Ducklings Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 13/09/2004 Inspector Name Linda McLarty

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Ducklings Day Nursery Setting Address 1 Royal Croft Liverpool Merseyside L12 2BJ

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Carol Butler / Neil Butler Address 9 Farthingstone Close Whiston Prescot Merseyside L35 7LZ

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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

Ducklings Day Nursery opened in 2004. It operates from two rooms in a converted detached property in West Derby area of Liverpool. The day nursery serves the local area. The nursery are registered for 16 children from birth to five years. There are currently 20 children from three months to three years on roll. This includes one funded three year olds. No funded four year olds are on roll at present. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The group can support children have special needs children who speak English as an additional language, though none attend at present. The group opens five days a week all year round. Sessions are from 07:30 to 17:30 Monday to Friday. Five part time and full time staff work with the children. Four have early years qualifications. Two members of staff are currently on training programmes. The setting receives support from a teacher/mentor from the Early Years Development

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How good is the Day Care?

Ducklings Day Nursery provides satisfactory care for children in a caring and supportive environment. The setting is well organised, and management have built a strong staff team, with clearly understood roles and responsibilities. There are effective induction procedures in place, and students clearly benefit from this. All necessary policies and procedures are in place, although some are being revised at present to reflect current legislation. Children's overall development is promoted well, in a calm and happy environment. The children have a well-balanced day which includes quiet and more active periods, and supplemented by regular local outings. They have good quality early science, art and craft experiences, using all their senses. Staff show their enjoyment of children, and build the children's self confidence with praise for effort and achievement, and by the welcoming atmosphere created throughout the nursery.

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How good is the Day Care?

The owner has a wealth of experience in supporting children with special needs. In general, most health and safety policies are implemented well. The new owners

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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 are upgrading the building, and are still working towards addressing some health and safety issues, and finalising changes to the diet. The partnership with parents and carers is a strength of the setting. Management and staff work hard to foster strong home-nursery links which have beneficial effects upon the children's care and learning. Parents are given detailed written information about the provision, and information is exchanged informally but effectively on a daily basis. Good use is made of home/ nursery diaries to help parents understand what younger children are doing in nursery. Parents and carers of older children also appreciate the detailed written information about their children's achievements and progress.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Not applicable, this is a first inspection since registration in 2004.

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What is being done well?

• -Staff interact with the children with warmth, humour and affection, and are enthusiastic and positive in their approach to children, which fosters self-esteem and confidence, and provides a secure basis for future development. • Staff have many effective ways of encouraging children's good behaviour such as clear explanations of reasons and consequences, and consistently modelling courteous behaviour themselves. • Although no children with special needs attend at present, the owner's extensive experience and training means that informed support would be offered. • Parents are well informed about their children's care and education, and good use is made of daily diaries, and written assessments, which inform parents of their children's achievement and progress. • Since the nursery changed ownership in 2004 the new owners have reorganised the documentation efficiently, to describe and inform how they meet the National Standards. A short version of policies and procedures is

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What is being done well?

used well to inform parents and carers about the service offered.

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What needs to be improved?

• the safety arrangements to ensure that the play area is safe from possible hazards resulting from the garden refurbishment, such as the drain, the tree stump, the surplus flags and wind blown debris • the wording on complaints procedure to ensure that it includes Ofsted's contact telephone number and address and refers parents who wish to make a complaint to the regulator, Ofsted. • the arrangements for completing regular written risk assessments on the

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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 premises • the arrangements for ensuring that all fire doors are kept shut • the arrangements for ensuring that anyone responsible for the preparation and handling of food is aware of, and complies with, Environmental Health requirements • the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables in the diet • the arrangements for ensuring that the child protection procedure contains a statement of procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation made against a member of staff.

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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 6 Conduct a risk assessment on the premises identifying action(s) to be taken to minimize identified risks. 6 Make safe the play area by making safe the drain, the tree stump, the paving slabs and removing any wind blown debris prior to children playing in this area. 6 Ensure that all fire doors are kept shut. 7 Ensure that anyone responsible for the preparation and handling of food is aware of, and complies with, Environmental Health requirements. 8 Increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables in the diet. 12 Make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint, which includes the contact address and telephone number of the regulator, Ofsted. 13 Ensure that the child protection procedure for the nursery complies with local Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) procedures, including contact numbers, and contains a statement of procedures to be followed

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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 in the event of an allegation made against a member of staff.

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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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