St Lawrence's Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 12/07/2004 Inspector Name Lesley Jane Bott

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name ST LAWRENCE'S DAY NURSERY Setting Address OLD SCHOOL CHURCH CLOSE,GNOSALL STAFFORD STAFFORDSHIRE

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REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

St Lawrence's Day Nursery registered in 1999 and is registered to provide full day care for 50 children. It is open all year from 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday. The day nursery operates from a Victorian building that used to be the local school in the village of Gnosall. The nursery is divided into four age ranges: six weeks-one year, one-two years, two-three years, three-eight years. The nursery has an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play and has use of suitable toilets and kitchen facilities. The nursery offers a before and after school service to parents of children who use the nursery. Staff members take the children to and collect from St Lawrence primary school. The nursery currently has 20 funded 3-year-old children and receives support from an early years teacher from the local early years partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

St. Lawrence's Day Nursery provides satisfactory care for children. The setting is safe, clean and tidy. Children have clear routines that help them feel secure and give them opportunity to extend their personal independence. Security of the building needs to be maintained at all times. A good variety and range of toys and equipment for children is available, which they can choose themselves. Staff support and extend children during their play and know the children well. Good hygiene procedures are in place with the children, however, this needs to be extended for children to wash their hands before eating, in particular at snack times. Nursery staff need to seek advice from Environmental Health Officer on the correct procedure for the disposal of nappies.

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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 Relationships are very good with parents and the nursery has a friendly approach. Children are very happy and settled and parents kept well informed with written and verbal feedback daily from staff.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

All of the actions raised at the last inspection have been addressed. Amendments have been made to policies and staff's awareness has improved through addressing the issues at staff meetings.

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What is being done well?

• Staff are undertaking training to ensure they exceed the requirements for qualifications. The manager ensures that ongoing training is available to maintain staff skill levels. • Children have the opportunity to be involved in a suitable range of activities. They are given choices, their interests taken into account and have a good nursery/home link. • Behaviour management is discussed with parents and children are encouraged to behave well. They respond well when being asked to share and take turns. • A good partnership exists with parents. The nursery ensures that the children are cared for in accordance with parents wishes and both written and verbal feedback is given to parents at the end of the day.

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What needs to be improved?

• complaints procedure to include Ofsted's name and address details within the process • secure premises to ensure children are unable to leave unsupervised • ventilation and extraction within the nappy changing area • hygiene procedures to be adopted in particular before eating • old and damaged equipment to be replaced or thrown out.

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Outcome of the 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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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 4 Ensure nappy changing facilities are maintained to environmental health criteria. 6 Make sure that premises are secure and that children are unable to leave them unsupervised. 7 Ensure good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing. 12 Make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint.

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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?

St. Lawrence's Day Nursery offers good quality provision overall which helps children make generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is generally good. Staff are developing a knowledge of the foundation stage which enables them to organise activities that are suited to the children's age. A variety of practical activities are planned for the sessions. Children experience a good balance of activities and work with adults or alone. Opportunities for children to explore and investigate the world around them. Weight and capacity in Maths is missed. Staff question children to develop their thinking and learning skills during planned and spontaneous activities. There are currently no children with special education needs or English as an additional language attending, however there is an effective system in place to offer appropriate support. The system for assessing the children's next steps is still to be developed. Children

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How effective is the nursery education?

behave well in response to high expectations and the nursery has a very good range of equipment to cover all areas of learning. The organisation of the outside area allows children to be provided with interesting imaginative activities. The leadership and management of the nursery is generally good. Staff are clear about their roles and work well together as a team. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents are well informed about their children's progress and are involved in their children's education. Regular newsletters and a prominent notice board ensures parents are kept up to date with activities and current topics.

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What is being done well?

• Staff provide good opportunities for children to link sounds of letters and recognise their own name. • Children are becoming increasingly independent and able to take care of their own personal needs. • Children speak clearly and fluently as a result of the staff's consistent interest and engagement in their play and conversations.

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What needs to be improved?

• the effectiveness of planning and assessment to help staff plan the children's next steps in learning.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • the use of resources to increase children's understanding of weight and capacity. • the opportunity to investigate objects and materials using all senses.

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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's confidence and self esteem are built up by staff who know the children well. They are encouraged to be independent and carry out tasks themselves. Children behave well, they are encouraged to take turns and share. Children have good relationships with staff and link home and nursery together well with topics.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children enjoy listening to stories and sharing books with staff and each other. Children respond well to sound prompts and are able to recognise their first name and are beginning to make marks and write. They use descriptive language to express feelings and talk confidently in groups, show and tell at circle time.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children benefit from good support and can count meaningfully to 10 and recognise shapes, colours and sizes. Their understanding of numbers is reinforced as they take part in routine tasks such as working out the date or laying the table for lunch. The potential to develop their awareness of weight and capacity is not sufficiently exploited through the use of resources.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children do not have the opportunity to use all their senses to explore and investigate. All children competently use the computer to support their learning as part of routine activities. Children talk about their environment and changes in the weather and have opportunity to go on walks to the village. Children understand about past events and are enthusiastic about the wedding topic.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are able to move with control and co-ordination inside and out. They have a sense of space and are aware of staying healthy. Children have use of a range of tools, particularly small equipment which they are showing increasing control.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children easily differentiate between colours and confidently explore texture and shape. They use their imagination during role play and use expression through movement, this is extended in their drawing and painting. Children show an interest in music and enjoy using musical instruments.

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

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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 good quality overall. Children are making generally 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: THE KEY ISSUES

• Key Issues: • Evaluate and improve the assessment of children's progress to use the information gained from assessments to plan how children move to the next stage in their learning.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

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: THE KEY ISSUES

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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