Lighthouse Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 10/06/2003 Inspector Name Donna Suzanne Lancaster

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care, Out of School Day Care Setting Name Lighthouse Day Nursery Setting Address 34 Yarm Road Stockton-on-Tees TS18 3NG

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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

Lighthouse Day Care operates full day care for children aged six months to eight years. The nursery opened in September 1995. Lighthouse nursery operates from three rooms in a multi purpose building. The premises are situated near to Stockton-on-Tees town centre. It has its own identified rooms and entrances. The facility serves the local and surrounding areas. There are currently 48 children aged from six months to eight years on roll. There are seven funded three year old children attending. Children attend for a variety of sessions. There is one child attending who has special needs and no children with English as an additional language. Lighthouse day care is open five days a week 51 weeks a year excluding bank holidays. Sessions are from 8.00 am to 5.30 pm. There are eight members of staff working with the children, all but one have childcare qualifications. There are three members of staff currently on training

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Information about the setting

programmes. The nursery have a support teacher from the E.Y.D.C.P

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How good is the Day Care?

Lighthouse Day Care provides good quality care for children aged six months to eight years. All staff but one have child care qualifications and are continually updating their knowledge through recent external and in-house training. The premises are warm and welcoming and children feel secure and happy. There is a good selection of appropriate play materials available which are easily accessible by the children. Staff ensure children are safe inside and outside the setting. Risk assessments are completed on a daily basis. Staff promote the good health of children by encouraging them to wash their hands. Routines for eating and resting are focused

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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 around children's individual needs, particularly in the baby room. Meals and Snacks are regular varied and nutritious and there is good communication with parents with regard to individual dietary requirements. Child protection procedures are in place and this includes procedures for allegations against a member of staff. Staff have good relationships with the children, they talk and play with them and help them learn. Developmental records are maintained for all children attending the Day Care Centre. Children with special needs are supported well and they are encouraged to take part in all nursery activities. Parents are welcomed into the setting and there is a parental involvement policy in place and responses from questionnaires indicate they have a good relationship with

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How good is the Day Care?

the staff and are happy with the care provided and the range of activities offered.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the proprietor and manager agreed to ensure operational plan is in place, register for nursery must record times of arrival and departure, ensure driving licence for Alex Patterson is forwarded to Leeds Regional Centre, ensure written parental permission is obtained to transport children in a vehicle, ensure parental permission is obtained to seek medical treatment and advice, ensure children's health needs are recorded on information sheets(after school), ensure prior written permission is obtained to administer medication (after school),ensure policy for sick children is in place(after school) ensure bullying is included in written behaviour policy, ensure written procedure for lost children or children whose parents fail to collect them. All actions have been completed through a total revamp of all the nurseries policies and procedures.

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What is being done well?

• Staff from both the nursery and after school care have attended a wide range of training opportunities.(standard 2) • Operational plan for both settings have clear aims and objectives and are clear and concise. (standard 2) • Staff have good relationships with the children. They talk and play with them and provide activities to encourage them to learn. (standard 3) • There is a good range of play materials both indoors and outdoors, which is appropriate to the ages and stages of the children attending. (standard 5) • There is a strong emphasis on providing resources which promote positive images of culture, ethnicity and gender. (standard 5 & 9) • Staff managements of children's behaviour is calm and appropriate to the ages and stages of the children attending. (standard 11) • All documentation, records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are now in place

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

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What needs to be improved?

• ensure the registration arrangements show when staff are present; (standard 2 ) • ensure the visitors book is maintained at all times. (standard 6)

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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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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

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?

Lighthouse Day Nursery offers good quality provision which helps children make generally good progress towards the early learning goals. Children make generally good progress in their personal, social, emotional, creative, mathematical and physical development and in communication, language and literacy and knowledge and understanding of the world. The quality of teaching is generally good. Staff have an understanding of the foundation stage curriculum and early learning goals and plans and offer a selection of activities to help children learn. Assessment systems are in place and these are used to plan for individual children's development. Procedures are in place for children with special educational needs or with English as an additional language. Leadership and management is generally good. Staff are encouraged and supported to attend further training. Staff meetings are held and all staff are encouraged to put

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How effective is the nursery education?

ideas forward. Supervision sessions for staff are not currently undertaken. Partnership with parents is generally good. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child's learning. Information is shared on a daily basis and parents find staff friendly and approachable.

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What is being done well?

• Staff manage behaviour well and have established good relationships with the children. • Children are able to count confidently and correctly up to nine and are beginning to use numbers in a variety of areas. • Children are beginning to show an interest and learn about the environment in which they live. • Good relationships have been built between parents and staff. • Children listen and respond with enjoyment and attention to stories. • Staff are encouraged to further develop their knowledge by attending training opportunities.

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What needs to be improved?

• the provision of resources to promote development and understanding of information and technology; • the opportunities for children to respond to rhythm and music; • the opportunity for children to develop independence in choosing resources

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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 and activities; • the opportunities and resources for children to develop their writing and mathematical skills; • the information given to parents with regard to the Foundation Stage and Early Learning Goals.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Staff's confidence and knowledge in the use of stepping stones to inform planning.

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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: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in personal, social and emotional development. They relate well to staff and to each other and approach other adults with confidence. Children are well behaved and respond to guidance from staff. Opportunities should be provided to extend all children's personal independence.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children are making generally good progress in communication, language and literacy. Children can use books correctly and with confidence and they enjoy listening to and joining in with stories. However more opportunities should be provided for children to explore and use writing in different ways.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children make generally good progress towards mathematical development. They are beginning to show an interest in numbers and can count reliably up to nine. Children recognise size and shape and can follow simple patterns. Opportunities should be provided to use calculating in other activities.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children are making generally good progress in knowledge and understanding of the world. They learn about the world in which they live through planned activities and outings. They are beginning to use simple tools for a purpose. Children enjoy exploring and asking questions about how and why things work. Opportunities should be provided for children to explore information and technology.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are making generally good progress in physical development. They use a range of large and small equipment well and climb with confidence. They negotiate space well. Children are beginning to use small tools safely and with increasing control. Opportunities should be provided for children to respond to rhythm and music.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in creative development. Children can recognise colours and use drawing for a purpose. They use their imagination well in role play and stories and they express their own ideas freely. More opportunities should be provided for children to explore and access a variety of materials.

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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

• Provide opportunities and resources for children to develop skills in information and technology. • Provide opportunities for children to explore and use writing in different ways and make a variety of materials more accessible.

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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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