Lilliput Montessori Day Nursery Coalville

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 26/08/2003 Inspector Name David Spencer

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Lilliput Montessori Day Nursery (Coalville) Setting Address Railway House Hotel Street Coalville Leicestershire LE67 3EQ

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Lilliput Day Nurseries Ltd Address Railway House Hotel Street Coalville Leicestershire LE67 3EQ

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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

Lilliput Montessori Day Nursery opened in 1999. It is part of a chain of four in Leicestershire. The nursery is situated in the centre of Coalville, which is situated in the north of the county of Leicestershire. The accommodation is a converted Railway House, which is a listed building. The nursery serves Coalville and the surrounding area. There are currently 54 children aged under five years on the register. This includes 30 funded three and four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery adopts the Montessori method of teaching. The nursery operates a key team system rather than a key worker system. Each team is responsible for the running and organising of separate group rooms. There is a provision for the care of children aged from 5 to 11 years before and after school and during the holidays. The staff have experience of working with children who are designated as having special

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Information about the setting

needs. The nursery opens for five days a week all the year round. Sessions are from 07:30 to 18:00. There are 13 staff who care for the children, 10 of whom have a recognised childcare qualification. The setting receives support from a mentor teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. The nursery is a member of the National Daycare Association (NDA) and is recognised as part of the "Investors in People" scheme.

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How good is the Day Care?

The Lilliput Montessori Nursery provides satisfactory care for children. The nursery is well-organised and the space is used effectively. There are good adult: child ratios in the three rooms. The staff are deployed in teams which ensures consistency of care for the children and helps them to feel settled and secure. There is a structured training programme for the staff. The staff pay careful attention to safety and hygiene and most aspects are satisfactory. There are clear policies for ensuring that the children stay well and for dealing with accidents. The staff get on very well with the children and their interaction with them is good. A wide range of activities is provided to help the children to learn and develop.

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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 however there are some inconsistencies in the quality of planning. The children are encouraged to investigate and to make decisions when choosing and using resources. The nursery works closely with the parents and there is a good exchange of information between them. Opportunities are provided for parents to visit the nursery and to meet staff to discuss the development of their children. There is a good policy for behaviour management which ensures a consistent approach is applied throughout the nursery. A useful range of activities and visits is provided for school age children.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the Registered Person agreed to: develop an operational plan; to ensure that fresh drinking water is readily available for the children; to provide a visitors' book to record times of arrival and departure; and to ensure that driving documentation was available. Jugs of water and beakers are now out so that the children can drink at any time. An operational plan is now in place to further improve the organisation of the nursery. A visitors' book is in use and all driving documentation is kept in a designated folder to help to maintain the safety of the children.

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What is being done well?

• The operational plan helps to ensure that the organisation of staff, space and resources is very good. There is flexibility so that the best possible use is made of the different areas. This helps to ensure that the children have the best possible facilities for their learning and play. • The staff talk to the children and listen to them and help them to develop their language and knowledge through questioning and discussion. • A good range of activities is provided that are appropriate for the age of the children and help them to develop their skills and knowledge. • The nursery works closely with the parents to ensure a high quality of care for the children. There is a good exchange of information with them and opportunities are provided for them to visit the nursery and to meet the staff who are looking after their children.

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What needs to be improved?

• risk assessments for the outside play area and the windows in the out of school room on the first floor; • the consistency of the planning procedures; • the child protection policy.

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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

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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 of the premises, to include the outside play area and the windows in the out of school care room identifying action(s) to be taken to minimize identified risks; 13 ensure that the child protection procedure for the nursery includes procedures for dealing with allegations against staff and complies with local Area Child Protection Committee Procedures.

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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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