All children are valued within the

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How good is the Day Care?

nursery and the staff are trained in child protection. Although most staff relate well to the children at all times, additional care needs to be taken by staff in some areas to use every opportunity to interact and communicate with children. The children relate well to one another. The management and staff work closely with parents to ensure children are looked after according to the wishes of their parents. Staff communicate

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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 well with parents, and meet regularly.

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What is being done well?

The nursery has qualified and experienced staff, who are deployed effectively and make good use of the space available. There are procedures for appointing new staff, and effective induction procedures. All staff have appropriate First Aid training. (Standard 2) The nursery provides a wide range of activities and equipment for children appropriate to their age. (Standard 3) The nursery provides healthy and nutritious meals and snacks, and are aware of the dietary needs of the children. (Standard 8) The nursery staff value all children and offer appropriate care to children with special needs. (Standard 10) The nursery has a effective behaviour management policy and staff are trained in behaviour management. There are appropriate policies and procedures in place relating to child protection issues. (Standard 11) The nursery ensures that staff and parents work closely. (Standard 12)

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What needs to be improved?

the responses of staff to the children in Waddlers group; (Standard 3) opportunities for the children to access equipment and choose from the range of activities;(Standard 5) the monitoring of all children who are sleeping, at regular intervals; (Standard 6) the security of building by ensuring parents always close the door on leaving; (Standard 6) the recording of information relating to registers, accidents, and administration of medication, to ensure that adequate details are maintained and confidentiality is upheld.(Standard 14)

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 6 ensure all children sleeping are monitored at regular intervals..

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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 6 ensure that the security of the front door is maintained at all times. 3 ensure staff respond to the children at all times (particularly in the Waddlers room). 5 ensure children are able to access toys and equipment easily, and they are able to choose from a variety of activities. 14 the recording of information relating to registers, accidents and administration of medication, to ensure that adequate details are maintained and confidentiality is upheld.

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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?

Bracken Place Day Nursery is a caring and welcoming nursery. Provision is acceptable but has significant areas for improvement. Children's progress towards the early learning goals is limited by some significant weaknessess. The quality of teaching has some significant weaknessess. Staff treat the children with respect and concern. Children are interested in learning and enjoy a variety of activities provided for all areas of learning. However, there needs to be increased opportunities for children to use programmable toys and have access to a wider range of tools. In addition children need additional opportunities to develop their writing skills and to recognise numbers and begin to solve simple number problems. Planning and assessment need to be consistent to ensure that children receive sufficient challenge in their learning opportunities. There are no funded children with special educational needs or for whom English is an additional language. Leadership and

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How effective is the nursery education?

management is generally good. The proprietor and manager are committed to improving care and education for all children as are all the staff. There needs to be a monitoring system to ensure that the nursery education provided is effective. The partnership with parents and carers is generally good. Parents are kept well informed of the planning and curriculum. They are encouraged to be involved with their children's learning.

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What is being done well?

Children's personal, social and emotional development is generally good. They are confident and relate well to each other and adults. The children use spoken language well. They are confident speakers and enjoy sharing books and singing songs. Children are curious and enjoy exploring and investigating with a wide range of materials. A good range of resources and materials provides a good basis for children's learning. The successful partnership with parents ensures that they are involved in their children's learning.

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What needs to be improved?

opportunities to use programmable toys and a wider variety of tools, in their play activities, to support and extend their learning; consistency of planning and assessment systems to ensure that all funded children receive sufficient challenge in their learning opportunities, enabling them to fulfil their full potential; a monitoring system to evaluate the provision for nursery education; opportunities for children to develop their writing skills, recognise numbers and to begin to solve simple number problems.

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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: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in personal, social and emotional development. They have good levels of self esteem and are confident. Behaviour is generally good and children learn to negotiate and take turns. They relate well to adults and each other. They learn about people who help them. However, they need more opportunities to practise their independence in everyday activities.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in communication, language and literacy. They are confident speakers and engage in conversation with adults including those less well known to them. They listen well and enjoy rhymes and sharing books in small and large groups. Children are beginning to recognise sounds of letters and words. However,there is little opportunity for children to develop their writing skills during their play.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Significant Weaknesses There are significant weaknesses in the children's progress in mathematical development. Children are confident in counting to five. They learn about shape, position and problem solving when taking part in games and completing puzzles. Although the nursery is well resourced, there is little mathematical activity in the plans. Children are not sufficiently challenged in planned or everyday activities to develop their recognition of numbers or to begin to solve simple number problems.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in knowledge and understanding of the world. They are curious and enjoy exploring and investigating with a range of materials. They talk about their own lives and are beginning to know about other cultures and beliefs other than their own. However they lack opportunities to use IT equipment or programmable toys.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in physical development. They move confidently and with increasing control when using large equipment. They show an awareness of a range of healthy practises with regard to hygiene. However, there is a lack of variety or challenge when using tools.

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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 Children make generally good progress in creative development. They have a variety of opportunities to explore colour, texture, shape and form using a wide range of resources. Children enjoy simple songs and rhymes and know them well. Children are however, unable to express their own thoughts or creative ideas when taking part in some activities which are very adult directed.

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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 but has some significant areas for improvement. Children progress towards the early learning goals is limited by some significant weaknesses. The next inspection will take place in one to two years time.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

increase the opportunities for children to use programmable toys and a variety of tools in their play activities to support and extend their learning. increase the opportunities for children to develop their writing skills, recognise numbers and to begin to solve simple number problems. implement a consistent approach to planning the Foundation stage and assessing the progress of children towards the early learning goals, ensuring that children receive sufficient challenge in their learning opportunities. use a monitoring system to evaluate the provision for 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

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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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