Play Away Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 03/12/2003 Inspector Name Nighat Ghani

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Play Away Day Nursery Setting Address Langdale Road Runcorn Cheshire WA7 5PY

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Play Away Day Nursery opened in 2001. It operates from a single story, purpose built building in Halton. It provides care to families throughout Halton and the surrounding areas. There are currently 46 children from three months to five years on roll. This includes twelve funded three year olds and one funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week all year round. Sessions are from 08:00 until 18:00. Sixteen full-time and one part-time staff work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. Five staff are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Play Away Day Nursery provides satisfactory care for children. Good relationships are developed with the children, who are happy, confident and secure within the setting. All staff have good practical skills in caring for children. Records are well organised, accurate and up to date though some aspects of the policies are incomplete. The key worker system does not include the younger children. Staff have good awareness of safety issues and take positive steps to promote health and safety within the setting, however staff do not carry out risk assessments. All staff have undertaken first aid training. Staff promote good hygiene practices which help children to learn about personal hygiene. Healthy, nutritious meals are provided and all dietary requirements are met. All children are included, valued and their individual needs met. The staff offer a good range of activities for older children, however in the younger age group there

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

are limited planned opportunities to participate in a wide range of sensory activities. The children have access to a stimulating range of toys and equipment, though opportunities to promote their independence are inhibited by the storage arrangements. The nursery has already implemented an assessment system though

p.2

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 this is not used to inform them planning for the children's future development. Staff interact well with the children, they talk, listen and ask questions which extend children's thinking. Staff manage children's behaviour well with consistent use of praise and encouragement which promotes their self esteem. The behaviour policy has a minor omission. Staff have good relationships with parents. Children are looked after according to parent's wishes. The gradual admission policy is helpful in ensuring that information about the children's needs is obtained prior to placement. All the policies and procedures are avilable to the parents.

p.2

What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the provider was asked to file individual staff's certificates of qualifications which were readily available during this inspection. The meal times have been revised so that children sit in their own rooms to have their meals. Equal opportunities, special needs and behaviour management policies have all been reviewed and are available for staff, parents and students.

p.3

What is being done well?

• Staff have good relationship with children, their interaction with children is warm and supportive. A wide range of activities are provided to older children. Children get the opportunity to play in a large secure out door play area. • Staff are aware of children's dietary needs. Meals and snacks are varied and balanced. • Staff are consistent, firm and gentle in their approach to behaviour. Staff discourage or redirect inappropriate behaviour. • All children's information is in place and shared with parents on regular basis. The nursery operates gradual admission process, which encourages staff, child and parents to get to know each other. • All policies and procedures are up to date and available for parents, staff and students.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• the planning and recording of a range of activities and play opportunities for younger children's overall development •• the implementation of a key worker system for the younger age group •• the assessment system to identify achievements as well as any gaps in children's development which can than used to inform future planning • the storage of the toys so that children can access these themselves and the provision of sufficient child size tables and some domestic style furniture in

p.3

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 the rooms for the younger children • the risk assessment of the premises identifying action(s) to be taken to minimize identified risks • the inclusion of bullying in the behaviour policy

p.3

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.

p.4

by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 3 Plan and record a range of activities and play opportunities for younger children’s overall development. 3 Develop the assessment system to identify achievements as well as any gaps in children’s development which can than used for future planning. 3 Implement key worker system in the younger age group 5 Store toys in such a way so that children can access themselves and arrange sufficient child size tables and some domestic style furniture in the rooms for the younger children. 6 Conduct a risk assessment on the premises identifying action(s) to be taken to minimize identified risks. 11 Include bullying in the behaviour policy.

p.4

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

p.4

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

p.5

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6