The Old Station Nursery - Stratford-upon-Avon

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 14/03/2005 Inspector Name Anne Felicity Taylor

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Polkadot Day Nursery Setting Address Greyswood The Ridgeway Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire CV37 9JL

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Polkadot Day Nurseries Ltd Address Greyswood The Ridgeway Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire CV37 9JL

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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

Polkadot Day Nursery opened in August 2004. It operates from a converted single storey building on the outskirts of Stratford upon Avon close to main routes. A maximum of fifty-three children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08.00 to 18.00 for fifty-one weeks of the year. All children share access to secure enclosed gardens and outdoor play areas. There are currently forty-three children aged from nought to four years on roll. Of these six children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from the local community and the surrounding villages and rural area. Children attend for full day care and sessional care. The setting is able to support children with special educational needs and children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs fourteen staff, twelve of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The setting receives support from the local advisory teacher from the

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Information about the setting

Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Polkadot Day Nursery provides good care for children. Most of the staff who work with the children hold appropriate qualifications in early years. Staff are encouraged and supported to complete short courses and to gain qualifications. Staff work well as a team, supporting each other in the care of the children. There are good procedures in place for appointing and vetting new staff. The staff/child ratio is carefully monitored and children are offered a lot of individual attention. Safety is a high priority and risk assessments have been completed. Fire evacuation procedures are in place and practiced regularly. Staff have first aid training and first aid boxes are fully-stocked. Child protection procedures are in place. There is regular monitoring for sleeping babies. Children are encouraged in good personal hygiene, and aspects of healthy eating and caring for yourself are covered well in general discussion and daily routines.

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How good is the Day Care?

A wide variety of well-maintained, appropriate equipment is available, enabling staff to provide a good range of activities, helping babies and children to develop, learn and have fun. Effective planning ensures children are offered a choice of activities to encourage co-operative, imaginative and creative play. Talking and listening skills are a high priority, with staff valuing the individuality of the children. Outdoor

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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 activities are a feature of the daily routine for all the children, with a covered area, an open play ground and a garden. There are strong relationships between staff and parents, and parents are offered regular opportunities to discuss their child's progress and are welcomed into the setting at any time. Daily diaries are used for babies. Staff are developing a key worker system and regular recording of observations and assessments. Policies and procedures are available to parents. Good communication ensures the individual needs of each child are met very well.

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What is being done well?

• The warm welcoming environment created by staff ensures that children settle quickly to play on arrival. Parents are well informed about daily activities and feel welcome to talk to staff at any time. • Play opportunities include lots of opportunities for outside play. Toddlers enjoy the play house and wheeled equipment and older children like the challenge of getting the balls into the hoops. • Staff know the children and their needs well. Babies and children receive a lot of individual loving care and attention. • The flexible use of the accommodation in all areas of the nursery ensures that children have lots of play space and have opportunities to develop their play and learning, e.g. the computer and graphics area. • The children are offered a variety of healthy drinks and snacks throughout the day, e.g. fruit and bread sticks. A two course freshly prepared lunch is available. Baby meals are all prepared from healthy, fresh ingredients and

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What is being done well?

are appropriate for the needs of the individual baby. All dietary needs are met.

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What needs to be improved?

• the procedure to continue to develop the key worker system including the recording of observations and assessments for individual children.

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

Since registration in August 2004 Ofsted have received 7 complaints against Polkadot Nursery concerning a number of issues in relation to the National Standards for Day Care. Six of the complaints received have been referred to the

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 provider in writing. Of the seven complaints received since registration four were notified to Ofsted in February 2005 and as consequence Ofsted have chosen to investigate the most recent complaint at inspection on 14 March 2005. The complaints were notified to Ofsted from a number of sources and related to staff:child ratios (Standard 2), deployment of staff (Standard 2), staff recruitment concerns (Standard1), minor accidents within the nursery (Standard 7), equal opportunities in child placement (Standard 9) and an incident where a child with a suspected food allergy may have ingested food containing the particular allergen (Standard 8). From the provider's written responses and the supporting documentary evidence provided, Ofsted are of the opinion there was no evidence that the provider

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

was failing to meet the requirements of the National Standards with regard to staff:child ratios, deployment of staff, staff recruitment, equal opportunities or the minor injuries. The provider accepted that the food allergy incident occurred as a result of a failure of the implementation of their policy on ensuring that special dietary needs were met and took immediate action to ensure that the incident could not be repeated, including a review of the policy, staff training and additional measures which demonstrated their intention to meet the requirements of the National Standards. The seventh complaint, regarding staff:child ratios and staff deployment, was investigated at the Children Act Inspection and the inspector found no evidence that the provider was failing to meet the National Standards with regard to staff: child ratios and staff deployment. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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 3 Continue to develop the key worker system including the recording of observations and assessments for individual children.

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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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